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About Kew Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, usually referred to simply as Kew Gardens,
are extensive gardens and botanical glasshouses between Richmond and Kew in
southwest London, England. The director is Professor Stephen D. Hopper, who
succeeded Professor Sir Peter Crane. The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew is also
the name of the organisation that runs Kew Gardens and Wakehurst Place gardens
in Sussex. It is an internationally important botanical research and education
institution with 700 staff and an income of £44 million for the year ended 31
March 2006.
History
Kew Gardens originated in the exotic garden at Kew Park formed by Lord Capel of
Tewkesbury. It was enlarged and extended by Princess Augusta, the widow of
Frederick, Prince of Wales, for whom Sir William Chambers built several garden
structures. One of these, the lofty Chinese pagoda built in 1761 still remains.
George III enriched the gardens, aided by William Aiton and Sir Joseph Banks.
The old Kew Park (by then renamed the White House), was demolished in 1802. The
"Dutch House" adjoining was purchased by George III in 1781 as a nursery for the
royal children. It is a plain brick structure now known as Kew Palace.
In 1840 the gardens were adopted as a national botanical garden. Under Kew's
director, William Hooker, the gardens were increased to 30 hectares (75 acres)
and the pleasure grounds, or arboretum, extended to 109 hectares (270 acres),
and later to its present size of 120 hectares (300 acres).
The Palm House was built by architect Decimus Burton and iron-maker Richard
Turner between 1844 and 1848, and was the first large-scale structural use of
wrought iron. The structure's panes of glass are all hand-blown. The Temperate
house, which is twice as large as the Palm House, followed later in the 19th
century. It is now the largest Victorian glasshouse in existence.
Kew was the location of the successful effort in the 19th century to propagate
rubber trees for cultivation outside South America.
The year 1987 saw the opening of Kew's third major conservatory, the Princess of
Wales Conservatory (opened by Princess Diana in commemoration of her predecessor
Augusta's associations with Kew), which houses 10 climate zones.
In October 1987 Kew Gardens lost hundreds of trees in the Great Storm of 1987.
In July 2003, the gardens were put on the list of World Heritage Sites by
UNESCO.
Kew Gardens today
Kew Gardens is a leading center of botanical research, a training ground for
professional gardeners and a visitor attraction. In 2005 Kew received 1.48
million visitors, which was the most since 1949 and is the largest number for
any paid entry garden in the United Kingdom. The gardens are mostly informal,
with a few formal areas. There are conservatories, a herbarium, a library and
eating places.
Herbarium
Kew is important as a seedbank. It co-sponsors the Millennium Seed Bank Project
inside the Wellcome Trust Millennium Building at Wakehurst Place in Sussex.
With the Harvard University Herbaria, and the Australian National Herbarium,
they co-operate in the IPNI database to produce an authoritative source of
information on botanical nomenclature.
Despite unfavourable growing conditions (atmospheric pollution from London, dry
soils and low rainfall) Kew remains one of the most comprehensive plant
collections in Britain. In an attempt to expand the collections away from these
unfavourable conditions, Kew has established two out-stations, at Wakehurst
Place in Sussex, a National Trust property, and (jointly with the Forestry
Commission) Bedgebury Pinetum in Kent, the latter specialising in growing
conifers.
Transport
The nearest combined rail and London Underground station is Kew Gardens station
(District Line and London Overground) to the east of the gardens.
Bus routes: 65 and 391
Attractions
Guided Walks
Free tours of the gardens are conducted by trained volunteers and leave from
Victoria Gate at 11am and 2pm every day (except Christmas Day).
Vehicular Tour
Kew Explorer is a gas-powered 72-seater people mover that takes a circular route
around the gardens. A commentry is provided by the driver and there are several
stops. Tickets cost £3.50.
Pagoda
In a corner of Kew Gardens stands the Great Pagoda (by William Chambers),
erected in the year 1762, from a design in imitation of the Chinese Ta. The
lowest of the ten octagonal storeys is 49 feet (15 metres) in diameter. From the
base to the highest point is 163 feet (50 metres).
Each story finishes with a projecting roof, after the Chinese manner, originally
covered with ceramic tiles and adorned with large dragons; these were
reputedly[citation needed] sold by George IV to settle his debts. The walls of
the building are composed of brick. The staircase, 253 steps, is in the centre
of the building. The Pagoda was closed to the public for many years, but
reopened for the summer months in 2006. Renovation is under way for permanent
opening to the public to celebrate Kew's 250th birthday in 2009.
During the Second World War a hole in each floor was cut so there was a hole
running down the inside from top to bottom. Model bombs were then dropped to
test the way that they fell.
Chokushi-Mon
Standing near the Pagoda there is a replica of part of a Japanese temple. Built
in 1910, it is a copy of the Karamon (Chinese gate) of Nishi Hongan-ji in Kyoto.
Sackler Crossing
The Sackler Crossing bridge made of granite and bronze was opened in May 2006.
Designed by Buro Happold and John Pawson, it crosses the lake and is named in
honour of philanthropists Dr Mortimer and Theresa Sackler.