This weekend gives you the chance to view the splendour of the interior of George IV's seaside pleasure palace free of charge.

This popular annual event marks the purchase of the building from the Crown by the city's town commissioners in 1850.

Under the direction of the young George, Prince Of Wales, the building was transformed from a modest farmhouse into a breathtaking Oriental fantasy in the early-19th Century.

The architecture, primarily the work of John Nash, matched the personality of its patron - decadent and ostentatious.

The interior is just as theatrical in spirit as the minarets and pagodas which adorn the building's exterior. Gilt dragons, vast domed ceilings and Chinese canvases are among the many unforgettable sights contained within.

The tea rooms will open for refreshments and expert guides will be on hand to provide a 20-minute introductory talk on the Pavilion's history at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, and 3.30pm.

There will be a £2 fee for the talks and audio guides can also be hired for £2.50.

  • Admission free, open 10.15am-5.15pm.

Call 01273 290900 or visit www.royalpavilion.org.uk. Easy wheelchair access is available.