The Pagoda, Kew Gardens
This is one of six structures that survive from the 23 built to the designs of Sir William Chambers between 1758 and 1762. These were developed to the wishes of Princess Augusta, Dowager Princess of Wales, who with the advice of Lord Bute and the Scots gardener William Aiton were initiating Kew Gardens. Chambers had a great interest in Chinese art and the Pagoda was originally decorated with 80 dragons each covered with glass and with bells in their mouths. The dragons mysteriously disappeared after the death of George III as did some of the debts of George IV.
O/S Co-ords:1846.7605
Source(s):
Rural Walks around Richmond
Kew Past