Follies · London
Ruined Arch
In or near Thames Ditton.
Ruined Arch — Folly or eyecatcher.
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Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 20 min–45 min
- Nearest railway station
- Kew Gardens · 0.7 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
- Wheelchair accessible
About
Ruined Arch is a folly in London — built more for the eye than for any practical purpose, and a reminder of the British landscape's appetite for the eccentric. Built or established in 1759, it dates from the Georgian period. It sits within the Richmond Park parliamentary constituency. The nearest railway station is Kew Gardens, about 0.7 km away. Postcode area TW9.
Photo gallery
See it from the streetimagery from 2026
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Official information
The Marianne North Gallery at Kew Gardens features over 800 paintings by the 19th-century botanical artist Marianne North. The gallery showcases her unique approach to capturing plants in their natural environments, providing a historical record of the landscapes she explored. Visitors can enjoy the collection, which is displayed in geographical order, allowing them to trace North's journeys through various regions.
Place summary
Ruined Arch is a folly located in Richmond upon Thames, London, established in 1759. This Georgian structure is notable for its distinctive architectural style and serves as a remnant of 18th-century landscape design.
AI-generated from the structured facts on this page (operator, designation, listing, era). Not a substitute for visiting.
- Coordinates
- 51.4739, -0.2930
- District
- Richmond upon Thames
- Parish
- Richmond upon Thames, unparished area
- Postcode
- TW9 2AA
- Parliamentary constituency
- Richmond Park
- Established
- 1759
- Nearest railway station
- Kew Gardens — 0.7 km
- Official site
- www.kew.org
Sources
- osm: n30442330 (ODbL)
- commons: Kew Ruined Arch 20190718 120249 (48314299951).jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby

Marianne North Gallery
Galleries · 0.1 km

Shirley Sherwood Gallery
Galleries · 0.1 km

Stop 2 - Temperate House
Historic houses · 0.1 km

Replica of Donatello's David in the Temperate House, Kew Gardens
Public art & sculpture · 0.2 km

Temperate House
Historic houses · 0.2 km

Shepherd by John Cheere
Public art & sculpture · 0.2 km

St Luke's Church, Kew
Historic churches · 0.3 km
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King William's Temple
Memorials & monuments · 0.3 km
Pagoda
Follies · 0.3 km

Cruciform Sundial
Public art & sculpture · 0.4 km

Temple of Bellona
Follies · 0.4 km

Stop 3 - The Great Pagoda
Natural landmarks · 0.4 km
Nearby
Galleries · London
Marianne North Gallery
Marianne North Gallery — a gallery in england-london, United Kingdom.
Galleries · London
Shirley Sherwood Gallery
Shirley Sherwood Gallery — a gallery in england-london, United Kingdom.
Historic houses · London
Stop 2 - Temperate House
Stop 2 - Temperate House — a other in england-london, United Kingdom.
Public art & sculpture · London
Replica of Donatello's David in the Temperate House, Kew Gardens
Replica of Donatello's David in the Temperate House, Kew Gardens in England London, United Kingdom.
Historic houses · London
Temperate House
Temperate House — a Grade I-listed historic house in england-london, United Kingdom.
Public art & sculpture · London
Shepherd by John Cheere
Shepherd by John Cheere in England London, United Kingdom.
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Ruined Arch?
- Ruined Arch is in London, United Kingdom (postcode TW9 2AA), in the parish of Richmond upon Thames, unparished area.
- What is Ruined Arch?
- Ruined Arch — Folly or eyecatcher.
- How do I get to Ruined Arch?
- The nearest railway station is Kew Gardens, about 0.7 km away. Drivers can use postcode TW9 2AA.
- When was Ruined Arch built?
- Built or established in 1759.
- Is Ruined Arch free to visit?
- Yes, Ruined Arch is free to enter.
- How do I get to Ruined Arch?
- The nearest railway station is Kew Gardens, about 0.7 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode TW9 2AA.