Kew Gardens, London
Kew Gardens is a botanical garden located in southwest London and the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
It is one of London’s top tourist attractions, as well as being London’s largest UNESCO World Heritage site since 2003.
The botanical garden houses the “largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world”.
Founded in 1840, its collections include more than 30,000 different kinds of plants, while the herbarium, which is one of the largest in the world, has over seven million preserved plant specimens.
The library contains more than 750,000 volumes, and the illustrations collection contains more than 175,000 prints and drawings of plants.
The organization is home to the internationally important Millennium Seed Bank, whose scientists work with partner organizations in more than 95 countries.
Glasshouses are scattered all around the site. It includes the iconic Palm House and its exotic rainforest, the Princess of Wales Conservatory (where you can explore 10 of the world’s climatic zones), and the Waterlily House with its amazing, giant lily pads.
The Treetop Walkway (18m above ground level), soars into the tree canopy offering a bird’s-eye view of the gardens.
The Hive (opened in 2016) is a multi-sensory experience designed to highlight the extraordinary life of bees. It stands 17 metres tall and is set in a wildflower meadow.
Guides - Literature
