The Kings Observatory in the Old Deer Park has been occupied by the British Association, the Royal Society, the National Physical Laboratory and is now held in trust with Solaglas as the occupants and guardians. Guided visits are arranged on request and a small museum shows the history and evolving use of the building since the 18th century. The observing platform with the dome is original but the first telescope to be installed was moved to an observatory in Northern Ireland in the 19th century. The equipment shown is for opening and turning the dome. The telescope is a late 19th century refractor.
During the second world war the observatory was the offices of the UK weather service. Eisenhower - his headquarters in Bushey Park just 4 miles to the east - made his decision to launch the D-day landings based on advice from Group Captain James Martin Stagg and his staff at the Kew observatory. The Meteorological Office remained in the building until 1980.
