Visit the Royal Botanic Garden is like entering the world of plants.
Plants have a strange, voiceless world that we're only just beginning to understand.
Today, I'd like to take you on an excursion to one of London's most beautiful parks.
Royal Botanic Garden : article summary
What can you see at the Royal Botanic Garden?
À Kew GardenThere are so many things to explore that I have the feeling that one day might not be enough.
You can visit the Botanical Garden because of its greenhouses. These are fascinating spaces where you can learn more about the plants that occupy them.
On site, you can spend the whole day at explore all its nooks and crannies and take part in several tours and workshops.
An incredible green space
The Royal Botanic offers access to :
- Several greenhouses
- Galleries
- Some restaurants
- French-style gardens
- Sculptures
- A pond
- A footbridge in the trees
The gardens are best visited in late August and early September. Whichever time you decide to visit, there's plenty to see and do. always something to do or have at the Royal Botanic Garden.
The Palm House
Kew's most interesting place has always been the home of palm trees. The Palm House is perhaps the best-known building, the true emblem of the garden.
It is considered the world's most important Victorian iron and glass structure. The greenhouse is divided into world zones, and most specimens have excellent explanations and interactive activities for adults and children.
It's a little warm inside, so I suggest you get undressed. before venturing inside.
In the middle of the Palm House, there's a spiral staircase that takes you down to a lower level, where you can enjoy a magnificent aquarium with a variety of marine life.
Go back up the stairwell, but this time venture to the top floor. This floor allows you to admire the exotic plants from above.
Royal Botanic Garden: the Temperate House
Kew's Temperate House was under restoration until 2018. It was a colossal project that had to be carried out to reinforce the framework, replace the windows and the heating.
The temperate house is twice the size of the Palm House. It was reopened just after renovation to the delight of visitors.
The Japanese garden
It wouldn't be a great botanical garden if it didn't have a dedicated Japanese landscape garden.
This beautiful place was designed by Professor Fukuhara from Osaka, who has inspired by the Momayama period.
Royal Botanic Garden: take a walk in the trees
From the Japanese Garden, head for the Treetop Walk. Take the elevator or the stairs and enjoy a splendid view of the Royal Botanic.
The structure is 18 metres high and offers a 200-metre walkway. around the tops of lime, chestnut and oak trees.
Discover the Minkas house and the bamboo forest
From the Treetop Walk, you can then head for the magnificent bamboo forest reminiscent of Japan, as well as the Minka House, a wooden structure with a very interesting history.
In Japan, Minkas were mainly used as houses, allowing the structure to move in the event of an earthquake, as they were not cemented.
They were so important that most of Japanese lived in a minka house until the 20ᵉ century.
Further information on the Royal Botanic Garden
The Royal Botanic opens until 7 p.m. in summer. In winter, it closes a little earlier.
You can get there by car, metro, train or bus and, to visit it, you'll need :
- 15 £ for adults
- 3,5 £ for children
The Royal Botanic Garden is a must-see if you're a plant enthusiast. During your stay in London, I recommend that you make a detour here and enjoy this immense green space.