{"id":40814,"date":"2024-10-08T09:58:51","date_gmt":"2024-10-08T07:58:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/51c6a051-f950-450b-8b74-8e1082a89630"},"modified":"2024-10-08T11:26:40","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T09:26:40","slug":"royal-botanic-gardens-kew-londons-botanical-treasure-and-unesco-world-heritage-site","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/royal-botanic-gardens-kew-londons-botanical-treasure-and-unesco-world-heritage-site\/","title":{"rendered":"Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: London’s botanical treasure and UNESCO World Heritage Site"},"content":{"rendered":"

The gardens are not only a haven for plant enthusiasts but also a vital centre for scientific research and education, making it a treasure of global importance. <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 08 October 2024 at 07:58 AM<\/p>

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Kew Gardens offers visitors a unique blend of botanical wonders, scientific research, and historical significance, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.<\/strong><\/p>

The Palm House is a Victorian structure of iron and glass dating from 1844. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Where is Kew Gardens located?<\/h2>

Kew Gardens is situated in Richmond-upon-Thames, southwest London, UK. <\/p>

How big is Kew Gardens?<\/h2>

Kew Gardens spans 326 acres (132 hectares), making it one of the largest botanical gardens in the world.<\/p>

Who owns Kew Gardens?<\/h2>

Kew Gardens is owned and managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a non-departmental public body sponsored by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs<\/a>.<\/p>

What is so special about Kew Gardens?<\/h2>

A wonderful green oasis in the west of London, it\u2019s hard not to doff a hat to the impressive range of the facts and figures surrounding Kew Gardens.\u00a0<\/p>

Possessing the world\u2019s largest botanical collection, it comprises over 50,000 plants. <\/p>

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Exotic plants like lily pads and lotus flowers are on display at Kew Gardens. Credit: Getty.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Its herbarium runs to over 8.5 million preserved plants and fungi<\/a>. The cathedral-like Temperate House is the world\u2019s largest Victorian glasshouse \u2013 it shelters 1,200\u00a0species from across the globe, including some that are already extinct in the wild. <\/p>

There are four Grade I-listed structures on the grounds and another 36 Grade II buildings. The library\u2019s shelves groan under the weight of over 750,000 volumes, along with more than 175,000 prints and drawings of plants. <\/p>

And no fewer than 1,100 employees beaver away at the gardens, making it one of the world\u2019s most important botanical research centres.\u00a0<\/p>

Appropriately, there\u2019s an organic feel to Kew\u2019s creation. An exotic garden planted in the mid-18th century by a baron named Henry Capell was improved by Augusta, Dowager Princess of Wales. <\/p>

Further enhancements were made by Sir Joseph Banks and various royals. In 1761, The gardens were also adorned with the Great Pagoda (still standing today) in 1762 \u2013 a gift for Princess Augusta. Slowly but surely, Kew became the botanical (and slightly eccentric) behemoth it is today.<\/p>

Did you know?<\/h3>

If you fancy a taste of the fruit and veg grown there, you can do so in the gardens\u2019 own restaurants. But you\u2019d be advised not to get up to any monkey business \u2013 since 1845, Kew has had its very own police force. <\/p>

When was Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, awarded UNESCO World Heritage status?<\/h2>

It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/a> in 2003. This recognition highlights its Outstanding Universal Value, encompassing its rich history, diverse landscapes, and significant contributions to botany and ecology.\u00a0<\/p>