Founded in 1759 the Royal Botanic Gardens are a constantly evolving centre of science, nature, horticulture for both the local and global community. Despite not being advertised on a large scale throughout London, this off the beaten path Garden attracts around 1.5million visitors a year. Kew Gardens is bordered by great brick walls and skirted by the River Thames, is beautifully in bloom all year round with ever-changing seasons and is a 'small', tranquil haven. Whether you're an enthusiast of horticulture and botany or just a novel observer, Kew Gardens makes for the perfect day out.
It was the second day of meeting my boyfriend's parents, as they'd already been to London four times before and had seen the main tourist attractions my mum suggested Kew Gardens, which I'd been dallying over for a few weeks. Unexpectedly this was a perfect choice, not only for the beautiful surroundings that seem a world away from the hum-drum of London life but also because it is the perfect sphere for getting to know people.
Perhaps in my mind, Kew is quintessentially defined by plants under glass, with eight glasshouses creating a fully immersive experience (temperature and all) ranging from sinewy, humid rainforest to barren ground scattered and strategically planted with species of agave, aloe and cacti. These glasshouses are awe-inspiring for their sheer scale, undeniably beautiful and an incredible way to educate and encourage an appreciation for nature.
My favourite, personally, was the Waterlily house although small and hosting incredibly heavy air I have fond memories as a little girl being absolutely fascinated by these tropical giants and darkened water and the surrounding steamy glass 'overgrown' with creepy climbers. Drawing in at a close second is the Palm House, seemingly smaller than when I was 6 although it's just that I'm bigger, you find yourself ducking and weaving between overhanging branches, humongous palm leaves, pre historic Cycads and inconspicuous plants essential to human evolution and survival through the ages. However, I think it's fair to assume what captured my boyfriend's mum, Moni, was the Princess of Wales Conservatory that houses many plants from dry topics including those found in Sardinia, Italy. Although seemingly monotonous to a city girl who hasn't spent too much time observing plant life in coastal regions Moni excitedly pointed out every other plant proclaiming 'this' grew in Sardinia as did 'that'.
Second to the glasshouses is Kew's ongoing efforts to become more educational and interactive, the contemporary instalments throughout Kew bring 21st-century subtleties to the space without cloaking it's heritage, the Xstrata Treetop Walkway although a fair climb upwards gives an unrivalled perspective of the outdoors. Supported at 18m high and 200m long this walkway, opened in 2008, is a glimpse into treetop ecosystems and to us four felt like a scene from Jurassic Park, almost prehistoric. Beware though, this instalment is not for those with vertigo, the floor panels are steel grate and the sides see-through too, with strong winds this structure moves and sways as if a tree top itself and it feels as if you are at sea. The Sackler Crossing, opened two years before the Treetop Walkway, is a silvery slithering bride that crosses Kew's lake, the walls appear solid however as you draw closer you realise it is a series of bronze posts that are almost invisible when viewing the lake. The installation itself is meant to mirror its surroundings yet has an almost utopian vibe about it. Finally Kew's newest instalment of 2015, The Hive is a critically acclaimed structure inspired by research and increasing knowledge about the UK's bee population. Standing at 17m, this installation blends seamlessly from a distance in to the blue sky and upon drawing closer reveals itself as a honeycomb like structure that hums and buzzes. The structure itself is laced with over 900 LED lights that respond to real time data from one of Kew's beehives, The Hive surges and slows as the real hive does and creates a multi sensory experience encompassed in a meadow filled with over 30 native wildflowers. Although difficult to appreciate for some I can imagine this installation is instrumental to Kew's educational efforts and when exemplified in an open-air classroom is both engaging and stimulating for children.
Finally, perhaps Kew's most attractive feature is its large open spaces. The expansive green lawns bordered by cultivated beds are broken up with beautiful trees. These trees are at the heart of Kew and have been since its inception. The Oak and London Plane trees litter the lawns in a typically British fashion while smaller areas play host to some more exotic species such as the Gingko tree, one of mine and my mum's favourites. Pines stand huge and lofty creating a carpet of cones beneath them and Birches huddled in clusters with their peeling bark and dry leaves creating a hush in the air. My favourite trees in Kew are undeniably the Gingko that surrounds the Minka house but we were lucky enough to catch the tail end of Magnolia blooming season from late March to late June. The fading scent was exquisite, laced with tangs of citrus and an lingering sweetness and despite not being great for my hay fever I found myself with my nose buried in blooms sharply followed by Moni while Carlo and Napo hung back on the pathway.
Rivalling the trees for a place in my heart, however, are the Peacocks not only because I share their name but also due to their graceful presence as they stroll through the Cedar Vista. We were lucky enough to steal a moment with the bird man who told us that he had successfully found this years nest of Peachicks and brought them back to the Avery to save them from the poaching Crows, he also explained to us that the male who had just sauntered past us was understandably grumpy this year as his Hen was spending all her time with said Peachicks (so adorable).
Kew is a beautiful space, with incredibly fresh air considering it's within London's borders. It's a great space for bonding, contemplation, art, science, education and alone time. For just under £16.00, you can spend a whole day getting lost here by yourself or share it with family or your other half. The landscape is ever-changing so warrants multiple visits a year which will never fail to impress and make memories. Hopefully, I will soon be returning with my sister, brother-in-law and nephews as this is on their bucket list and I can't deny another trip to Kew!
Hopefully next time I'll tick of a few more things on my bucket list:
The wildlife observation centre
The Badger Sett
Viewing The Henry Moore
The Pagoda & Japanese Gateway
The Temperate House
Picnicking on the manicured lawns