Royal Pavilion

The first time you clock the Royal Pavilion from the seafront, you'll think someone's transplanted an Indian palace straight into Brighton. Those onion domes, the minarets, the whole gloriously over-the-top exterior - it's genuinely mad, and that's precisely why it works. Built as a seaside retreat for the Prince Regent in the early 1800s, this isn't your typical stately home. Inside, the rooms are pure theatre: red silk damask walls, ornate plasterwork, furniture that looks like it's trying too hard. Some might say it succeeds.

You can wander through at your own pace, and the audio guide is decent if you're into the gossip around George IV and his dodgy decisions. The grounds are pleasant for a post-visit stroll. Most people spend 90 minutes here without feeling rushed, though dedicated types might stretch it to two hours. It's genuinely absorbing if you care about Regency excess and architectural drama; less essential if you're just doing the tourist tick-box. Families with restless kids might find it drags a bit.

Brighton itself makes a natural base - you're right there on the seafront. If you're camping, Pegs and Pitches is barely over a mile away, making it ideal for a couple of nights exploring the city. The Pavilion sits in the middle of everything, so you can easily pair it with the pebble beach, the pier, and the lanes without needing to drive.