Kew Gardens

Overview

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southwest London, home to the world's largest and most diverse collection of living plants. Its 121 hectares include iconic Victorian glasshouses, a treetop walkway, and the largest surviving Victorian glass structure in the world.

Highlights

• Palm House (1848): A stunning iron-and-glass Victorian glasshouse containing tropical rainforest plants — Kew's most iconic building.
• Temperate House: The world's largest surviving Victorian glass structure, reopened in 2018 after a five-year restoration.
• Treetop Walkway: A free-standing 18-metre-high walkway through the tree canopy, offering aerial views of the gardens.

History

Founded in 1759 by Princess Augusta, Kew became a national botanic garden under Sir Joseph Banks. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 for its contribution to botanical science and landscape garden design.

Visitor Tips

• Allow half a day: The grounds are vast — 3–4 hours is comfortable to cover the highlights.
• Seasonal highlights: Cherry blossom (April), rose garden (June), autumn colour (October), Christmas at Kew light trail (November–January).
• Duration: 3–4 hours.