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Benedict Allen (Kew Gardens)

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Benedict Allen (Kew Gardens)

It was Kew Gardens that provided Benedict Allen with his first taste of exploration. "Everything you could possibly imagine or want as a child was here... and the smells and textures to go with it".

Arguably one of the most impressive gardens in the UK, these 300 acres are home to landscaped lawns, formal gardens, greenhouses and a botanical research centre which maintains the largest plant collection in the world. The Chinese Pagoda is arguably Kew's most recognisable structure but its other buildings include the Gallery and Queen Charlotte's Cottage. Says Benedict "...this place in the end gave me my dream as a child, to be an explorer".

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Benedict's favourite spot

A good friend of Benedict's had sadly passed away and a tree had been planted in her honour. In this episode Benedict visits the site for the first time.

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Featured plants

In this episode we featured:

Rattan Palm (Calamus Longipinna)

Annato (Bixa Orellana)

Giant Waterlily (Victoria Cruziana)

Common Oak (Quercus Rober)

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The details

Address
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond
Surrey, TW9 3AB
Tel: (0208) 332 5000

Adults: £11.75
Concessions: £8.75
Children under 17: free

Visit Kew Gardens website for opening times.

Getting there
Kew is situated on the south bank of the River Thames near Richmond, about 10 km south-west of London. It has its own station on the London Underground and the following buses also serve the gardens: Nos 65, 237, 267 and 391.

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Other gardens nearby

If you are in the area why not visit Hampton Court and its recently completed Van Kampen Gardens, one of the most ambitious horticultural creations of our time. Gertrude Jekyll's walled garden at Loseley Park is also worth visiting.