Kew Gardens was initially intended as a park for the exhibition of rare plant specimens and folly-like buildings – an 18th century exploration of exotic and outlandish garden design for the pleasure of Lord Capel of Tewkesbury and his friends. It was expanded upon repeatedly throughout the next century or so, with additions made by Frederick, Prince of Wales and his wife Princess Augusta (including the tall pagoda, designed and built by Sir William Chambers) and then by George III, who instigated the building of a romantic, gothic-style royal nursery in place of the original mansion adjoining the gardens, next to what is now Kew Green. Queen Charlotte spent her time in the rather more sensible red-brick 'Dutch House', now known as 'Kew Palace' itself.

However, Kew's identity today is defined more by its role as an institution of conservation and scientific research than by its royal history, and can in many ways be regarded at the original Eden Project, with its Millennium Seed Bank work (based at sister site, Wakehurst Place) and a mission to educate the public through first-hand exposure to the beauty and fragility of the botanical world.

A lesson in the history of plant taxonomy or horticultural skills, the chance to quiz one of the Kew Diploma students about the allotments, a treetop canopy walk or just the opportunity to admire plants from all manner of tropical, temperate and desert climes are available, and you can also book in advance to watch badgers teaching their cubs to find dinner in the Spring, bats hunting in the Summer and various other wildlife-watching trips. Seasonal exhibitions and events such as the Hallowe'en pumpkin display and the winter ice rink are always a delight, but nothing beats a summer's day spent picnicking amongst the roses and Victorian glasshouses, beneath the scented pine trees or in some of the more secluded spots along the riverside edge.

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Written by  larapiegeler.

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