The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world-famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding living collection of plants and world-class herbarium as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world.
Kew Gardens is located in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, just outside London, and is a major tourist attraction, visited by over 1.5 million visitors a year.
The gardens were first opened to the public in 1759 and now cover over 300 acres, including the Kew Palace and the celebrated Temperate House, the world’s largest surviving Victorian glasshouse.
Collections and Exhibitions
Kew’s living collections include over 30,000 different kinds of plants, including many rare and threatened species from around the world. It is one of the most diverse collections in the world, and includes trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, annuals and perennials, aquatic plants, and climbers. The gardens also house a variety of animals, such as ducks, swans, bees, and butterflies.
Kew’s exhibitions explore the science and beauty of plants and their importance to our lives. The exhibitions explore topics such as plant diversity, conservation, and sustainable development. Visitors can also explore the history of Kew, the plants that make up its collections, and the science and technology used to care for them.
Conservation
Kew is a leader in plant conservation, and works to protect plants and their habitats in the UK and around the world. It has a number of research programmes dedicated to understanding and preserving the world’s plants, including its Millennium Seed Bank Project, which aims to conserve and store the seeds of 25% of the world’s plant species by 2020.
Kew also works to protect and restore threatened habitats, including rainforests and wetlands, and to promote the sustainable use of plants and their products.
Education and Outreach
Kew provides educational activities for all ages, including school visits, family events, and lectures. It also runs an extensive range of outreach programmes to promote the importance of plants to society, including its Plantwise programme, which works with local communities to promote sustainable management of plant pests and diseases.
Kew also has a number of online resources, including an online encyclopedia of plants and an interactive virtual tour of the gardens.
Visiting the Gardens
Kew is open every day of the year, and offers a range of activities and events for visitors. It has a variety of restaurants and cafés, as well as a shop and a plant centre. Visitors can also take part in guided tours, or explore the gardens on their own.
Kew is an important part of the history of London and a wonderful place to explore the beauty and science of plants. With its diverse collections, fascinating exhibitions, and commitment to conservation, Kew is a must-see for anyone visiting London.