Last weekend we visited my Auntie Maggie, who lives in SW London, for the weekend. Both of my parents grew up in that area and we visited fairly regularly as kids and had lots of days out and things, so there is a lot of memories there from my childhood, and I look forward to sharing some of those places, and memories with Hubby & Monkey over the years.
On Sunday we visited the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. We always drove past the entrance to Kew on our route through London so I have a lot of memories related to it, and the last time I had been was many years ago with my Granddad, when he was in the early stages of Alzheimers. Quite a while ago. It is somewhere we talk about a lot as a family though as my Aunt actually volunteers there!
She has been volunteering there for many years and works a lot with Orchids and always works the Orchid Festival every year. She loves what she does there so it is a regular topic of conversation. It was suggested we go there during our visit and we jumped at the chance to see the place! Now, unfortunately, I forgot my camera so everything was just taken on my phone, so there aren’t as many photos of all of the gorgeous flowers as I would have liked to take! Plus, the place is huge and we barely touched the surface, there is lots more to see on another day!
It was a grey old start to the day and rain was threatened but we decided to go for it anyway and luckily the rain held off! Monkey was in charge of the map 😉 (good job Maggie knew where she was going)
and he loved running around and looking at all of the flowers..
… and he was fascinated by all the planes overhead.
Maggie helped plant these beauties (She did tell me what they were but I can’t remember now, sorry Mags!)
It is a fascinating plants as in addition to all of the wonderful plants, and hothouses, there are lots of unexpected architectural delights such as temples and bridges to be seen peeking through the foliage at various points, which I love 🙂
There is the fantastic Pagoda, which is open all season this year and can be climbed, which offers supposedly fantastic views out of London, although with my pelvis in the state it is in at the moment we decided not to attempt the 238 step climb to the top that day! We did however head to the treetop walk, where there is handy lift for those of us less able to manage the stairs. One thing about going in the left, rather than climbing, is that the height hits you pretty suddenly, and it is seriously high up! As I guess you would expect from a treetop walk! 🙂 It wobbles a bit under foot at certain points too giving a slightly unsteady feeling in the pit of your stomach! It was fascinating though, with lots of tree related facts dotted about, and some lovely views out over the gardens. There is also a funky donations tube where you drop a coin in and hear it clunk all the way down to the ground! Monkey loved that!!
We wandered a little more around the Japanese gardens, and Monkey found a perfect toddler sized path to wander round 🙂
Then at the base of the Pagoda is a display called the Healing Man. They have created a display in the shape of the human body, and then planted medicinal plants in the places where they are used to heal things. Certain things planted near the heart, others in the head etc. etc. It was actually pretty fascinating and there was all sorts of plants that I never realised were used for medicinal purposes, and they displayed it all in a really creative, effective way. It was fascinating! And Monkey liked beating the drum they had for the heart 🙂
After lunch we headed to some of the hot houses, where my Aunt spends a lot of her time there, and the palm house was magnificent, really reminded me of being in the jungle actually (my Aunt and I spent a month together with a group of others in the rainforests of Belize about 10 years ago do some conservation work).
The heat is incredible and some of the plants are fascinating, I never even thought before what a Ginger plant looks like – I know what the root looks like, but not the plant, but, well, here it is! Amazing.
The Waterlily house was incredible and some of the flowers were just so beautiful, and the lilypads are huge!
That was about the end of our visit to kew, Monkey was tired and it was a lot of walking around for preggo me, so we will have to go back another day to see some of the other delights. It really is a fab day out there with so much to see – we never even got to the play areas, which are supposed to be fantastic! I definitely recommend a visit if you are ever in that neck of the woods 🙂
Oh my, I’d be in heaven there! I love the look of that tree top walk-I want to try it. How fabulous that your aunt volunteers there and you have that connection to such a wonderful place. And I love the picture of Monkey with the map 🙂
Honestly you would love it, there are so many beautiful trees!! It is a really fab place xx
Kew is great but I have not been for years and there was no tree top walk when I was there – that looks fabulous!
It really is fab and they have so much more there now! xx
As you know as a family it holds some l
Wonderful memories. The view from the top of the pagoda is great. Cf
Oh, wow – what an amazing place to visit! I do love that Healing Man idea, too.
Yeah I think you and your kiddies would love it Jocelyn! The Healing man is fascinating!
Such a beautiful place to visit and so much fresh air and space to enjoy. Looks like a lovely day out and I love the tree top walk.
Ut us lovely, so much space to run around! 🙂 xx
Looks absolutely amazing and so stunning. Love all the amazing photos too. Looks like yall had so much fun!!!! #magicmoments
Thanks lovely, it really was a fab day out! xx
The flowers are so lovely! I miss aloe. We used that a lot as a kid for my hair and my cuts. Also on when I get sunburned! I miss those days and I miss those plants =) #whatsthestory
Aww I bet, we have aloe plants in the house for burns so can imagine they would have been great! xx
That looks fab! I remember going there as a child but haven’t been for many years. definitely one to add to the list of places to visit in London.x#mmwbh
Definitely, it’s such a lovely place 🙂 xx
Beautiful! How good does the tree top walk look? I can’t get over the ginger plants, wow!! #MMWBH
Thank you, the tree top walk is pretty incredible and there is so much to see! xx
I think those flowers are Busy Lizzies – my Dad would often give me a packet of seeds to plant in the garden somewhere. I think he preferred practical plants like veggies etc but I was allowed my little patch for some flowers or other random things. I think he still has a couple of my “Love in the Mist” plants that spring up each year – even now!
