Brighton info

The origins of Brighton date back to the 5th Century AD and it is a town rich in history.
Popular with the Royal family in the 1700s and 1800s. The then Prince Regent, who
later became King George IV, first visited Brighton in 1783, as his physician advised
him that the seawater would be beneficial for his gout. In 1786 he rented a farmhouse
in the Old Steine area of Brighton. Being remote from the Royal Court in London, the
Pavilion was also a discreet location for the Prince to enjoy liaisons with his long-time
companion, Mrs Fitzherbert. The Prince had wished to marry her, and may have done
so secretly; however this was illegal owing to her Roman Catholic religion.
Henry Holland was soon employed to enlarge the building. The Prince also purchased
land surrounding the property, on which a grand riding school and stables were built
in an Indian style in 1803, to designs by William Porden. Between 1815 and 1822 the
designer John Nash redesigned the palace, and it is the work of Nash which can be
seen today. The palace looks rather striking in the middle of Brighton, having a very
Indian appearance on the outside. However, the fanciful interior design, primarily by
Frederick Crace and Robert Jones, is heavily influenced by both Chinese and Indian
fashion (with Mughal and Islamic architectural elements). It is a prime example of
the exoticism that was an alternative to more classicising mainstream taste in the
Regency style.
The Palace Pier was constructed in 1891 and the now ruined West Pier in 1912, both
have drawn the crowds over the years and the Palace Pier remains a popular tourist
hotspot. There are many other historical attractions in Brighton and several more
modern ones.

See our where to visit page for more information.