The Pyramid House

The Pyramid House is a gazebo built between 1733 and 1740 by William Kent. It is constructed from ironstone ashlar and features a pyramidal roof covered with plain tiles from the mid to late 19th century, topped with a finial. The structure is one storey high and has a semi-circular archway with imposts that extend around the flanking buttresses. Above the archway is a pediment adorned with an Egyptian-style portrait relief. Inside, there are three niches and two portrait reliefs. The building was designed to provide a view over the River Cherwell towards eye-catching features in the parish of Steeple Aston. It is an unusual structure, likely inspired by Vanbrugh's earlier pyramid at Stowe. The Pyramid House is part of the landscape gardens designed by William Kent during the same period. Rousham Park, where it is located, is listed in the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission Register of Parks and Gardens at Grade I.