Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Unesco World Heritage Site
Kew Gardens, as the Botanic Gardens are usually called, are situated on the south west outskirts of London about 7 miles from the centre of the city. It is one of the most interesting and beautiful places to visit in the capital with almost forty Grade 1 or Grade 2 Listed Buildings, set in 300 acres (121 hectares) of beautiful grounds.
It is internationally important for botanic research and the conservation of plants. It has the world's largest collection of living plants and over seven million preserved plants. The Gardens are also home to huge botanic library and collection of drawings and prints of plants.
It was one of my favourite places to visit when I lived in South London and only 30 minutes away by car - not bad in London's traffic. I've always loved it because there is so much to see.
There are the most amazing plants and trees. The architecture of the various buildings is stunning and anybody can spend the whole day in Kew Gardens without a moment of boredom. Above all, no matter how many visitors are there, you can always find quiet, peaceful places to sit and refresh your mind and spirit.
The Palm House, Kew Gardens
Palm House Kew Gardens, London, England Photographic Print
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Probably the most famous of Kew's buildings, this tropical glasshouse was built in the 1848. Currently among the important species growing there are bananas, pawpaws, breadfruit and mangoes.
Behind the Palm House a new rose garden is being replanted to the original mid 19th century design. The gardens at the front are replanted in line with the seasons and also to celebrate important anniversaries, and to illustrate botanical themes. For example, now (autumn 2009) these beds feature plants useful to man to provide food, clothing and medicines.
The Princess of Wales Conservatory
Built in honour of one Princess of Wales and opened by another
The Princess of Wales Conservatory
Copyright © Diliff - Creative Commons License
The conservatory was built to honour the Princess of Wales, Augusta, who founded the gardens in the 17th century. It was ceremonially opened by Diana, Princess of Wales when it was completed in 1987.
This amazingly large and complicated glasshouse contains ten different climatic zones from damp tropical to arid and includes a mangrove swamp, a giant Amazonian waterlily, aloe vera, sisal and carnivorous (meat eating) plants.
The Gardens at Kew
The Gardens at Kew
This beautifully illustrated book takes a comprehensive look at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It covers the history, its role in conservation and research and, of course, it looks at the plants - the most important part of the Gardens.
Anybody with an interest in plants, conservation or gardening will love this book. The pictures alone will keep anybody spellbound for a long time. The information in the book is well written and interesting.
Two people have rated the book on Amazon.com and both gave it five stars.
A Date Palm in the Temperate House
The Temperate House
Home of the world's largest indoor plant
Interior of the Temperate House, Kew Gardens, Photographic Print
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Built in the early 1860s, this is the largest surviving Victorian glass building and is home to world's biggest indoor plant, the Chilean wine-palm. Currently it stands 52ft high and was grown from seed here at Kew. There is another smaller one to take the giant's place when it completely outgrows its present position.
The temperate house contains plants from Australia, the Pacific Islands, South Africa, North America, parts of Asia and the Mediterranean. Here you can see tea plants, date palms, citrus, fuchsias, banksias, and salvias.
As well as the world's largest indoor plant, this glasshouse contains one of the world's rarest plants. It is a cycad, Encephalartos woodii and there are only a very few examples of this plant in the world. It was given to Kew Gardens by the Natal National Park in South Africa. There are a number of other endangered plants here too.
It's a very pretty glasshouse, both inside and out with the advantage that it is a comfortable temperature making for relaxing conditions for just strolling around and enjoying the plants.
A Year at Kew
A Year at Kew
Written as a companion to the fascinating BBC series, A Year at Kew, the book takes us on a private tour of this great botanical garden, looking at the work of Kew's experts in the greenhouses, laboratories, and libraries. It is these that earn the gardens its reputation as a center of scientific excellence.
Each monthly chapter highlights what is in flower at Kew, what is being planted or removed, and what special activities are going on there, including seasonal festivals and exhibitions. A unique, behind-the-scenes glimpse of one of the world's horticultural treasures.
