Kew Gardens.... (i)

Despite once having worked in London for over 10 years, and having paid numerous visits to the National Archives at Richmond, I'd never been to it's near neighbour, Kew Gardens. This was an oversight that I managed to rectify earlier this week, as part of my "staycation". I went partly to see the the place, and partly as an excuse for a photographic expedition. It's a huge site, with acres of parkland and arboreatums, as well as seperate themed garden areas.

It was a rather overcast day, with poor light a lot of the time, so several of shots that I would otherwise have taken, of classic Kew views like the huge Tropical House, and the ride down to theChinese Pagoda, didn't really lend themselves to the conditions. Other shots worked better though, and here are a few of them.

This is the Davies Alpine House, a fairly recent addition that opened in 2006. In the Background is the Princess of Wales Conservatory, housing 10 different climate zones, and currently home to the "India 250" display.
The Rock Garden contains Alpines, Mediterranean plants, and seperate sections for plants from each continent.

The Japanese Chokushi-Mon (Gateway of the Imperial Messenger) is four fifths the size of the original in Kyoto, and was originally built for the Japanese-British Exhibition in 1910.
It was reconstructed in the 195o's and extensively renovated to it's current impressive standard in 1995.

Kew Palace was built by a Dutch merchant in 1631, in the traditional Flemish Style. It first became a royal palace in 1728, was officially bought by George III in 1781, and housed various members of the extended family until well into the 18oo's.