The Thames from Hampton Court to Sunbury Lock

Garrick’s Temple

David Garrick had the temple built in 1755 as a monument to Shakespeare, although he used it for parties too.

 

The architect is unknown—some people say it was Robert Adam, but he was out of the country on a Grand Tour from 1754 to 1758.

 

Others think it was Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown (1715-1783).

 

Garrick commissioned Louis Roubiliac to sculpt a bust of Shakespeare that was displayed in a niche opposite the door of the temple. The bust is now in the King’s Library at the British Museum.

 

When asked by Garrick how he liked the new summer house, Dr Johnson said “Ah, David, it is the leaving of such places as these that makes a death bed terrible.”

 

 

 

 

Garrick’s Temple seen from the Surrey Bank, with Hampton Church to the left

Garrick’s Temple is open to the public (Sunday afternoons, Spring and Summer), unlike most of the other places shown on this website