A Trip to Kew

Yesterday I took a trip out to Kew Gardens. It was mostly for pleasure although there was lots of Victorian fun to be had. First we visited the newly reopened and restored Kew Palace, home to King George III and Queen Charlotte. The paneled rooms, with their high ceilings, were relatively empty of grand furniture; this was a palace that felt like a home. You can also see Queen Charlotte's beautiful dolls' house.

A climb up to the Tree Top walk allows you to see the glasshouses in all their glory.
















This was followed by exploring the Temperate Houses, which are full of beautiful palms and yellow and orange blooms. We also discovered this late nineteenth-century version of Donatello's David looking camp among the palm fronds. We rounded off our afternoon with a visit to the Marianne North Gallery, an incredible testament to one woman's skill and sense of adventure - both important qualities in a botanical artist.