Kew Gardens

Since the weather forecast was cloudy early and rain around 11am, we decided to stick with our plan to visit Kew Gardens in the morning and see what the weather was like after that. We took the tube to Kew Gardens station and they were a short walk from there through a rather upmarket neighbourhood. Our visit started with a tour in a small group guided by Mary, a very knowledgeable volunteer. She led us through the Palm House,  past the Rose Garden Tea Party, into the Waterlily House where there was a pumpkin pyramid, past the Fungi Fairy Ring and on to the Global Kitchen Garden, where she left us to continue on our own.

Pumpkin Pyramid reflected in the Waterlily Pool

Fungi Fairy Ring, created from willow branches

More of the Fungi Fairy Ring

Rose Garden Tea Party

Mary was keen to impress on us the value of the work done by the scientific staff at Kew Gardens both to conserve plants which are in danger of extinction and to encourage genetic research into the therapeutic use of plants and the development of plants which are more resilient to climate change, pests and disease.

Since there was still no sign of rain, we spent the rest of the day at the gardens, visiting the Princess of Wales Conservatory, the Alpine House, the Japanese garden and the Chinese pagoda. We also climbed up to the Rhizotron and Xstrata Treetop Walkway which was a circular walkway eighteen metres above ground, through a canopy of chestnuts, limes and oaks.

The Queen's Beasts

Alpine flowers

Japanese Garden

Detail of Japanese garden

Chinese Pagoda

Treetop walk

We returned to the city at 5pm just as the rain arrived and got rather wet on the way back to our apartment. There we were met by a handyman from the owner's business who managed to unblock our toilet (which had been blocked since Sunday!) and to get the heating working. I have neglected to mention that we have had no heating since we arrived in London and have been sleeping in our thermal underwear!

This evening we caught up with a friend of Michelle's, Rowan, and had a relaxing meal at the Porcupine Pub, a short walk down Charing Cross Road. A lovely way to spend our last evening in London.