You may think that this week I’ve chosen to wander somewhere exotic, a Moroccan souk or Indian palace. Actually, I’m only an hour or so from where I live, in the lovely but much-less-exotic Brighton, on the south coast of England. This is the Brighton Pavilion.
The Pavilion actually started life as a much more modest farmhouse, which the Prince of Wales, later George IV, rented as a convenient place to see his longtime love, Maria Fitzherbert, whom he was forbidden to marry. In 1787 he decided he’d like grander accommodation, so incorporated the farmhouse into one wing of a larger building. Construction continued until 1822 and took several stages, with renowned architect John Nash overseeing the final phase, giving it the appearance it has today.
Brighton at the time was gaining in popularity as a seaside town, thanks to the Prince’s uncle, the Duke of Cumberland, who had held a residence there for several years. For many years the Pavilion was the summer home of the Royal Family, until Queen Victoria decided it was too ‘cramped’ and not private enough. She decided to move to the Isle Of Wight for her summer holidays instead, and so the Pavilion was sold to the town of Brighton in 1850, for the sum of £53,000, a fortune in those days (and not too bad today, either!)
The Pavilion is now open to the public, and features the most wonderfully opulent interiors. I didn’t go inside on my last visit but plan to do so next time, and of course I’ll share the photos when I do.
Even though the day I visited was bitterly cold, it was bright and clear, perfect for viewing fantasy minarets against an azure sky. In some ways it reminded me of Hearst Castle, another place built by a man to spend time with the woman he loved but couldn’t marry – a perfect folly.
Thanks for coming on another Wednesday Wander with me – see you next time!
If you enjoyed this post and want to read more, you can find me on Twitter @AuthorHelenJ, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Plus my latest book release, A Thousand Rooms, is now available on Amazon.
Helen Glynn Jones 
What a neat place, and I love the history lesson behind it. I am looking forward to your next round of pictures.
Thanks Allie – any chance you might get down to see it when you’re here? And I’m really looking forward to meeting you! 🙂
Fingers crossed 🙂 I am really looking forward to meeting you too!
Yay! It’s going to be here soon enough – this year is flying by 🙂
Lovely shots, Helen. I really enjoyed this Wednesday Wander. 🙂
Thanks, Karen, really glad you enjoyed it. It’s quite a wonderful place to see 🙂
And it is definitely a place to visit, Helen. 🙂
*smiles and adds to TVL*
*smiles too* And ooh, a TVL! That’s what it’s called. I have quite a long list, that’s for sure 🙂
This is gorgeous. I’m reading a MG novel with my son right now (we LOVE this series: The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place) and they’ve just gone on holiday to the seaside town of Brighton so your post was extra fun. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Ooh how timely! I haven’t read those books, so will have a look (for my own kiddo too).
And glad you liked the photos – I’m very keen to head back and go inside…
Great shots, Helen.
Thanks, Kev! It’s such a lovely place it’s hard not to take a few decent photos 🙂
Oh, you absolutely must always take photos, Helen. 😀
Thanks, Kev. I do love taking photos, and being able to do so with my phone makes it so much easier 🙂
I need to upgrade my phone before I attempt that. My camera’s not that flash either (see what I did there, wink, wink.) but it’ll do for me. I’m a crap photographer at best anyway. Lol 😀
Haha, nice one, Kev 🙂 And don’t sell yourself short, I’m sure you’re a fine photographer!
Lol… You obviously haven’t seen many of my photos… I end up deleting half of them anyway! 😁
That’s the beauty of digitial photography! Believe me, I delete a lot too 🙂
Lol… Thanks, HELEN! 😀
😀 You’re welcome, Kev!
This is where my partner and I had our civil partnership, Helen. It was in the Music room and we all had a tour of the pavilion after we got hitched. Hopefully, I’ll be able to show you the photos one day.
Oh Hugh, what a wonderful place to have your ceremony! I’m quite envious, I must confess. And I’d love to see the photos one day, yes please 🙂
That’s one of my bucket list places to see. I’ve read so much about it, with all the Regency novels I’ve consumed in my time. Plus, every time I see the name Brighton, I hear the whine of Lydia Bennet from the 1995 Pride & Prejudice: “But I want to go to Briiiighton!” 🙂
Yes, it was on my list as well – quite a thrill to see it! And it’s right in the town centre – the stables that were part of the estate (in a similar style of architecture) are now a theater. I love that about living here – treasure in plain sight 🙂 Hope you get to see it one day.
Beautiful! Interesting post.
Thanks, Mas! It is a really gorgeous place 🙂
Fab post Helen, lovely little history lesson too – the Pavilion is so photogenic! I recently visited and stayed at The Grand Hotel Brighton which was a pretty cool experience; have you been here before? I also really enjoyed the surrounding areas, so gorgeous in the sunshine!
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed the post! The Pavilion is fabulous, isn’t it? One of the favourite buildings I’ve seen, but then I love that sort of flamboyant architecture. I haven’t stayed at the Grand, but it does look rather wonderful – sadly, our Brighton visit was only a day trip last time I went. There’s always next time though… 🙂