This is a great place to visit for a couple of hours when you are in Brighton. Although we went on a cold half-term in June it was not unduly crowded and was easy to make your way around and see everything.
Audio guides are supplied to everyone who buys a ticket – there are both child and adult versions. Personally I found they told me rather more than I wanted to know but realise I am the sort of person who likes to read guide books/sheets at my own speed, skipping some bits, rather than be told everything. Photography is not allowed which is a shame as I would have loved pictures of some of the contents and the gift shop could not have postcards of everything.
There are some fantastic ceilings and chandeliers as well as the Chinese influenced furniture and décor, overall glorious upmarket bling of a past era. The vast number of copper pans etc in the kitchen make you realise the effort that went into entertaining.
There is a short (18 min) film about the restoration etc of the building and it is well worth watching as it helps you realise the setbacks and problems they have overcome. The café on the first floor is very pleasant with good quality food which is not overpriced.
If you are in Brighton and do not have time to tour the interior it is still definitely worth while to wander round the gardens (free) and look at the exterior of this fascinating building.
