The greatest glasshouse in the world awaits

World's greatest glasshouse 

The story of the greatest glasshouse in the world, its long journey back to magnificence, and the 10,000 plants, many of which are rare and threatened, that are soon to call it home. 

Kew Gardens is in the final month of the largest restoration project in its entire history. On 5 May, the doors of its spectacular Temperate House will be thrown open, revealing 10,000 breathtaking plants, making this magnificent structure the true jewel in Kew’s crown – an architectural wonder, horticulturists’ haven, the most captivating of classrooms. 

The breathtaking plants 

The world’s largest Victorian glasshouse will once again be home – as it had been since its birth in 1863 – to some of the world’s rarest and most threatened plants. In contrast to their sumptuous, romantic surroundings, these plants present a stark message; despite being the foundation of pretty much all life on earth, we are allowing them to fall prey to a variety of threats. When the last plant of a particular species dies out, what might it take with it? A new cure for Cancer? Or Ebola? The Temperate House will tell the stories of the plants that Kew has rescued, and the journeys they have taken to reach the sanctuary of their new home. 
 
Entering the glasshouse, visitors will embark on a round-the-world adventure. They might find themselves in Mauritius, where they will see Dombeya mauritiana, a tree that was thought to be extinct in the wild until Kew's renowned 'plant messiah' Carlos Magdalena found one growing in the Mauritian highlands. After many trials and tribulations (including forming a human ladder to reach the lowest branch!), Carlos was able to gather and return with cuttings, and Kew is now the only place in the world with this tree in cultivation. Around the corner, transported to the mountains of Nepal, visitors will encounter the Taxus wallichiana, exploited for the Taxol market (a chemotherapy drug) and now subject to a clonal propagation program to help conserve it in the wild. 
 
Richard Barley, Director of Horticulture at RBG Kew, says: 
 
"Over the past few months, I have watched as some of the world's rarest plants finally reach their home. And what a home it will be - a glistening cathedral, the new glass allowing the sun to stream in, the ironwork restored to its glossy best. 
 
"The Temperate House will be for everyone. From young to old, for budding gardeners or aspiring artists, for those making a pilgrimage from great distances, and for our local community, we hope every visitor will see plants in a new light”. 

A temple of learning 

It has been a priority for Kew to ensure that the re-opening of the Temperate House elicits rich engagement with the local community. Based on significant evidence showing links between health, wellbeing and connecting to nature, the opening of the first ever Kew Community Allotments have been created to engage with a wide range of groups including those with additional needs. Kew is also working with local children’s centres to invite young parents and children to take part in the first ever Kew Babies programme, where they learn through craft and music activities. 
 
Apprenticeships  

Given the unique nature of restoring a building of this calibre, Kew introduced an apprenticeship programme, part-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, with the aim of providing young people from local areas of high deprivation with the skills, training and confidence to succeed in specialist horticultural careers. 
 
Ten young people consequently spent a year carefully removing plants from the building, and since then have been tending to them in their temporary homes and shadowing Kew’s horticultural display teams. In the run up to the re-opening, they have been heavily involved in the re-planting process. The scheme has also equipped an additional six apprentices with the skills needed to work in conservation and construction for heritage sites, learning carpentry, iron work and masonry. All are now all qualified to find employment in gardens and heritage sites across the UK. 
 
Youth Explainer Programme  

Kew’s first programme of its kind will see teenagers aged between 14 and 17 volunteer as guides in the Temperate House. They have each undergone six months’ training on the plants that visitors will encounter– knowledge they will enthusiastically put into practice throughout the summer of 2018. 
 
Schools are also a vital part of Kew’s community and this May we launch the Endeavour Programme, a new online learning platform that will reach schools throughout the UK and engage children in challenge-based activities.

Notes to editors 

The Temperate House opens on 5 May 2018, with a press launch on 3 May – please register any interest in attending with the Kew press team. 
 
Private hire 

For an event like no other, this incredibly unique space will be available for private hire, from corporate events to weddings. For further information, Please call 020 8332 5641 or email venues@kew.org. 
 
Funding the restoration of the Temperate House

In 2011 the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) awarded Kew a development fund of £890,000 towards the Temperate House restoration project, followed by a further £14.7m for the restoration of the historic Temperate House in March 2013. On top of this, Defra (the Government department that provides approximately half of Kew’s funding) has contributed £10.4m and Kew has raised an additional £7.7m for the project from private donors. The £41m restoration project will be completed in May 2018. 
 
The Heritage Lottery Fund 

Thanks to National Lottery players, the Heritage Lottery Fund invests money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about - from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife.www.hlf.org.uk.  Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #HLFsupported and #NationalLottery.