Regency Town House, Brighton

The Regency Town House is a Grade I listed historic building located on Brunswick Square in Hove, part of the vibrant city of Brighton & Hove. Designed by the renowned Regency architect Charles Augustin Busby in the 1820s, this elegant townhouse epitomizes the Regency architectural style, known for its grandeur and refined details.

The Town House is in the process of being meticulously restored to its former splendor by a dedicated team of volunteers and staff led by curator Nick Tyson. This restoration project aims to transform the building into a museum and heritage center that will focus on the history of Brighton & Hove during the period from the 1780s to the 1840s.

Visitors to The Regency Town House can experience its historical charm on guided tours, during open days, or when it is being used for special events and exhibitions. The house is not open for free-flow visiting, ensuring that each visit is a carefully curated experience.

The Town House's interior reflects Regency-era opulence. The ground floor includes the dining room and parlor, with a waiting room and water closet on a half-landing. The first floor has elegant drawing rooms, which can be separated or combined for social events with folding doors. The upper floors, once bedrooms, now house restoration project offices. The basement, formerly for servants, still has access from the front and rear stables, revealing the household's behind-the-scenes workings.

The project includes 10 Brunswick Square, the last intact basement in the area, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of former servants. Visitors can explore the front basement, with its stone floor, various cellars, housekeeper's room, and large servant's hall that housed 8-12 workers. The kitchen, across a small courtyard, features a large skylight and is said to have been inspired by the kitchen layout of the Prince Regent's Brighton Pavilion.

Through its careful restoration and preservation, The Regency Town House serves as a vital link to the past, offering a window into the rich history and social fabric of Brighton & Hove during the Regency period.