Rotunda (Woolwich)

The Rotunda entrance at Green Hill

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 bell tent erected in St. James's Park in 1814 for a special exhibition[1] and premature victory reception of the allied sovereigns in the Napoleonic Wars[2] but its architect John Nash turned it into a permanent structure with a lead roof and central supporting pillar.

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 in nearby Napier Lines Barracks.

References

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  1. ↑ Museum of Artillery in the Rotunda On Greewich Council museum website
  2. ↑ Encyclopaedia Britannica 1911 entry

Coordinates: 51°29′03″N 0°03′11″E / 51.4842°N 0.0530°E / 51.4842; 0.0530

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