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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Description: Kew Gardens comprise 132 hectares (326 acres) of herbaceous bedding, water features, botanical glasshouses, a large arboretum and historic buildings located on the banks of the River Thames in southwest London. Founded in 1759 by Augusta, the widow of Frederick, Prince of Wales, they initially featured botanical gardens, an orangery, pagoda and archway designed by the architect, Sir William Chambers. Augusta’s son, King George III employed the celebrated landscape gardener Capability Brown to extend the gardens in 1766 and the gardens gained their first director, Sir William Hooker, in 1840 after the British Royal Family had donated various portions of land from the surrounding Richmond Estate and Kew Estate. Over the years, this vast oasis on the outskirts of the metropolis has become a favourite with visitors wishing to escape the pressures of the city, and has been extensively developed. Nowadays, its attractions include an aquatic garden, a bamboo garden, a woodland glade, a conservation area and a Japanese landscape. There are several glasshouses to explore, one of which, Evolution House, showcases 3500 million years of plant evolution. Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, located within the grounds of Richmond Lodge, was a wedding gift to Queen Charlotte in 1861 and was also used by Queen Victoria until she presented it to the public upon her Diamond Jubilee in 1897; the building has now been restored to its original state. Visitors to Kew can either join in a guided tour, follow one of several themed trails, or wander around the attractions at their own pace. Contact Addresses: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, UK Tel: (020) 8332 5000 or 8332 5655 (24-hour recorded information line). Fax: (020) 8332 5197. E-mail: info@rbgkew.org.uk Website: www.rbgkew.org.uk Transportation: Air: London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport, London Stansted Airport, London Luton Airport. Rail: Train: Kew Gardens Station (from north and south London); Kew Bridge Station (from London Waterloo Station). Underground: Kew Gardens (District Line). Road: Bus: 65, 237, 267, 391 or 419. Car: M1, then North Circular, then A205 or A307 (from the north); M4 then A205 or A307 (from the west); A3, then A205 or A307 (from the south). Opening Times: Daily 0930-1615 (28 Oct-8 Feb); daily 0930-1730 (9 Feb-30 Mar); Mon-Fri 0930-1830, Sat and Sun 0930-1930 (31 Mar-1 Sep); daily 0930-1800 (2 Sep-26 Oct). Closed 25 Dec and 1 Jan. Admission Fees: £6.50 (adult), free (child under 16). Concessions available. 
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