Brighton promises a great day out or even a weekend away with the upcoming bank holiday weekend. Especially as the Royal Pavilion has opened a brand-new exhibition that celebrates the magic and meaning of colour through immersive displays, art installations, and sensory experiences.
COLOUR will run until 19 October 2025, celebrating the vibrant hues of the Royal Pavilion. This exhibition explores how colour shaped the palace’s extravagant design, inviting visitors to experience the bold and dramatic style that makes it one of Britain’s most unique landmarks.
The exhibition features stunning photo opportunities, including a hand-painted “rainbow road” by artist Lois O’Hara, guiding visitors through the gardens to the Pavilion’s grand entrance. Lois’ unique style, with bold colours and flowing shapes, is designed to spark movement and emotion, creating a visual story full of energy and creativity.
Lois said: “I wanted to create an artwork that feels full of life, lifts people’s spirits, and draws them into a sense of movement and energy.
“Pathways of Joy is all about stepping into that flow and feeling the colours and shapes come to life around you. Nature is always changing. Its colours shift and blend, and I wanted to capture that feeling using colour to bring joy and make the space feel truly alive.”
Emma Bestley. Creative Director and Co-Founder of YesColours added: “‘Pathways of Joy’ is a vibrant celebration of the movement and energy of colour, perfectly complementing the bold, expressive spirit of the Royal Pavilion. We’ve helped bring this vibrant vision to life with our sustainable paints, proving colour isn’t just seen but felt. We hope this artwork sparks joy, creativity, and a deeper connection to the beauty around us”.
The Pavilion’s vibrant Regency rooms have been brought to life with lighting, sound, and colour-themed objects. Highlights include the Banqueting Room, which has been transformed into a dazzling Feast of Colour, complete with multi-coloured fantasy food and jars of vivid pigment.
Visitors can also see exclusive artist collaborations, such as a bespoke hat designed by legendary British milliner Stephen Jones, a paper flower display that turns a floral carpet into 3D by Karen Hsu, and an exquisite Bird of Paradise created by Zack Mclaughlin.
For the first time, the Great Kitchen will become an interactive area of colourful play for children. Visitors will be visually stimulated by rarely seen costumes and objects and invited to hear colour with a special immersive soundtrack in the Music Room. Cami the Chameleon will take children on a colourful journey of the Pavilion, while adults can discover the historical significance of every magnificent room.
Alexandra Loske is the Curator of the Royal Pavilion and a colour historian whose work is informed by extensive research. Some of her notable curated exhibitions include: – A Right Royal Spectacle: The Coronation of George IV (2023) – Designing an Enchanted Palace (2020-21) – Jane Austen by the Sea (2017-18.
Dr. Loske’s journey exemplifies resilience. She began her doctoral research at 38 while caring for a young child. She is now the curator at the Royal Pavilion and Preston Manor, where she preserves and interprets their cultural significance.
Designed by architect John Nash for King George IV in the early 19th century, Brighton’s Royal Pavilion is one of the UK’s most extraordinary historic sites. Its blend of Indian and Chinese-inspired architecture with lavish, unconventional interiors reflects George IV’s flair for opulence and innovation. A true Brighton landmark, its striking design fascinates visitors worldwide, making it a must-see destination for those drawn to its rich history, artistic grandeur, and unique cultural significance.
Alexandra said: “Brighton’s Royal Pavilion is one of the most unusual and pioneering historic buildings of its time. It’s always been a masterpiece of colour. This exhibition lets visitors experience it in a new way – immersing themselves in the shades and textures that made it a sensation in the 1820s and continue to today.
“The palace interior is as much a work of art as the building itself. Each room is devoted to a specific colour and emotion, featuring carefully curated artistic interventions demonstrating how colour was used to evoke feelings and create enchanting and sensual interiors in the 1820s.”
Alongside the exhibition, Brighton & Hove Museums has lined up a packed programme of events, including paint and sip workshops, conversations in colour talks, a Pride Family Picnic, and even a Silent Disco.
Brighton & Hove Museums, a charitable trust formed in October 2020, manages the Royal Pavilion & Museum Trust and is supported by Arts Council England, Brighton & Hove City Council, and public donations. They offer diverse exhibitions and events year-round, appealing to many visitors.
The exhibition runs from 19 October 2025. Book tickets at brightonmuseums.org.uk
For more events, visit: https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/colour-at-the-royal-pavilion/colour-events/
By Donna Richardson.
