Rotunda (Woolwich)

The Rotunda on Woolwich Common, in south-east London, is an 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 and premature victory reception of the allied sovereigns in the Napoleonic Wars 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 in 2001, the Rotunda has ceased to be open to the public, except by special arrangement.