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Zone Map

Entrance Zone

Broad Walk

The Orangery

Nash Conservatory

Main Gate


Entrance Zone Orangery Broad Walk Nash Conservatory Main Gate
 

Timeline link1700-1772: Two Royal Gardens

People linkFrederick, Prince of Wales

People linkAugusta, Princess of Wales

 

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Around the Main Gate

The area approaching Kew's Main Gate historically consisted of three important areas: Old Kew Green, the White House and the original Botanic Gardens.

Kew Green once extended as far as the Dutch House (now Kew Palace), where it intersected with Love Lane. Love Lane itself gave public access from Richmond, through the village of Kew, to Brentford Ferry and also divided Kew Gardens from Richmond Gardens.

The original Botanic Gardens were founded in 1759 and grew to a formal area of beds and a 9 acre (3.64 ha) arboretum. The current Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew developed from there.

The White House, which was demolished in 1802, was the home of Frederick, Prince of Wales and his wife, Princess Augusta. Together they were the main driving forces behind the development of Kew, and it was Augusta who founded the original Botanic Gardens.

Today, this area is relatively mixed, mainly open lawns interspersed with trees and plantings. It crossed by a number of formal pathways, often with avenue plantings, including Nesfield and Burton's Broad Walk and Little Broad Walk.

An open planting of young trees, representing many of the major tree groups, marks the area of the original Botanic Gardens. The southern part of the area in a large swathe of grass, marking the site of the 40 acre ( ha) Great Lawn, which once lay in front of the White House.

Around one-third of all visitors to Kew come through the historic Main Gates. Keynote architecture in the area includes the Gates themselves, the Aroid House and the Orangery. Both the latter buildings have recently been extensively renovated and refurbished.

In the Entrance Zone:

Down to.....Broad Walk

Down to.....The Orangery

Down to.....Nash Conservatory

Down to.....Main Gate

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Forward to.....On to: Riverside Zone

 

 
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