Experts consider Kew’s Palm House to be the most important surviving Victorian iron and glass structure in the world. It was designed by Decimus Burton and engineered by Richard Turner to accommodate the exotic palms being collected and introduced to Europe in early Victorian times. 

Queen Charlotte’s Cottage was built as a one-storey building between 1754 and 1771 within the grounds of Richmond Lodge (which now form the western half of Kew). It was located within an oval ring of pheasant pens, at the end of a paddock known as the New Menagerie.

Experts consider Kew’s Palm House to be the most important surviving Victorian iron and glass structure in the world. It was designed by Decimus Burton and engineered by Richard Turner to accommodate the exotic palms being collected and introduced to Europe in early Victorian times. 

Heating was an important element of the glasshouse’s design, as tropical palms need a warm, moist environment to thrive. Originally, basement boilers sent heat into the glasshouse via water pipes running beneath iron gratings in the floor. Today, the glasshouse is heated using gas, and the tunnel houses the Palm House Keeper’s office. The tallest palms that need the most room are located beneath the central dome. These include the peach palm (Bactris gasipaes), babassu (Attalea speciosa), queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana) and the coconut palm. 

Highlights in the South Wing, which contains plants from Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, include the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) — the most important oil-producing plantation palm in the Tropics — and the rare triangle palm (Dypsis decaryi) from Madagascar.

The main central section houses plants from the Americas, including many economically-important species. You’ll find cocoa, rubber, banana and papaya plants growing here alongside the Mexican yam (Dioscorea composita), which was used to develop the contraceptive pill.

The North Wing showcases plants from Asia, Australasia and the Pacific, the region that contains the world’s greatest diversity of palms. Here you’ll find climbing palms called rattans, from which cane furniture is made. Also, there are several Asian fruit trees including mango, starfruit, breadfruit and jackfruit.

Queen Charlotte’s Cottage was built as a one-storey building between 1754 and 1771 within the grounds of Richmond Lodge (which now form the western half of Kew). It was located within an oval ring of pheasant pens, at the end of a paddock known as the New Menagerie.

Previously known as the Menagerie (later the New Menagerie), it became home to exotic creatures from the furthest reaches of the British Empire, including a pair of black swans, buffaloes and the first kangaroos to arrive in England, which successfully bred here. George III also kept an example of the now extinct quagga, an animal similar to a zebra, at the Menagerie.

George III bestowed Richmond Lodge and estate to Queen Charlotte as part of their marriage settlement. From the early 1770s the cottage (or at least its interior décor) was a source of pride for the Queen.

In August 1774, the London Magazine described the cottage as a “pretty retreat”. When exactly the crude red brick building acquired an extension and its first floor ‘picnic room’ (accessed by a curving staircase) is not clear, but incidental evidence points to the mid- to late-1770s.

This main room, with bamboo motif door mouldings and pelmets, has painted convolvulus and nasturtium ‘growing’ up its walls. These may have been added by Queen Charlotte’s artistic third daughter, Princess Elizabeth.

Despite considering it a 'favourite place', George III did not return to Kew after 1806, and the Georgian royal family stopped using the cottage in 1818.

In 1845, fencing was replaced by open rustic trellis to reveal it to the public. However they couldn’t get close until Queen Victoria ceded the cottage and its 15 hectares of grounds to Kew in 1898 to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee. At this time furniture and pictures were removed and sent to Windsor Palace.

The late Princess Margaret, the present Queen's sister, used the cottage in 1996 for a private party.

Experts consider Kew’s Palm House to be the most important surviving Victorian iron and glass structure in the world. It was designed by Decimus Burton and engineered by Richard Turner to accommodate the exotic palms being collected and introduced to Europe in early Victorian times. 

Heating was an important element of the glasshouse’s design, as tropical palms need a warm, moist environment to thrive. Originally, basement boilers sent heat into the glasshouse via water pipes running beneath iron gratings in the floor. Today, the glasshouse is heated using gas, and the tunnel houses the Palm House Keeper’s office. The tallest palms that need the most room are located beneath the central dome. These include the peach palm (Bactris gasipaes), babassu (Attalea speciosa), queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana) and the coconut palm. 

Highlights in the South Wing, which contains plants from Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, include the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) — the most important oil-producing plantation palm in the Tropics — and the rare triangle palm (Dypsis decaryi) from Madagascar.

The main central section houses plants from the Americas, including many economically-important species. You’ll find cocoa, rubber, banana and papaya plants growing here alongside the Mexican yam (Dioscorea composita), which was used to develop the contraceptive pill.

The North Wing showcases plants from Asia, Australasia and the Pacific, the region that contains the world’s greatest diversity of palms. Here you’ll find climbing palms called rattans, from which cane furniture is made. Also, there are several Asian fruit trees including mango, starfruit, breadfruit and jackfruit.

Did you know that Kew Gardens was home to one of the very first decorated Christmas trees in England? It was Queen Charlotte in the 1790s who dressed branches in one of the largest rooms at Kew Palace, and when the tree was lit and all aglitter, the whole court gathered round...

Now in its third year, the new winter trail focuses on the Christmas tree and Kew’s special part in the history of our traditional celebrations. It offers something for everyone at this festive time of year as the one-mile sparkling path winds its way through the world-famous botanic gardens in a magical after-dark experience.

Wander beneath unique tree canopies drenched in Christmas hues, and gaze at glowing waterside reflections as clusters of illuminated fountains dance in an explosion of colour, set against the iconic Palm House. Walk through playful ribbons of light, count the Christmas trees festooned with seasonal cheer, and listen to the Choir of the Holly Bushes as they twinkle in time to festive music. Stroll a fairytale avenue of larger-than-life winter flora and stop at the scented Fire Garden for a moment of reflection. Take time with family and friends to ponder the year almost over and look forward to the year to come. 

The trial opens at 5pm and closes at 10pm. Yoou can choose from 8 entry times. Visits are timed at 30 minute intervals. It runs til 2nd January so visit now.