Great Pagoda

The Great Pagoda stands in Kew Gardens, a botanic garden in southwest London. Built in 1761 by Sir William Chambers for Princess Augusta, it rises 163 ft across ten storeys. The building is made of grey brick with wooden pillars on the ground floor and arcaded balconies above. Chinese Chippendale railings line each balcony, and the roofs once wore green and white tiles before being replaced by lead. Eighty dragons once crowned the roofs, removed in the 18th century and restored in 2018. The pagoda reflects 18th-century fascination with Chinese art after increased trade with the East. Chambers, who had sailed to China with the Swedish East India Company, drew inspiration from Cantonese pagodas like the Chigang and Pazhou. His design was completed in six months, impressing contemporaries such as Horace Walpole, who wrote of its visibility from great distances. During the Second World War, the tower served as a munitions test site, leaving it in a poor state by the late 20th century. Visitors now climb 253 steps to the viewing gallery, where the restored dragons stand once more. The interior features carefully replicated details based on historical evidence, including wooden and nylon dragons. The restoration won design awards for its attention to original features. The pagoda remains a Grade I listed building and a notable example of chinoiserie architecture. Its height and design continue to draw attention in the gardens.