Ambitious programme to transform our science

Kew’s critical work to address the biodiversity and climate crises requires world-class science facilities, built to contemporary standards. 

Modernising our laboratories and workspaces; providing for the long-term care and growth of the collections; and creating collaborative environments for closer interaction with our partners are a priority for the organisation in delivering Our manifesto for change.   

As part of the vision to transform our research and collections infrastructure, Kew’s Board of Trustees decided in 2021 that moving our herbarium off site was required to enable us to care for and grow these collections into the next century. 

Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP) in Reading was identified as the preferred site earlier this year, subject to technical due diligence which has now been satisfactorily completed.  

Our Trustees have confirmed their recommendation to relocate Kew’s herbarium collection to TVSP and to progress to the next phase of design and planning for a new facility. Construction of a new herbarium is conditional upon resolving several outstanding issues and securing funding.  

This marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Kew; we strongly believe it will further our critical conservation work, tackling the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. 

It will also offer the unique opportunity to create a world-leading collections research hub at TVSP with the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the University of Reading, which will have new facilities adjacent at the site.

Looking ahead

A new, purpose-built facility at TVSP will allow us to care for and curate our irreplaceable herbarium collections well into the next century; provide capacity for their growth; and increase their use in botanical research and conservation. 

It will be a centre for excellence in both taxonomic science and training, a resource for researchers around the world, able to accommodate staff, students and visitors .   

If we are successful in securing funding for the new herbarium, it – and the wider programme to transform our science facilities across all sites – will represent the single largest investment at Kew in our 264-year history.   

We have already begun this journey as we digitise our ~8.5M plant and fungal specimens to ensure global and free access, and it will culminate with redevelopment of the Kew site. 

The proposed 'Science Quarter' will provide us with state-of-the-art research, education, and collaboration facilities and will also enable the public to engage with our collections and research to an extent they have not been able to before.