Chinese Summerhouse, Victoria Park

From the early 18th century through to the late 19th century Chinese fashion, or Chinoiserie, was extremely popular in English gardens and parks. 

Two famous examples of Chinese-style pagodas that are still standing, are the Pagoda at Kew Gardens, built by Sir William Chambers, in 1760, and a cast iron Chinese Bell Tower, built between 1826 and 1832 by the Coalbrookdale Iron Company, which was installed as a fountain in the gardens at Alton towers.

The Chinese Summerhouse, at Victoria Park, was built in Knightsbridge in the traditional manner and was installed within Hyde Park as part of the Chinese Collection Exhibition of 1842. It cost £800. The 'Illustrated London News' described it as,

"It is of two stories; the veranda roof of the lower one being supported by vermilion-coloured columns, with pure white capitals, and over the doorway is inscribed, in Chinese characters, "Ten Thousand Chinese Things". Such summer-houses are usual in the gardens of the wealthy, in the southern provinces of China, often standing in the midst of a sheet of water, and approached by bridges and sometimes they have mother-of-pearl windows. Although this building is raised from the pathway, whence it is approached by a flight of steps, it is somewhat squatty proportioned. But such is the character of Chinese buildings."

Following the exhibition it was sold to Victoria Park, for £110, where it was placed on an island. At the time no bridges linked the island, but it still became a popular site for the locals of the East End. Many of the young East End children, who had never seen anything like it before, believed that a Chinese family lived there and came out at night to feed the ducks and swans.

In 1841, James Pennethorne was commissioned to design Victoria Park in which he envisaged a Chinese bridge, to complement the Pagoda, that would link the island on which it was to stand. However, due to rising costs, the Chinese bridge was never built with a cheaper one being built in its place. The original building was painted in red, blue and gold.

During World War II, the summerhouse was severely damaged by bombs dropping within the park. With money scarce the building fell into disrepair and, before it could be saved, was the subject of an arson attack.

In 1956, the Chinese summerhouse was felt to be beyond salvage, and was demolished. At the same time the bridges were removed and one side of the island was filled in, making the island part of the landscaped park.

In 2012, a replica pagoda was built, at a total cost of £200,000, and was sited on the exact location of the original, with almost identical dimensions. It stands at just over 12 metres (40 feet) in height. Its roof is made of zinc and is carefully detailed with the upswept roof line. The pinnacle and sphere, at the top, also match the original summerhouse. Gold-painted dragons face out from the corners of both roofs, while the rest of the structure is decorated in traditional colours. The interior walls of the pagoda are decorated with traditional Chinoiserie ornate patterns, with the lower parts of the walls clad in slate and a natural stone paving surrounding it.

While the pagoda was being constructed the rustic bridge was removed, so that the water channel could be re-excavated. This reinstated the island while also extending the lake. To finish off the refurbishment, Pennethorne's original 'Chinese Bridge' design was followed, with the bridge standing adjacent to the  location of the old rustic bridge.