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| Elizabeth Gate |
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| Victoria Gate |
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| Brentford Gate |
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| Lion Gate |
There are four gateways or entrances to this Royal Botanical gardens. The main gate is
"Elizabeth Gate",from where you can visit Kew Palace and Orangery Restaurant. "
The Brentford Gate" faces the river Thames and from here you can approach the Palm House and the Princess of Wales Conservatory. Near the
"The Victoria Gate" there is
Kew Explorer Service,
Victoria Plaza and the
Visitors'Center. Near
"The Lion Gate" we can see the Japanese Pagoda and relax at the Pavilion Restaurant. We entered through Elizabeth Gate. At first we went to see the Kew Palace built by Samuel Fortrey, a Dutch merchant in 1631. Later this was taken on lease by King George II in 1729. Later George III purchased this palace in 1781.This is the smallest palace owned by royal family. It looked like an ordinary mansion with pretty furniture, paintings and 200-year old kitchen with utensils and crockery. At the rear side of the building there is the queen's garden with17th century medicinal plants grown in the small area. We can also see the library room of George III who was interested in collecting books. George IV was born here. Queen Charlotte with her fifteen children and husband used to spend her time when the king was not well.This palace is administered by Historic Royal Palaces. To commemorate the royal visit of Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of the bi-centenary celebrations of the Royal Botanical Kew Gardens in1959, a replica of the sundial of 17th century famous clock maker,Thomas Tompion, made by Martin Holden, was installed here at the entrance.
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| Kew Palace |
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| Couch in Kew Palace |
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| Kitchen, Kew Palace |
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| Queen's Herbal Garden |
Charlotte Cottage : We had no time left to visit this thatched retreat of Queen Charlotte who used to come here with her husband and guests during her walks to take tea and refreshments. Set in the natural scenery it became a favorite spot for both the king and the queen. Inside we can find Hogarth prints, Chinese style chairs and bamboo- made furniture and the wall painting made by the George III's daughter, Princess Elizabeth. In the rear side there was a paddock where many exotic animals were used to be bred such as kangaroos, buffaloes, black swans and zebras. It looked like a small menagerie and provided much entertainment to royal children. In 1806 this open space was converted into a garden with many beautiful flowering plants. The blue bell woods is a pretty sight to see.
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| Blue Bell Woods |
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| Charlotte Cottage |
Nash Conservatory and Orangery : Nash Conservatory was a beautiful glass house with ceiling windows originally built in Buckingham palace for hosting functions and parties. But this building was shifted to Kew Gardens brick by brick in 1836 by the orders of king William IV. This glass house with sufficient ventilation and gleaming floor has a capacity to accommodate nearly 200 people. At present it is used for organizing various civil functions , weddings and photography exhibitions. The orangerie was designed by the famous architect, William Chambers built this house citrus plants in 1761. But the room was too dark and was not convenient for the purpose. So the plants were removed by Sir William Hooker, Director of Kew Gardens to Kensington Palace in 1841. Later in 1862 it was converted into a timber museum. Afterwards it was used for holding various functions and parties. Ultimately in 1989 it was converted in to a restaurant where nearly 180 persons can celebrate parties or wedding ceremonies.
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| orangery Restaurant |
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| Nash Conservatory |
The Tree Top Walkway : The Tree Top Walkway is another attractive feature added to this garden in. It is a hanging bridge, 59 feet above ground and is 660 feet long which will give you to get a panoramic view of the trees from an elevated level. There is a staircase with 118 steps to climb up to the walkway. There is lift facility for the elderly and disabled visitors. This walkway was designed by Marks Barfield Architects (the designers of the famous "London Eye") in 2008. Nearly four hundred tons of steel were used to make this strong walkway supported with steel trusses and pylons.One can enjoy the biodiversity of woods with a variety of trees like sweet chestnut, lime, oak, and pine trees on which we can see various types of birds and insects. It is really a thrilling experience to view dense clusters of woods from such a height.
