HUMP DAY HISTORY!

this week's history lesson:  Brighton's Royal Pavilion

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Brighton is the closest major city to where we live, a beautiful and vibrant seaside location with great nightlife, culture, shopping, and business (and maybe job opportunities, I haven't gotten that far yet).  It's very modern but also has a rich history, including that of its eye-catching landmark, the Royal Pavilion.

Beginning in 1787, the Pavilion was built and added to in three phases:

1)  The Prince of Wales (later to become King George IV), first became interested in Brighton in 1783 after visiting his uncle in this very fashionable city.  He was advised by his physicians that the seaside had medicinal effects and might cure his gout.  Shortly after, George acquired some land and a farmhouse in the area.  In 1787, when George got a raise in income from the House of Commons, he hired Henry Holland to build and expand the property into the Marine Pavilion.  Prince George also purchased the surrounding land where he built stables for over 60 horses.

This is what it might have looked like under Henry Holland's original design:

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2) In in early 1800s, George started to feel that the Marine Pavilion lacked the size and functionality for large social events he liked to host.  In 1815, John Nash was hired to expand and transform the small residence into the brilliant palace it is today.  The design of the exterior domes and interior decor borrowed heavily from Indian, Chinese, and Islamic architectural influences.
George spared no expense in this expansion to make sure the palace was modern and comfortable, including interior lighting, heating, and sanitation.
George's presence and the construction of his massive palace brought prosperity and people to Brighton.

3) When King George died in 1830, his brother William became king and inherited the palace. Only seven years later, King William died and the palace was passed on to his niece, Queen Victoria.  In 1837, Queen Victoria made her first royal visit to Royal Pavilion, which pleased the residents of Brighton greatly.  However, Queen Victoria, being a much more frugal Queen than her uncles before her, didn't care for the extravagance of the palace and soon found it to lack the space and privacy she needed for her growing family.  In 1850, Queen Victoria sold the palace to the town of Brighton for approximately £50,000 and moved her family's summer home to the Isle of Wight.  Assuming that the Royal Pavilion would be demolished by the town, she ordered that all of the internal fixtures and furniture be removed from the palace and divided amongst the other royal homes.  Years later, Queen Victoria and her royal successors returned much of the removed items which were useful in future restorations of the historic building.

Since the 1920s, the building has undergone several renovation and restoration projects to bring King George's original vision of the Royal Pavilion back to life.  Today, the Pavilion is a major tourist attraction in the south with approx. 400,000 visitors every year.

For about £10 you can go inside the palace and get a tour.
The Royal Pavilion Official Website

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I must admit I have only enjoyed the Pavilion from the outside but I hope to be able to cough up a few quid in the next few months to get a tour of the interior!  You know I'll be reporting on it when I do so keep reading!

Peace xoxo