The King's Observatory

Now a private residence open for occasional public tours, The King's Observatory was built in Richmond in 1769 for King George III so he could observe (via a reflecting telescope in the dome) the passing of planet Venus between earth & the sun in June of that year.

The observatory appears in the background of this
1778 portrait.

Portrait of Queen Charlotte, wife of
George III, and their children.

Portrait of George III (later known
as Mad King George)

Wallpaper detail

In the dome

Rotating the dome

 

An Afternoon in Richmond

Richmond-upon-Thames is a very pleasant town in the west of London.

Richmond Green

Richmond Palace in 1501.  Elizabeth I died here in 1603.

This portal is one of the few remaining bits of the palace.

Crossing the motorway to get to the Deer Park.

Richmond Deer Park

Richmond Lock & Weir, built in 1894.

Along the Thames

Richmond Bridge, built in 1777.

Return to Kensington