Sadly maligned in the film that bears his name "The Madness of King George", George III was a progressive ruler and science advocate before the onset of his porphyria. He built an observatory in Richmond for the purpose of observing the Transit of Venus in 1769 and successfully observed it with his wife. The building has been restored exceptionally well by a Hong Kong shipping magnate as a private residence, but for November guided tours are offered. Here a few images of this historic building.