Pictures of Kew Royal Botanical Gardens

a Garden or Park in the town of Kew, in the county of Greater London

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About Kew Royal Botanical Gardens

For over two hundred and fifty years, the gardens at Kew have been the dream and vision of talented gardeners, and the inspiration for generations of painters. As early as 1790, the artist Franz Bauer was producing drawings and spectacular paintings of Kew's delicate flowers and plants. Other artists to focus on Kew have been the talented Margaret Meen, Walter Hood Fitch, the Victorian artist Marianne North and 20th-century artist Margaret Mee who was also a highly respected, well travelled conservationist.

The first nine acres of gardens were laid out by Princess Augusta, mother of George III whose family home was the great palace set at the heart of Kew. Close by is the romantic, fairy tale thatched cottage built for Queen Charlotte, which the family used as a summer-house. The huge success of the gardens is largely owed to Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), explorer and botanist who was a close friend of the king and who worked with head gardener William Aiton to lay the basis for the superb collection that now exists. The gardens eventually came into public ownership in 1841, fortunately this did not lessen Royal ties, Queen Victoria gifted Queen Charlotte's cottage to Kew, and the gardens have continued to enjoy the patronage of Royalty ever since.

Sir William Chambers (1723-1796) who had travelled extensively in the Orient returned to London in 1755 when he became drawing tutor to the Prince of Wales. He later became architect of the King's works and during 1757-1763 he designed the Orangery and most of the small Classical temples at Kew. The Chinese Pagoda, surely the most dramatic of all Kew's buildings is the work of Chambers, it stands 10 storey's high and reaches 163 ft skywards. Decimus Burton was responsible for the graceful lines of the Palm House, which was considered by many to be the forerunner of Crystal Palace. Interestingly, the iron-work for the building was constructed by Richard Turner at his works in Dublin. Other buildings include The Princess of Wales Conservatory, where because of its range of climatic zones, you are able to view a range of plants from both the Amazon and the Sahara. There is a wonderful marine display in The Waterlily House, whilst in the Temperate House you can see a massive collection of sub-tropical plants.

As well as distinctive buildings, statues and follies there are fountains and ponds scattered across the gardens adding a silken watery lustre to a vast extravaganza of rare blooms, plants and trees of extraordinary beauty. The sheer scale of Kew is simply overwhelming, in every house and round every corner comes a fresh source of delight. The colourful flower borders of the herbaceous section are magnificent, these are in sharp contrast with delicate alpines growing amongst sandstone outcrops, and beside the stream of the Rock Garden. Richly wooded areas offer a quiet retreat.

Kew Royal Botanical Gardens is renowned world wide for its scientific and conservation work in the field of saving threatened species for posterity. When you think of 300 acres involving thousands of plants, flowers and trees which necessitate a staff of over 150 gardeners, you realise just what a mammoth task the running of Kew is. It is a rare and beautiful place and we are fortunate to have young men and women dedicated to keeping the dream and vision of Kew alive.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Kew Royal Botanical Gardens.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

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Recommended towns near Kew Royal Botanical Gardens

Kew, in the county of Greater London (0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
Kew is just downstream from the delights of Richmond, and is best known for the Royal Botanic Gardens, or as they are more popularly known 'Kew Gardens'.
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Ealing, in the county of Greater London (2.5 miles, 3.9 km, direction N)
Ealing is a thriving place which is now hugely cosmopolitan and has a wide range of multi-cultural offerings.
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Hammersmith, in the county of Greater London (3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction E)
Hammersmith developed around the River Thames, which is crossed via a graceful suspension bridge designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette.
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Fulham, in the county of Greater London (3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction E)
It is the home to both Fulham Football Club and Chelsea, both play at Premiership level, thus some of the football's most talented and highly paid stars can often be spotted strolling along Fulham's streets.
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Notting Hill, in the county of Greater London (4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction NE)
This area of London is known throughout the world as the scene of London's biggest annual street party.
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Kensington, in the county of Greater London (4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction NE)
The attractive Royal borough of Kensington has many special places. Most prominent is Kensington Palace, birthplace of Queen Victoria.
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Chelsea, in the county of Greater London (5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction E)
Chelsea is a district in London which in recent times gained fame as the 'home' of the 'swinging sixties' . The swinging sixties was defined on the Kings Road, which runs the length of the area and both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones lived here at one time.
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East Molesey, in the county of Surrey (5.9 miles, 9.4 km, direction SW)
This picturesque pleasant place is fortunate to lie between the waters of the historic River Thames and the River Mole. It is perhaps best known for Hampton Court Palace, the building started by Cardinal Wolsey in 1514.
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Mayfair, in the county of Greater London (6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction E)
Mayfair has it all, it is the haunt of the rich and famous, with elegant houses and apartment buildings that are the sole province of the wealthy.
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Marylebone, in the county of Greater London (7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction NE)
Marylebone is one of London's more affluent area's, it is home mostly to the well to do, and yet only a couple of centuries ago a large workhouse was built here to give shelter to the poor and homeless, often foundlings were discovered on the workhouse doorstep.
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Nearby travel help

Kew Gardens Tube Station	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
Kew Gardens Station	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Richmond Station	(0.9 miles, 1.4 km)
Richmond Tube Station	(1.0 miles, 1.5 km)
M4 Junction 2	(1.1 miles, 1.7 km)
M4 Junction 1	(1.3 miles, 2.0 km, direction NE)
London Heathrow Airport	(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction W)
Kew Royal Botanical Gardens to London	(7.7 miles, 12.4 km, direction E)
London City Airport	(15.5 miles, 25.0 km, direction E)

Accommodation & Hotels near Kew Royal Botanical Gardens

Hotel Name
London Kew Premier Travel Inn	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
Holiday Inn London Brentford Lock	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Coach & Horses Hotel	(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)
Shandon House Hotel	(1.0 miles, 1.7 km)
Quinns Hotel	(1.1 miles, 1.7 km)
The Red Cow	(1.1 miles, 1.7 km)
Riverside Hotel	(1.4 miles, 2.3 km, direction S)
Richmond Park Hotel Ltd	(1.4 miles, 2.3 km, direction S)
Hobart Hall Hotel	(1.5 miles, 2.3 km, direction S)
Osterley Park Hotel	(1.5 miles, 2.4 km, direction W)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts