Kew Gardens

The 300-acre Kew Gardens - or, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - have existed on this riverside site northeast of Richmond town for a couple of centuries in their present form. They stand on the combined sites of two former Royal estates, developed as ornamental gardens and later bequeathed to the nation. They owe their fame mainly to the efforts of Sir Joseph Banks, director of the gardens under King George III, who established a collection of rare and exotic species of flowers, shrubs and trees from all over the world. Part of the landscaping and design of the gardens was by "Capability" Brown, landscape gardener to the elite in the Georgian era.

The exotic collection has grown and flourished under subsequent directors, who have contributed some of the largest and most famous glasshouses in the world, notably the Palm House and Temperate House. The gardens also contain buildings dating from the era of private Royal ownership, including the Orangery and the Pagoda. Modern buildings include the multi-environment Princess of Wales conservatory. The grounds themselves feature formal gardens, ornamental lakes, themed areas (such as a rhododendron grove and a bamboo plantation) and areas of woodland, as well as a visitor centre, shops and cafes. The grounds and nearly all the buildings are open to the public all year round. There is a £5 entrance fee nowadays but historically admission could be gained for one penny, a situation which continued up until the 1970s.

My intention is to add to this page from time to time, with images from various parts of the garden and various seasons of the year.

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