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Brighton is ugly. The last stop on our trip, we decided it was ugly after only about two minutes into the city. Our reason for visiting Brighton was to see the Royal Pavilion, a farm house turned into an exotic palace by George IV in 1822. The Royal Pavilion itself is quite striking and well worth the visit. Opulent is probably the best way to describe it. A frivolous use of the taxpayers' money is another. It is quite obscene that some royalty did nothing but spend money - a movie describing a typical day at the Royal Pavilion when George IV visited explained that the major decisions with which he was faced revolved around his instructions to his tailor and chef (meals often involved over 60 different main dishes). But it makes for a nice place to tour now - the exterior is modeled after Indian architecture and the interior is of Chinese influence.

Later royalty did not like Brighton as much (perhaps because they did not enjoy secret liaisons there as George IV did), so the building and land were sold to the city. The furniture and other decorations were taken to other royal residences, much ending at Buckingham Palace. Since then, some has been returned to make the Royal Pavilion more authentic. The Royal Pavilion is the only former royal residence not owned by the state or royalty. No pictures are allowed to be taken inside - please see the website (the inside makes the ostentatious outside appear mundane)
Royal Pavilion

After seeing the Royal Pavilion, we walked down to Vanity Fair, also known as the Brighton Pier or Palace Pier. It is lots of flashy, gaudy booths, a carnival without the rides. The middle has a huge room with slot machines and video games. From the end of the pier one can view much of the ugly city.

Brighton: keep your eyes shut until you get to the Royal Pavilion, and then again on your way out until you clear the city limits.

After the pier we walked to our car and drove home. It was a varied trip, with famous history, quiet scenery, pleasant and ugly cities.