Royal Pavilion
Former royal residence of George IV in central Brighton, with John Nash’s Indo-Saracenic exterior (roughly 1815 to 1823) and chinoiserie state rooms by Frederick Crace and Robert Jones. Among Britain’s clearest standing lessons in how a European court performed Asian design as power and pleasure. Open year-round with seasonal hours: roughly 9:30 to 17:45 April to September (last entry 17:00) and 10:00 to 17:15 October to March (last entry 16:30). Book through Brighton & Hove Museums. In 2026 the Dragons programme runs 28 March through 1 November, free with Pavilion admission; confirm exhibitions and last-entry times before you leave London.
- Address
- Pavilion Gardens, Brighton BN1 1EE, United Kingdom
- Official website
- Visit site ↗
- Country
- United Kingdom
While you're there
Pavilion Gardens puts the Lanes and the seafront a short walk away. Do the Pavilion interiors first, then the pier or a Lanes lunch; trains back to London are frequent from Brighton station. Confirm timed tickets in peak summer.
Pro Tip: If you are coming for Dragons in 2026, still book a timed Pavilion ticket; the programme is free with admission, but the rooms still fill with the mid-morning tour-bus wave.
- Best for
- A timed Pavilion visit with Lanes and seafront afterward.
- Pair with
- Palace of Versailles as the diplomatic room that opens the same Ambassadors chapter.
- Season / timing
- Dragons programme 28 March through 1 November 2026; summer weekends bring the heaviest tour-bus waves.