Kew Gardens and Palace

Kew Gardens and Palace are in Richmond, SW London.

Kew Palace is the smallest of the Royal Palaces. It was built in 1631 for Samuel Fortney, a successful Flemish merchant. 

In 1781 King George III purchased it to use as a nursery for his children. 

As far as palaces go, it is very simple.

The significance lies in the gardens. It is designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The gardens have collections of thousands of plants from around the world. 

It is also used as a research centre. 

The grounds were devised in the late 1860's so that botany students could experience the diversity of the plant kingdom. 

The rock garden is divided into six geographic regions: Europe, Mediterranean and Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, North America, and South America. 

The library and archives at Kew are one of the world's largest botanical collections, with over half a million items, including books, botanical illustrations, photographs, letters and manuscripts, periodicals, and maps. 

At Christmas the paths are bathed in festive lights.

This is Queen Charlotte Cottage -  King George III gave it to her as a wedding gift. 

Gossip Alert: Prince Charles proposed to Lady Diana Spencer over dinner in this humble abode. 

Here's another piece of useless trivia to WOW unsuspecting guests at cocktail parties: 

Kew Gardens has one of the largest compost heaps in Europe! It is made from wastes of the garden, and, manure from the stables of the Royal Household Cavalry.

If that isn't enough for you to WOW everyone, then just let them know that the compost is occasionally auctioned off for fundraisers! 

I can't imagine if that piece of trivia would be a conversation starter, or, a conversation stopper! 

If you do try it out, let me know how it works for you.