Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Botanical garden in Richmond, London, England.
The Royal Botanic Gardens in Richmond cover over 300 acres of green spaces with glasshouses, themed gardens and woodland paths. The grounds divide into several areas featuring different climate zones and plant collections from every continent.
The gardens grew from royal estates laid out during the 18th century and developed into a research center after the official founding in 1840. During the 19th century, plant samples from British colonies arrived and formed the basis for today's collection.
The site houses the Millennium Seed Bank Partnership, storing over 2 billion seeds from around the world. Researchers and gardeners work here daily on protecting endangered plant species and developing methods for reintroduction into natural habitats.
The Victoria Gate entrance sits roughly 500 meters from Kew Gardens station, reachable by the District Line and London Overground. Paths lead through open lawns and shaded sections, so sturdy footwear is advisable during wet weather.
Inside the glasshouses grow plants that have been tended since Victorian times and rank among Europe's oldest living collection specimens. Some palms in the Palm House were planted during the 1840s and survived two world wars and numerous restorations.
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