Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew

by Melanie Miller

About Kew Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew is one of London's hidden treasures. The garden at Kew was established under the National Heritage Act 1983 and came into existence in August 1983. They have many educational programs, have a garden that people can visit, operate the Millenium Seed Bank, conduct research in many different areas, produce handbooks for many different types of plants, and provide hoticultural education to the public.

Visiting Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens is an attraction that you won't want to miss the next time you visit London. You can see everything from catus to lilacs to lily pads that measure over six feet in diameter. The grounds are very extensive and even if it is raining you can enjoy the plant life in one of the 42 different buildings that are within the gardens. Here are a few highlights that you won't want to miss.

Rose Garden

The Rose Garden was created in 1923. The garden houses 54 rose beds, each containing a different variety of rose. Visiting the Rose Garden will offer many ideas to the garden enthusiast for the selection of the correct height and color of rose which will grow in any small or large garden.

Palm House

The Palm House is one of the first things you see when you enter the Gardens. Both dramatic and elegant the architecture is a classic example of Victorian design. Built between 1844 and 1848, it was constructed to house tropical trees, shrubs and palms. 

Among the many interesting plant species on display are economically important ones with historical connections with the Gardens, notably rubber and breadfruit. 

Pagoda

Even though it is not open to the public, the pagoda is one of the most famous features of the garden.

Rose Pergola

Walking through the Rose Pergola is like walking through a fairy tale. Climbing roses in multiple colors cover the pergola, while the surrounding gardens and garden walls also contain many beautiful plants that are systematically organized especially for horticulural study.

 

Before visiting Kew Gardens

Before you visit Kew Gardens, make sure to visit their great website, where you can plan out your visit so you won't miss any highlights. Make sure to check out their interactive webmap, which contains great pictures and explanations of each of the garden's features.
 
 

Peronsal Notes about Kew Gardens

After living and studying in London for a year, I felt that I had a great and complete London experience under my belt. On one of my last days before I flew home in June I decided to check out Kew Gardens. I was so glad that I fit the trip into my schedule! It was a wonderful warm sunny day and I felt I picked the perfect time to go because it seemed like everything was blooming. I walked for hours and hours looking at all the different types of gardens, and alternated the long walks with breaks in which I just sat down and took in the scenery. I had never been to a garden of this type before, and I have to say that it was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. So if you are wondering if Kew Gardens would be a good destination, I would highly recommend it even if you aren't a horticulture buff. Just the beauty of it will sweep you away.