Richmond in Greater London, England, United Kingdom
King William’s Temple
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 10, 2018
1. King William’s Temple Marker
Fit for a king but given to a queen: built 1837
When Sir Jeffry Wyatville began designing this building King William IV was old but in good health. By the time the royal architect had finished in 1837, the king had died.
Presented to his successor Queen Victoria, the temple was dedicated to to the king's memory. Step inside though and you'll see a clue as to its original name: the Temple of Military Fame.
The cast iron plaques feature British victories from 1760 to 1815, the most famous being against Napoleon at Waterloo. The building was originally intended to complement the Temple of Victory (near to where the Temple of Bellona stands now), which has since been destroyed.
Image from Kew’s Library Art and Archives © Board of Trustees RGB Kew
To find out more about our collection and the work of our archive team go to kew.org/library
Absent gods
Statues of Apollo and Zephyr used to guard the entrance to the Temple, but these are now on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 10, 2018
2. King William’s Temple
this page online
Location. 51° 28.606′ N, 0° 17.69′ W. Marker is in Richmond, England, in Greater London. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Kew Road and Lichfield Road, on the left when traveling north. Located in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond, England TW9 3JR, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Temple of Bellona (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Chinese Guardian Lions (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Kew Guild War Memorial (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Barbara Everest (approx. half a kilometer away); The Queen’s Garden (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); The Fox (approx. 4 kilometers away); Orangery Project (approx. 8.1 kilometers away); Victoria R (approx. 8.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
Also see . . .
1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. (Submitted on June 13, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 13, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 10, 2018
3. King William’s Temple
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 104 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 13, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
