Woolwich Rotunda

The Rotunda on Woolwich Common, in south-east London, is a former artillery museum which was established in 1820. The building was originally a very large wooden rotunda, designed by the Whig architect, John Nash. Intended as a temporary structure, it was erected on the grounds of Carlton House, in 1814, for use as an additional reception room for the many events hosted there by the Prince Regent in celebration of the allied victory over Napoleon. The first event held in the wooden rotunda was a magnificent celebration in honor of the Duke of Wellington, in July of 1814. The Regent ordered the removal of the rotunda from the grounds at Carlton House, in 1818. John Nash had hoped it would be converted into a church. However, the Regent directed that it be re-erected on Woolwich Common for use as a museum by the Royal Artillery.

When the building was re-erected in Woolwich, in 1820, its original architect, John Nash, turned it into a permanent structure with a lead roof and central supporting pillar.

In 1973 the Rotunda was designated as a Grade II.

Since most of its exhibits were transferred to the Firepower museum at the Royal Arsenal in 2001, the Rotunda has ceased to be open to the public, except by special arrangement. The building is now used as a boxing ring by the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, housed in the nearby Napier Lines Barracks.

Text imported from Wikipedia article "Rotunda, Woolwich" and modified on July 23, 2019 according to the CC-BY-SA 4.0 International license.