K  e  w    G  a  r  d  e  n  s





When is something a folly, and when is it not ?
Probably the hardest question of all.
The quote on my home page from Lord Berner regarding the last large folly built in the UK, probably sums it up.

"The great point of this tower, is that it will be entirely useless".

With that in mind I would describe the follies at Kew in South West London, more as garden furniture, than as follies.
Although as 'garden furniture' goes these are surely the equivalent of a Chippendale.
There are several to choose from, so point your browser to the official
Kew Gardens   web site for full details.

Very briefly the best [to my mind] are:

The Pagoda
Without doubt Kew's most famous folly feature of all. Built in 1762 with 10 octagonal floors contributing to its 163 foot height. The roof was originally covered with ornate decorated ceramic tiles, but George IV sold these on.

The Campanile
This Italianate tower was conceived as [though never used as] a chimney for the Palm House boiler, which is a 100m away, it had a tunnel linking the two structures. (An identical situation to Wainhouse's Folly   in Halifax.)  

King William's Temple
Built in 1837 to complement the Temple of Victory (the latter no longer standing).

Temple of Arethusa
Built by William Chambers in 1758.

Temple of Bellona
Bellona was the Roman goddess of war and companion of the god Mars, some accounts say a wife, others his daughter or sister, so best not to look any deeper.
It was built in 1760 but was moved later to its present site.


Temple of Aeolus
Built around 1760, and an ideal place to rest on a summers day.

Co-Ords: 518415 176885 / TQ 184768  

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