Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Interesting facts

1. 1

   Kew Gardens holds a royal patent to operate as a botanical research institution.

2. 2

   The Palm House was constructed using techniques derived from 19th-century shipbuilding.

3. 3

   The gardens house the smallest royal palace in the United Kingdom, Kew Palace.

4. 4

   The Great Pagoda has 253 steps and was originally painted with dragons in the 18th century.

5. 5

   The Xylarium contains a vast collection of wood samples used for anatomical research.

6. 6

   Kew's living collections include a Titan Arum, one of the world's largest and smelliest flowers.

7. 7

   The gardens contain a specialized library holding over 750,000 volumes.

8. 8

   A portion of the garden, Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, is kept in a semi-wild state to encourage biodiversity.

Overview

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is a UNESCO World Heritage site housing the world's largest collection of living plants. Located on the banks of the River Thames, the gardens span 132 hectares and include over 50,000 distinct species. The site features the Temperate House, the world's largest surviving Victorian glasshouse, and the Palm House, a notable example of iron and glass architecture from the 19th century. The Millennium Seed Bank project preserves over 2.4 billion seeds from wild plant species globally. Researchers at Kew maintain the Herbarium, which contains over seven million preserved plant specimens for taxonomic study. Visitors can traverse the Treetop Walkway, which stands 18 meters above the ground, offering views of the arboretum. The gardens serve as a major global hub for botanical and mycological research. The site also includes the Marianne North Gallery, housing 832 of the artist's botanical paintings.

Insider tips

• Download the digital garden map before arrival as the grounds are expansive.

• Wear waterproof footwear if visiting after rainfall, as large sections are grassy and prone to dampness.

• Check the 'What's In Bloom' section on the official website to prioritize which glasshouses to visit.