The Temperate House

Sir William Hooker, as Director of Kew, had to campaign for money and support for his projects from the Board of Woods and Forests. With much persistence between 1853 and 1859 he finally persuaded the Board and the Government that the need for a large temperate glasshouse had become overwhelming, as the collection of tender woody plants had become so large.

The new building was to be sited in the Pleasure Grounds opposite the expected new entrance that would have served the proposed new railway station. However, the station was built further north, at its current site, and Victoria Gate was opened to serve it.

In 1859, the Government allocated £10,000 to build the Temperate House and directed Decimus Burton to prepare designs for this 'long-desiderated' conservatory. However, the building firm employed to construct the building, William Cubitt & Company, altered his design.

Work began in 1860. The octagons were completed in 1861, the centre section in 1862 and foundations for the wings were part laid when, in 1863, the Treasury called a halt to proceedings. This was because the account from Cubitt for the construction of the main block and octagons had come to £29,000. However, the unfinished building was opened to the public that year.

Work was not resumed until more than 30 years later, in August 1895. The south wing was finished in 1897, then the contractor became bankrupt, so the north wing was completed by another in 1898 and the House as a whole was fully opened in May 1899.

In its time, the Temperate House was the largest plant house in the world. It is now the world's largest surviving Victorian glass structure and at 4,880 square metres, it is still the largest public glasshouse at Kew, twice the size of the Palm House.

Back to: 1841-1885: The flowering of Kew