What are the Reasons for the Partial Closure of London Kew Gardens?
The partial closure of London Kew Gardens has been necessitated by a range of factors. These include the need to carry out vital maintenance and renovations, ensuring the safety and preservation of the iconic botanical gardens. While similar closures may occur in other places, such as the brisbane city botanic gardens, each situation is unique and tailored to the specific requirements and challenges faced by the respective institutions.
What Makes London Kew Gardens Special and Worth Visiting?
London Kew Gardens, famous for their beauty and significance of public gardens, are a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. With over 50,000 species of plants and a wide array of impressive glasshouses, it is a haven for botanical wonders. Boasting UNESCO World Heritage status, this green oasis offers a delightful escape from the bustling city, showcasing the stunning interconnectedness of nature. Explore Kew Gardens and immerse yourself in the serene surroundings that truly make it special.
What Impact Does Overwatering Have on London Kew Gardens?
Overwatering containers at London Kew Gardens can have detrimental effects. Excessive water can lead to root rot, stifling the growth and health of plants. It disrupts the delicate balance required for plants to thrive, causing wilting, yellow leaves, and even death. To maintain a flourishing ecosystem, it is crucial to avoid overwatering containers and ensure the optimal amount of moisture for their flourishing greenery at Kew Gardens.
London’s Iconic Landmark Urgently Needs Millions for Maintenance
The Largest Victorian Glasshouse in the World, the Temperate House Might Face Closure on Health and Safety Grounds
The Royal Botanical Gardens, known best as Kew Gardens are located on an 300-acre site in west London. They are one of the most favourite attractions of the tourists, as well as the Londoners. Kew Gardens are home to the world’s largest living plant collection, expanding for 251 years. One of the main Kew attractions is the 151-year-old Temperate House, which now faces closure on health and safety grounds, because of a shortage of money for its maintenance and refurbishment.
The independent review of Kew, prepared by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has raised concerns about the state and existence of the Gardens’ most popular buildings and the scientists warn that this world-class research centre is simply threatened.
It became obvious that the money from the entry tickets was not enough for current activity of the Gardens and for maintaining their role as a science centre, a tourist attraction and a custodian of over 40 listed buildings. The threat is that something precious will have to be surrendered.
It is already a challenge for many people to visit Kew, as a single adult ticket costs 13 pounds. A family of four would have to spend 50 pounds and more if the parking fee and refreshment costs are added. For this reason, many people decide not to go to Kew Gardens and take their families to other sites, where entrance does not cost a penny, parking spaces are free and the impressions are nearly the same. It seems unlikely that the entrance fee to Kew Gardens would rise, therefore the Royal Botanic Gardens need more subsidy from the government.
However, this seems unlikely, too. Last year, Kew received 28.5 million Pounds of the taxpayers’ money and to keep the subsidy at this level is hardly possible in the current financial climate. Kew also raises money and not only from the entry tickets (5.5 million Pounds last year). Nearly 23.5 million Pounds last year came from catering or commercial activity. The report also suggests that Kew should raise up to 13 million Pounds from its own fundraising activities within next 3 years as it was 8.8 million Pounds last year.
The report reproaches the management of Kew against identifying basic savings and attracting more visitors so far. “The layout of the site is not easy for the average visitor to understand. There is a complicated array of gardens, glasshouses, galleries, shops and catering facilities that do not form a pattern that is readily apparent. The main entrance is recognised to be poor, it does not give the sense of scale, quality and excitement that is required”, the report says.
The 20 million Pounds backlog means that some crucial decisions have to be made. The glass and wood Temperate House has not been refurbished for nearly 30 years. It slowly starts to fail health and safety standards. The nearby Palm House will soon need a costly refurbishment, too and the money for these two buildings has to be found.
However, the Kew management will have to look for additional funds somewhere else than the central budget. Public sponsorship, ‘adopt a pane’ schemes or some of the Heritage Lottery money might help solve some crucial issues. More festivals and exhibitions will take place, too. The Gardens’ layout is supposed to be changed and over 20 miles of path added as well.
The Royal Botanical Gardens have to change. They have to meet current expectations and can’t be just a place for a quiet tea and a walk. Kew is supposed not only to be showing and teaching, but also earning enough money to do so. The management knows it very well, but it might be difficult to introduce some changes.
Whatever the case might be, Kew Gardens have to catch up with the 21st century, instead of being just an old attraction. People are not always keen on paying a lot of money only because something is old. There are much older landmarks in Britain, which cope quite well and attract more and more visitors every year. This might be a good sign and motivation for Kew as no one would ever deny the Gardens’ role, their meaning and the need of keeping them open.
