The Temple of Bellona – Kew Gardens, Richmond upon Thames, London, England

This grade II Listed building was built by Sir William Chambers in 1760. It is named after Bellona, the Roman goddess of war. The temple originally stood close to Princess Augusta’s menagerie at the northern end of Kew but was moved in 1802 to its present location just south of the Victoria Gate.

The temple has a Doric façade, behind which is a room decorated with plaques. These bear the names of British and Hanoverian regiments, which distinguished themselves during the Seven Years’ War (1756–63).

The temple of Bellona’s columns were restored when it was initially moved. Further works were undertaken in the 1980s. In 1985, a workman investigating dry rot in the temple was surprised to find it made of wood, saying, 'If you go round the back you can see the laths. It’s only softwood, and I am amazed it stood up so well after 225 years. Fire destroyed part of the roof in 1987.