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| Tree Top Way |
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| Japanese Pagoda |
The Japanese Pagoda : This tall 163-feet high conical tree-like construction with ten octagonal storeys covered with ceramic tiles and adorned with wooden dragons painted in gold was designed by William Chambers in 1762. The staircase is in the middle having 253 steps. The wooden dragons were removed in 1784 during repairs. But efforts are on to restore these dragons in future to add more glory to this beautiful construction located amidst tall green trees.
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| The Japanese Gateway |
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| The pink Rhododendron Plants |
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| Carved figures on Japanese Gateway |
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| Statue of Shisa (Lion-dog) Near Victoria Gate |
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| Water Trough, Garden of Peace |
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| Garden of Activity |
The Japanese Gateway or Gateway of the Imperial Messenger (Chokushi MON) :
Another oriental decorative construction seen near this pagoda is the Japanese Gateway which was actually created for the Japan-British Exhibition held at White City in London in 1910. In 1911 it was dismantled and re-constructed on the mossy hill near the pagoda. This gateway or decorative entrance was a very near replica of the Gate of the Western Temple of the Original Vow (Nishi Hongan-ji) situated in the Japanese town of Kyoto. This type of ornate gateway, a symbol of power, is seen at the entrance of fortress, temple or Shinto shrine. This Gateway was designed in late 16th century Japanese style called Japanese rococo. Repairs were undertaken in 1936 and in 1957 to protect this gateway. Ultimately with Japanese help and collaboration in 1995, this gateway was restored to its original appearance and was opened for visitors in 1996. This gateway has an arched roof with curved edges at the end with wooden carvings on all sides. The wooden panels have carved animals, flowers and intricate artistic designs. It serves as a complement to the Japanese landscape (spread over 5000 sq.meters) which was laid out in 1996. Around this gateway one can see a very fascinating view of typical Japanese trees like the cherry trees with snow-white blossoms, pink rhododendrons and Japanese cypress trees (hinoki). The main entrance leads to the Garden of Peace where you can see stone lanterns and dripping water basin. The stone lantern indicates a ceremonial welcome and water trough indicates purification. Next you have to tread on a row of stone slabs which indicate your detachment from worldly worries. Next you pass on to the Garden of Harmony which is represented by short Japanese plants like purple hydrangeas, balloon flowers and Japanese anemones. Hidden among the bushes there is a stone block with a Japanese Haiku engraved on it. The Japanese poet Kiyoshi Takahama composed this Haiku in 1936. An English version is seen on a stone tablet nearby which reads
"Even sparrows / Freed from all fear of man/ England in spring. Next you will find the Garden of Activity (natural world) represented by gravel and pebbles which indicate the movement of the flowing streams and waterfalls. The rocks among the gravel represent a turtle and a crane, symbols of good luck and long life. The Garden of Harmony links both the Gardens of Peace and Activity.Near the Victoria Gate one can see two huge statues of lion-dogs (Shisas) overlooking a lake in front of them.
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| Stone Lantern,Garden of Peace |
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| Garden of Harmony |
There are so many wonderful sites and spots to explore in this
arboreal heaven. But constraints of time made us view only a few of
these botanical spots. The
Rhizotron, designed by Marks Barfield
Architects, gives you a unique opportunity of going underground and view
the underworld of trees, the development of trees and the
microorganisms that thrive in the soil. Likewise the Bonsai trees in the
Bonsai House provide you to see the miniature forms of tall growing
trees like conifers, maples, beech, oak, Japanese white pine and Chinese
quince.
The Sackler Crossing is a bridge made of granite and bronze
connecting the Temperate and Evolution Houses. This was opened in 2006.
Finally the
Kew Explorer is a 72-seater road train operated by gas. You
can settle down and comfortably on the seats and view the scenery as the
train winds its way through the green expanse of dense wooded garden
and listen to the commentary given by the driver. In brief if you ever go to London , don't miss the opportunity of visiting this marvelous garden. You would love to see it again and again.
7th August, 2015 Somaseshu Gutala
