Great Pagoda

The Great Pagoda is a ten-story tower in Kew Gardens with curved roofs covered in green and white tiles arranged in an eight-sided pattern. Each octagonal floor is edged with railings featuring Chinese Chippendale designs, creating a distinctive silhouette against the sky.

Architect William Chambers designed the pagoda in 1762 as a gift for Princess Augusta, the founder of Kew Gardens. He had spent time in China and applied his firsthand knowledge of Chinese design to this ambitious garden structure.

The structure reflects how 18th-century British society embraced Chinese design as trade routes opened new possibilities for artistic inspiration. The tiles and railings show how these distant forms became woven into English garden traditions.

Visitors can access the viewing platform by climbing 253 steps, which offers views across London and the Richmond area. The staircase is narrow and steep, so wear comfortable shoes and allow time to move at a steady pace.

During World War II, the Ministry of Defence used the tower as a testing ground for bomb trajectories by dropping prototypes through openings cut into each floor. The holes created by this unusual wartime purpose remain visible in some floors today.

Location: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

Inception: 1762

Architects: William Chambers

Architectural style: chinoiserie

Floors above the ground: 10

GPS coordinates: 51.47129,-0.29578

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02