Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, more popularly known as Kew Gardens is a botanical garden in Southwest London spread over more than 130 hectares of landscape.  Located in the outskirts of London, Kew Gardens is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

1772 marked the origin of the Kew Gardens when the royal estates of Richmond and Kew merged.  Since then, the Botanic Gardens of Kew have become renowned in the field of botany.

Thai inspired orchid festival at Kew Gardens

Victoria Gate entrance

One of the largest botanical gardens in the world, Kew Gardens is wheelchair accessible.
The temperate house was closed for a five years renovation and recently opened in May 2018.

If you purchase tickets online, you will enjoy reduced pricing and fast track entry at Victoria Gate.  Online tickets are flexible and valid for a single visit within 30 days from the date selected at time of booking.  Friends of Kew enjoy free entry to Kew Gardens. 

Victoria Gate entrance

Enjoyed the stroll and the lovely scenery...

We booked the tram ride as well so that we could ride around as much of the gardens before deciding which area we would like to explore further on foot.

Tram ride

Some interesting facts:

Treetopwalk

The treetop walkway will take you 200 metres above the ground and allow you a bird's eye view of the gardens.












 The great pagoda was also under renovation when we were there and thus not able to see much of it.

Great Pagoda

Hive

Palm House

Japanese Pagoda Tree

 Some pictures from the Thai-inspired orchid festival...  Lovely, beautiful, colourful..  Was a blessing that we were able to make it for this event.  This was held at the Princess of Wales Conservatory.  You could try your hand at the Thai silk printing too...

The Davies Alpine House is an arch-shaped greenhouse designed to provide the ideal, cool and dry conditions for the alpine plants.  The following are some of the plants found in there.

The Davies Alpine House

Take a stroll around the gardens and enjoy the nature and the greenery.

The Palm House at Kew Gardens recreates a tropical rainforest.  However the Marine Display is no longer available. 

 

  

The Kitchen Garden was voted Most Inspirational Garden in 2016 by the Great British Growing Awards.

Here's the Temple of Aeolus, in an area designed to emulate a natural woodland.

So peaceful watching the birds go by...

 Interestingly, there is a Japanese wooden house called the Minka House in the bamboo garden.  Originally located in Japan and erected around 1900, the Minka House was erected in the Kew Gardens in 2001.

Minka House

Be prepared to spend almost the whole day if you wish to explore the whole Kew Gardens.  Rest at any of the food & beverage outlets when your feet grow weary.  If you have never been to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, it would be an eye opener.