Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in London, United Kingdom, and is one of the largest and most diverse botanical gardens in the world, with connections to Kew Gardens (London Underground)}} and Richmond, London. The gardens are managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Board of Trustees, which includes members such as Sir David Attenborough and Professor Stephen Hopper, and are supported by organizations like the National Trust and the Royal Horticultural Society. The gardens have a long history of collaboration with other institutions, including the Natural History Museum, London and the University of Cambridge, and have been visited by notable figures such as Charles Darwin and Joseph Banks.

● History

The history of the gardens dates back to 1759, when Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha created a physic garden at Kew Palace, with the help of William Aiton and Sir Joseph Banks. The gardens were later expanded by King George III and Queen Charlotte, and became a popular destination for botanists and naturalists, including Carl Linnaeus and Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. The gardens have also been associated with notable events, such as the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the British Empire Exhibition, and have been supported by organizations like the Royal Society and the Linnean Society of London. The gardens have undergone significant developments, including the construction of the Palm House and the Temperate House, designed by Decimus Burton and Richard Turner (engineer), and have been influenced by the work of John Lindley and Joseph Dalton Hooker.

● Gardens and Glasshouses

The gardens cover an area of 121 acres and feature a variety of glasshouses, including the Palm House, the Temperate House, and the Princess of Wales Conservatory, which was designed by Grimshaw Architects and features a collection of tropical plants from Amazon rainforest and Borneo. The gardens also include a rock garden, an arid house, and a treetop walkway, designed by Buro Happold and Marks Barfield Architects, which offers stunning views of the surrounding London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The gardens are home to a wide range of plant species, including orchids, bromeliads, and cacti, and have been recognized for their beauty and diversity by organizations like the Royal Horticultural Society and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

● Conservation and Research

The gardens are involved in a range of conservation and research activities, including the study of plant diversity and the development of new conservation techniques, in collaboration with organizations like the World Wildlife Fund and the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute. The gardens are also home to the Kew Herbarium, which is one of the largest and most comprehensive herbariums in the world, with a collection of over 7 million plant specimens, including samples from Charles Darwin's Beagle voyage and Joseph Banks's Endeavour voyage. The gardens have partnerships with institutions like the University of Oxford and the Imperial College London, and have been recognized for their contributions to botany and conservation biology by awards like the Queen's Anniversary Prize and the Darwin Medal.

● Collections and Exhibitions

The gardens have a wide range of collections and exhibitions, including the Kew Gardens Gallery, which features a collection of botanical art and illustrations by artists like Pierre-Joseph Redouté and Walter Hood Fitch. The gardens also host a range of temporary exhibitions, including displays of orchids, bromeliads, and other plant species, and have been recognized for their beauty and diversity by organizations like the Royal Academy of Arts and the British Museum. The gardens have a strong focus on education and community outreach, with programs like the Kew Gardens Schools Programme and the Kew Gardens Community Programme, which are supported by organizations like the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Wellcome Trust.

● Visitor Information

The gardens are open to visitors throughout the year, with a range of ticket options and guided tours available, including tours of the Palm House and the Princess of Wales Conservatory. Visitors can also explore the gardens on their own, using the Kew Gardens Map and the Kew Gardens App, which provide information on the gardens' plant collections and exhibitions. The gardens have a range of facilities, including cafes, restaurants, and shops, and are accessible by public transport, including the London Underground and London Bus services, with connections to Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport. The gardens are a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, and have been recognized as one of the top tourist attractions in London by organizations like Visit London and TripAdvisor. Category:Botanical gardens in the United Kingdom