The Pagoda

Explore Kew Gardens - Virtual Tour

© 2005 Armchair Travel Co. Ltd. - This page may be used for non-commercial purposes ONLY!
Cheap holidays in Paphos
Cheap holidays in Paphos! Enjoy the lively seafront atmosphere. Traditional tavernas, charming cafés but a good nightlife too!
Holidays in Cyprus
Holidays in Cyprus are enriched by the abundance of churches, ruins and natural wonders. Book a holiday with us today!
Flowers
Lost for words? Well actions speak louder! Take action, get flowers. Whether to soothe, to express gratitude or passion, get flowers.
Home Based Franchise
Set up your own home based franchise through the Travel Counsellors. Visit our website online to find out how to start.
Portugal Holidays
Find great Portugal Holidays with Travel Counsellors. A personal Travel Counsellor can help you plan the perfect holiday to Portugal.
Gillian McKeith Diet Meal Plans
Do you want to change your lifestyle for the better? Discover Gillian McKeith's diet meal plans and top tips on healthy living.
Caribbean holidays
Here at The Holiday Place we have a range of wonderful world wide destinations for you to choose from. Check out our range of Caribbean holidays and pick one to suit you.
Christmas Wreaths
Our Christmas Wreaths feature an extremely strong wire frame to support your wreath and keep it looking fresh for years to come. Buy online today.
Outdoor Furniture...
Alfresco Living has a variety of good quality outdoor furniture... Check out the collection online!
ferns
Approximately 10,000 species of ferns are known.

Click here to Save    Click here to Print
Save as Microsoft      Print                  
Word document                           


© Explore Kew Gardens

In designing it, Sir William Chambers was reflecting the contemporary interest in the Orient. Each of its ten successive storeys diminishes by one foot in diameter and one foot in height between each storey. The tower was quickly but stoutly built and its stability was confirmed when it withstood several bombs, which fell nearby during the second world war. It also weathered the hurricane which did so much damage across southern England in 1987.


© Explore Kew Gardens

Originally its roofs were adorned by 80 dragons. It would appear that they were made of wood, covered with enamel paint but were removed when eventually they rotted.


© Explore Kew Gardens

When it was suggested some years ago that copies should be reinstated, these tentative drawings were made to show what the dragons looked like.

© Explore Kew Gardens

The Pagoda was originally flanked by two other exotic buildings: the Alhambra and the Mosque. The latter stood on a mound where the Japanese Gateway is now located. Part of a ditch and a fence which confined sheep and cattle to a grazing land can also be seen in this engraving.