A Giant Waterlily in Kew Gardens
The Waterlily House
The hottest and most humid in Kew Gardens
Closed in the winter, the Waterlily House was built in the mid 19th century and is the hottest and most humid of Kew's glasshouses. As well as giant waterlilies, you can see lemon grass, taro, banana, rice, sugar cane, papyrus and the sacred lotus.
When I visited I remember it was so hot and humid I had to keep going outside to cool down as I thought I might faint.
SILVER SEASONS- Water Lily Bracelet
This water lily bracelet, made of bronze with a hand painted patina and pink freshwater pearls, was inspired by artist Claude Monet's painting. It is approximately 6 3/4"in length with a lobster clasp. (7109BZPP) Handcrafted in USA.
Statue by Henry Moore in Kew Gardens
Other Attractions in Kew Gardens
Kew's other attractions include:
* Museum No. 1 - Housed in a beautiful Grade 1 listed building, its Plants and People Exhibition illustrates the relationships between plants and man and the ways they have been used.
* Marianne North Gallery - paintings by the Victorian traveller and artist, Marianne North. Born in 1830, she travelled to the USA, Canada, Brazil, Japan, Java, Sri Lanka and India amongst other places.
* Royal Palaces - Queen Charlotte's Cottage and Kew Palace, both are looked after by Historic Royal Palaces.
* Pagoda - Completed in 1762, the 10-storey Pagoda is another one of Kew's most famous features.
* Japanese Gateway and Landscapes - the Gateway is a replica of a famous Gateway in Kyoto. It is surrounded by about 5000 square metres of Japanese style gardens.
More Waterlilies
A place for solitude - the Pagoda in Kew Gardens
Have You Visited the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew?
Or would you like to visit them?
More about Kew Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, usually referred to simply as Kew Gardens, are 121 hectares http://www.kew.org/ksheets/pdfs/k16kewhistory.pdf of gardens and botanical glasshouses between Richmond and Kew in southwest London, England. The director is Professor Stephen D. Hopper, who succeeded Professor Sir Peter Crane. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is also the name of the organisation that runs Kew Gardens and Wakehurst Place gardens in Sussex. It is an internationally important botanical resear...
Visit Kew Gardens' Website
Read more on the website of
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
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Any Comments? Do You Like Visiting Gardens?
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Reply
- EverythingMouse EverythingMouse Sep 27, 2009 @ 7:32 pm
- It is many years since I visited. You have made an excellent lens - Squid Angel Blessings to you
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- surfsusan surfsusan Sep 21, 2009 @ 7:21 am
- Whenever I am in city with a botanical garden I pay a visit, my last was in Lisboa. Never been to Kew garden - it is now on my list of what to do when I am not shopping in London :-) Lovely 5 star performance lens.
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- oztoo oztoo Sep 19, 2009 @ 3:17 am
- Looks beautiful!
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- momto4 momto4 Sep 18, 2009 @ 6:43 pm
- Looks like a neat place to visit. I hope I get to see it one day. Great lens!
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- bdkz bdkz Sep 18, 2009 @ 2:52 pm
- Beautiful!
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- mysticmama mysticmama Sep 17, 2009 @ 4:04 pm
- Beautiful!
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- kimmanleyort kimmanleyort Sep 17, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
- Wonderful! I know I could spend a day in the Waterlily House. I love to photograph them.
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- mbgphoto mbgphoto Sep 17, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
- Very nicely done! Looks beautiful! 5*
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- ulla_hennig ulla_hennig Sep 17, 2009 @ 7:26 am
- Beautiful place! I love the pictures and would like to visit the Kew Gardens sometime!
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- jptanabe jptanabe Sep 17, 2009 @ 7:20 am
- Love botanic gardens! Used to live near one and visit often, but no more. Miss it! Your lens is beautiful - brought back good memories of visiting Kew Gardens (long ago). Thanks!
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About Me
Lensmaster Stazjia has been a member since September 26 2006, has rated 1,339 lenses, favorited 788, and has created 129 lenses from scratch. Carol Fisher donates their royalties to Dolphin Communication Project. This member's top-ranked page is "Classic Funny Poems for Kids". See all my lenses
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