Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, (also known as Kew Gardens), Greater London, England

Site is open to the public. Opening may be limited, please check Visitor Information for any restrictions.

Brief description of site

Kew is a botanic garden of international repute, founded in 1759 by Princess Augusta and eventually incorporating two 18th-century gardens.

Brief history of site

A new royal park was created about 1414-1454, which was replaced by a larger royal park in 1603. In about 1721 the Richmond Lodge estate was acquired by the Prince of Wales, and later became the favourite residence of the royal family, who significantly developed the grounds. In 1731 White House, Kew, was also acquired, and William Kent was employed to work on the house and garden. In 1764 George III appointed Lancelot Brown Royal Gardener, and one of his first tasks was alterations to the Richmond Lodge estate. Sir Joseph Banks, President of the Royal Society, acted as botanical advisor to George III and with William Aiton as Head Gardener the botanical collection at Kew expanded rapidly. By 1841, when the botanic garden was taken over by the state, it was already semi-public. Under the first Director, Sir William Hooker the size of the botanic gardens increased to over 100 hectares. From 1843 they were relandscaped by William Andrews Nesfield.

Location information:

OS Landranger Map Sheet Number:	176	Grid Ref:	TQ182765
Latitude:	51.47512	Longitude:	-0.2994544

Key information:

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