Pavilions from across the UK

Today's vintage blog post covers the subject of Pavilions. Over the years I seem to have collected quite a few pavilions on postcards, a handful of which I'll share below. From my research it's good to see that many are still in use today, albeit serving different purposes than originally intended ... the concert hall has indeed been replaced by the shopping centre.

De La Warr Pavilion and Colonade, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, c.1956

The De La Warr Pavilion is one of the UK's earliest buildings to be built in the Modernist style. It was commissioned in 1935 by the 9th Earl De La Warr using the architects Serge Chermayeff and Erich Mendelsohn.

The Pavilion by Night, Brighton, Sussex, c.1933

The Pavilion in Brighton, also referred to as the Royal Pavilion, was built at the beginning of the 19th century for George IV, then Prince Regent, and frequented by Regency society

The Pavilion, Victoria Park, Leicester

I think this is the 'original' Leicester Pavilion which was damaged during the war and later reconstructed.

Promenade and Pavilion, Llandudno, Wales

Opened in 1886, surviving until 1994 when it was largely destroyed by vandalism followed by a fire. Originally popular as a Victorian holiday attraction, and later as a venue for political conferences, where allegedly one Margaret Thatcher set her mind on a career in politics.

The Pavilion, Torquay, Devon, c.1914

Opened in 1912 as a concert hall. Concerts were held in the pavilion until 1976. Alas it's now a shopping centre, but at least it's still standing.

The Pavilion, Ramsgate, Kent, c.1910

The Ramsgate Pavilion was opened in 1904 by one of Queen Victoria's daughters. It's now a casino.

The Pier, Bandstand and White Rock, Pavilion, Hastings, Sussex, c.1954

Built in 1927 for concerts and theatre performances. Still in use today.


Check out my web site for these and other vintage postcards