Pagoda
The Pagoda was completed in 1762. The ten-storey octagonal structure is 163 ft high (nearly 50 m).
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Pagoda
Did you know?
- when the Pagoda was completed in 1762 it was the tallest reconstruction of a Chinese building in Europe
Historical information
The Pagoda tapers, with successive floors from the first to the topmost being 1 ft less (30 cm) in diameter and height than the preceding one. The original building was very colourful; the roofs being covered with varnished iron plates, with a dragon on each corner. There were 80 dragons in all each carved from wood and gilded with real gold.
There have been several restorations, mainly to the roofs, but the original colours and the dragons have not been replaced though the question of replica dragons was discussed in 1979.
The Pagoda is closed to the public although in 2006 it briefly opened for public access. Those who climbed its 253 steps were rewarded with spectacular views across the gardens and across London, with the London Eye, the new Wembley Stadium and as far as Canary Wharf all visible.
To see for yourself the amazing view from the top of Kew's Pagoda, take a look at our interactive Pagoda panorama, photographed in Autumn 2009.
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4 comments on 'Pagoda'
Brian M Stratton says
10/01/2010 5:29:56 PM | Report abuse
The Pagoda is well worth viewing and maybe a compromise could be to open it on the first Sunday of each month. This would naturally restrict the amount of visitors thus preserving the infrastructure whilst at the same time providing an opprtunity to visit it.
Bryan Deane says
14/11/2009 12:50:35 PM | Report abuse
We have been visiting Kew for well over twenty years, and the Pagoda has always been closed, except for the few months a couple of years ago, when we were delighted to go up and see the view from the top. While the structure may not cope with daily traffic, if it could be open a couple of months a year, that would be great!
Kew Digital Media Team says
12/10/2009 7:42:00 PM | Report abuse
Thank you for your comment Dorrit. I've forwarded your comment on to our feedback team. We will post any update we receive in this thread.
Dorrit Lowe says
06/10/2009 12:28:00 PM | Report abuse
We went up the pagoda in 2006, and enjoyed the view very much. We were disappointed to find it is now closed again. Why is it closed? And why is there no information about the closure, either at the gate or on the pagoda itself?