We went to Kew for my Mum’s birthday a couple of years ago. My Dad and I kept messing around and took pictures next to the giant Bonsai(?) tree that looks like it’s been knocked over and we attempted to hug Sequoias – on some occasions even my Dad and I couldn’t reach and my Mum kept protesting that she’d get her top grubby but I think she did join in for one hug of a tree lol.
ooh yes I think that’s what she said! Aww sounds like you had a lovely visit haha Monkey likes to knock on trees and there was a lot of that going on 🙂 xx
Wow that place looks fantastic!! Its mad that you can be so close to the hustle and bustle of busy London, but be in such a serene peaceful green space! Love the look of the tree top walk, although I’m a little bit nervous with heights so not sure if it would be good for me!x
It is mad, although the very regular planes flying overhead are a good reminder! It is incredible though even I found it a bit nerve wracking and I don’t mind heights so may not be the best if you are scared of heights 🙂 xx
The tree top walk looks great! The whole place looks lovely, hope Monkey enjoyed the visit 🙂 #MMWBH
Thanks lovely it is fab and he loved it! xx
It looks such a fantastic place, totally beautiful.
#TMMWBH
Thanks it really is lovely! xx
Stunning photos! I would love to visit here too, looks fabulous #MMWBH
Thank you! it is a fabulous place! xx
Wow that looks like a beautiful place and I’ve never heard of it before. We will definitely be popping in for a visit next time we venture down south!
Thanks so much for sharing (and your pics look fab!)
Visiting you from #mmwbh
It really is a lovely place and definitely well worth a visit! Xx
Looks like a lovely day. I’ve not been to kew since I was in college but looks like little one had a blast. Shall have to take the kids soon.
It was great and he really loved it, definitely worth a visit with the kids! Xx
what absolutely beautiful grounds! your aunt must love going there to volunteer. and to work with orchids… what a dream. they are one of my favorites.
They are fabulous aren’t they? Yes she really does it enjoy it! xx
I’ve not made it to Kew yet but seeing these photos makes we want to go soon! What a great idea that Treetop walk is, you must see so many things that you totally miss being down on the ground. And that palm house – wowsers. What a great day out it looks – and Monkey looks so cute pointing at planes!
Thanks for joining in and sharing again x
Ooh yes I bet you would love it, and get much better photos than me! It really is amazing with so much to see, and Monkey had a ball 🙂 xx
Kew gardens is brilliant. Not been for a while but the Palm House use to be my favourite bit. I really need to go back. Those water lilies look huge!
It’s fantastic isn’t it? and you’re right the Palm House is fabulous! xx
I love Kew it is such an inspirational place and monkey looks like he had awesome fun there #HDYGG
It is incredible isn’t it? He had a great time and we barely touched the surface so I look forward to going again one day soon! xx
I’d really love to visit Kew, working there must be a great source of joy for your aunt. Lovely photos of Monkey x #familyfriday
Thank you, yes it is amazing and she loves it there! xx
I would love to visit Kew, seems like a perfect place for kids to run around in. It looks like you all had such a great day and you have some wonderful photos to remember it! #FamilyFriday
it is such a fantastic place and great for all the family really. Thank you 🙂 xx
This is another place on my list of “I really should go there at some point…” The treetop walk sounds fantastic! Thanks for linking up – #FamilyFriday
Oh yeah you definitely should go, it is fab! The treetop walk is incredible too, though a bit wibbly 🙂 xx
Such a long time since I have visited but it still looks every bit as beautiful. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
It really is stunning, pleasure, thank you for hosting 🙂 xx
Lovely photos, I’ve not been to Kew since I was a child, would love to explore the Tree Top Walk with Monkey now #CountryKids
Oh it is fab and I bet monkey would love it! xx
Just beautiful! I’ve always fancied visiting here and your post reminded me how much 🙂
It is a stunning place and really worth a visit if you get a chance! xx
Oh looks amazing hun! So pretty! It puts my local Botanical Gardens to utter shame! The tree top walk looks brilliant. Glad you had a lovely day and I hope you are feeling ok with le bump xxx
oh, wow! those lilypads are indeed amazing!
Aren’t they just? xx
Oh my word how awesome is it there! I’ve wanted to go for ages but with working in London 3 days a week and now being in Surrey it’s just not been possible. Sounds like you had a great time and I just love the photos. Beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing with #whatsthestory
It is incredible and I bet you would love it! It is a fantastic place 🙂 xx
You’ve just confirmed that Kew Gardens is on our list to visit now we’re back in UK. Can’t wait for the kids to explore the tree tops. #countrykids
oh definitely, they will love it I’m sure! xx
Wow, this place looks amazing! Monkey looks like he had a brilliant time 🙂
#countrykids
It is fantastic and he absolutely loved it!! xx
Oh those gardens are stunning and you have actually inspired me to take the children to our local Botanical gardens too! Thanks!! Gorgeous photos and I adore that first one of the wee man, shades on checking out the map! lol! Thanks for linking up with #MMWBH xx
Thank you, haha I know, so cute bless him! The gardens are fab so it is definitely worth checking out the ones near you too! xx
Ah Kew, it looks amazing I have always wanted to visit, and looking at these images it makes me want to go even more
Aww it is fab Emma and I bet you would really love it! xx
Wow, it really does look like a fantastic place to visit! #CountryKids
Thank you it is fab! xx