Is Brighton Pavilion a royal palace

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A.� It was - but it isn't any more.< xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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Q.� So what happened

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Q.� Why

A.� For a start, it was a magnificent tourists attraction. It was also a useful building for council offices and served as Brighton's corn exchange.

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Q.� History, please.

A.� Seasides became fashionable in the 18th Century when the sea air and brine was acclaimed as a cure for most ailments. Brighton, until then a fishing and farming community, became popular. As the gentry arrived, amusements were developed - particularly the theatre and gambling casinos. Young George, the Prince of Wales, loved the place. When he became 21 in 1783, he fled the stifling London court and headed for trendy Brighton.

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Q.� Where did he live

A.� Hew rented a farmhouse from Thomas Kemp in 1787 for �1,000 a year. George started having work done and architect Henry Holland created a neo-classical villa on the site, which became known as Marine Pavilion. Onion-shaped cupolas were added by architect P F Robinson in 1804. The prince eventually bought the pavilion for �17,000 and had it transformed into its current Indian-Chinese style by John Nash between 1815 and 1822. The style has been called 'Hindoo-Gothic'.

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Q.� Impressive

A.� I've never seen anything else quite like it. Among the most impressive parts are the long gallery, which has cast iron staircases disguised as bamboo. The walls were decorated with rocks, trees, shrubs and birds in subdued tones of blue on a pink background. Bamboo-pattern cabinets and pedestrian line the walls, as well as pagodas, bottles and Chinese figures. And that's nothing, compared with the banqueting room.

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Q.� Grand

A.� The chandelier is tremendous! It weighs a ton, is 30ft long, and held in the claws of a silver dragon. Below, through a fountain of glass, six smaller dragons exhale light though lotus glass shades. The effect, said George's guests, was dazzling. The music room is also particularly interesting. That was almost destroyed in an arson attack in 1975. One of the wall paintings (returned by Victoria in the 1860s) did not survive and had to be reproduced. The gilt dome was restored after a decade and a hand-knotted carpet reproduced from old drawings. Then disaster struck again.

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Q.� More vandalism

A.� No - a natural force. A stone ornament fell during the hurricane of October, 1987, smashed through the beautiful roof and on to the carpet. More intricate repairs were undertaken. The restoration goes on all the time - for this is a palace of over-the-top charm where the gilt always impresses. Make sure you give it a visit.

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By Steve Cunningham