Address: Richmond - at the Thames. South West London.
Located about 12 kilometers southwest of Charing Cross.
For those of you who love gardens and if you like to get a bit out from downtown London - we recommend a trip to Kew Gardens. There are lovely walking paths where you pass by old houses, lakes, Palm House and much more.
History
This fantastic park was originally two large fields (Key Estate and Richmond Estate), these two later became the Royal Botanic Garden.
The name Royal park comes from back in the 1700s when the park was owned by King George II and his family. The area was owned until 1840 by the royal family then the state took over the ownership. The park has been shaped over the years and you go through different areas with trees, buildings, large grassy areas, lakes, museums and houses, etc. In 2009, the park was celebrating 250 years.
Over the years several different architects worked on the park, among others, Lord Bute and the architect William Chambers, which is famous for among others Orangery, Pagoda, and ruined Arch.
Kew Garden today
The park is sponsored among others by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. Visitors also pay admission. The park has about 700 employees and are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the park you will find libraries, Palm House, the gallery of paintings, a walk up among the trees and of course the various gardens for you to walk around in: The Rose Garden, Azalea Garden, Bamboo Garden, The Lilac Garden, The Bonsai Collection and The Rhodedendron Garden etc.
Pagoda
If you walk around the park, you will eventually get to the Chinese high tower - Pagoda - built 1762. It was actually built by a man who was born in Gothenburg - William Chambers.
The tower is 50 meters high.
The tower is closed to the public.
How to get there?
In the Summer, we recommend you to take a boat from Westminster Pier and get off at Kew Garden. On the boat they sell beer and snacks .
If you go by subway from London's center - take "the District Line train" with destination "Richmond" that stops at Kew Gardens station.
In the summer of 2008 we took the boat out to Kew Gardens and when leaving London behind us, you get both a stunning view of many of London's sights and the feeling of being in a small town.
Big beautiful lawns
Kew Garden has lovely big green lawns, and we can really recommend bringing your own food and a blanket. After that you study the trees from "underneath" in a lying position. It is not allowed to swim in lakes (which we would have liked to do during our visit on a hot summer day).
Some tips: Xstrata Treetop Walkway
"Walkway among the forest tops"
It´s really worth trying "the road" up in the trees. You go about 18 meters above ground up in the tree tops on a winding road about 200 meters long. You see the park from above ....
For those of you who have fear of heights - walk in the middle
:)
For those of you who love gardens and if you like to get a bit out from downtown London - we recommend a trip to Kew Gardens. There are lovely walking paths where you pass by old houses, lakes, Palm House and much more.
Pagoda
How to get there?
Big beautiful lawns
