About World Heritage Site status

The World Heritage Convention, adopted by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) in 1972, provides for the identification, protection and conservation of natural and cultural sites of outstanding universal value. In July 2003, 730 such sites across the world were included on The World Heritage List, ranging from the Taj Mahal to the Tower of London, the Great Wall of China to the Grand Canyon.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew was initially submitted for nomination by DCMS (the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport) and Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). Following extensive assessment by UNESCO’s advisers, IUCN (the International Union for Conservation, Nature and Natural Resources) and ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and Sites), Kew was inscribed on the World Heritage List by the World Heritage Committee on 3 July 2003.

World Heritage status gives recognition to Kew’s excellence as a world class cultural and heritage site and recognises the importance of Kew’s historic landscapes and outstanding buildings in addition to its important role in science and plant research.

With the addition of the new sites inscribed in July 2004 the World Heritage List now numbers 788 properties.