The Royal Pavilion Brighton just got even more bonkers with the arrival of the ‘COLOUR’ Exhibition!
It’s always nice to visit The Royal Pavilion.
Being invited? Even better.
Finding something brand new to marvel at? That’s the cherry on top of this Regency sundae.
Following the restoration of the Saloon (where soft carpet meets shimmering silvery wallpaper) and the exhibition of the treasures loaned from Buckingham Palace (now, sadly, back in King Charles’ collection) comes a display of the vibrant colours that make the Prince Regent’s palace-by-the-sea so unique.
Regency Rainbow: The Colours that Dazzled the Prince Regent
The Pavilion has never been a place for the colour-shy. Prince Regent George, sometimes known as Prinny, was infamous for his extravagant taste. Now, thanks to this immersive new exhibition, visitors can see exactly why his seaside palace was the talk of the town in the 1820s.
Alongside the Pavilion’s usual decadent décor and furniture, COLOUR delves into the science, history, and sheer drama of the hues that defined the era.
Brilliant chrome yellow, deep Prussian Blue, glittering gold, sparkling silver and toxic green fill the rooms in a carefully choreographed kaleidoscope.
Even stately Queen Victoria, who didn’t much like the place, left her colourful mark with the jewel-bright emerald and purple bird motifs in the bedroom she rarely used.
We always love visiting the Royal Pavilion, it’s a feast for the senses; golden dragons, chandeliers the size of small planets, and enough silk to make a haberdasher weep. But now? It’s cranked up to FULL VOLUME.
The COLOUR exhibition, which is included in the regular admission price, has art installations, interventions and sensory experiences, backed up by a series of workshops and activities for all ages.
Taste the rainbow
Eat your heart out Skittles, Prinny got there way before you.
The Regent’s feasts were lavish affairs, running to dozens of courses, each more magnificent than the last. The eyes of his aristocratic guests were as tempted as the palate and stomach, as they chomped their way through fricassees and fruit fools, roasted beasts and quivering blancmanges, all served under dragon-infested chandeliers.
The banqueting hall at the Royal Pavilion is arguably the most spectacular of all its rooms at the best of times.
For the duration of the COLOUR exhibition (running until October 2025), visitors to the Banqueting Room will be treated to an extra splash of visual decadence. Glass jars filled with vibrant pigment powders sit alongside replica Regency dishes, paying homage to the dazzling displays of food that once graced these tables.
Towering pastel sherbets, shocking pink desserts, and golden-hued delicacies make it easy to imagine the sheer spectacle of a royal feast. It’s enough to make you want to pull up a chair and tuck in!
Fun, Games, and Hidden Surprises
The COLOUR Exhibition isn’t just about looking – it’s about experiencing.
As you approach the Pavilion, a brightly coloured pathway sets the tone, inviting visitors to explore, play, and discover. Inside the vast palace kitchen, interactive play allows younger visitors to build, design, and let their imaginations run wild. And for the sharp-eyed among you, keep a lookout for hidden chameleons, camouflaged in secret spots throughout the building.
Feeling fabulous? There are plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, including dress-up opportunities where you can channel your inner Regency dandy. We passed on the chance because… well, nobody needs to see a gurning Pork Belly!
Blending Past and Present
For us, one of the joys of the COLOUR exhibition is how it complements rather than overshadows the Pavilion’s historic grandeur. Some of the most striking additions are the simplest – hand-painted chairs, a delicate wood-and-paper bird sculpture (in the Royal toilet!), and a neon pink sign featuring a quote from 1829 that feels just as relevant today.
This isn’t just an exhibition – it’s a celebration of the Pavilion’s outrageous, vibrant, and utterly unique personality. And let’s be honest – that’s exactly what Prinny would have wanted.
Plan Your Visit: All the Details You Need
Visiting Brighton Pavilion in 2025
The Royal Pavilion is open April – September, 9.30am – 5.45pm (last admission 5pm) October – March, 10am – 5.15pm (last admission 4.30pm).
Closed on 25 and 26 December, and from 2.30pm on 24 December.
The COLOUR Exhibition is included in the price of admission.
Adults are £19, children £13.50 with various family ticket options.
All tickets are valid for a year and there are additional concessions for local residents.
As a historic building they try to make it as accessible as possible, but the building has two floors with only the ground floor accessible to wheelchair users.
It’s well served by public transport and is on level ground, close to the city centre and just a 5-minute walk from the seafront.
Full details on their website.
We feel very lucky to live nearby, but it’s only an hour from London, so jump on a train, hop on a bus and take a dazzling dive into history, art, and extravagance.
After which, stroll to the seafront for ice-cream and doughnuts!
We attended the COLOUR Exhibition as part of the press launch.
Images copyright © John Heinrich
Where to next?
• On the trail of the best Brighton street art
• Walk among the dead on the Brighton Tomb Trail
• Seaside Stories – a guided walk with personal tales of Brighton’s past