Richmond and Kew

Kew Palace

Kew Palace
In the grounds of the Royal Botanical Gardens
Kew Surrey

Kew Palace was the former home of King George III and Queen Charlotte, and their large family.  It has recently been the subject of intensive restoration over the past 10 years and is now open to the public. 

Left: Kew Palace from the river

Kew Palace was originally built as a private house for a merchant and was used by the Royal Family between 1728 and 1818, in conjunction with several nearby buildings - which sadly no longer exist. 

King George III (the one who was involved in the American War of Independence) and his beloved Queen, Charlotte,  plus their 15 children enjoyed an intimate domestic routine here.

The Palace was above all else a family home, and the rooms rang with the laughter of the children of the King.  They were involved in family games and birthday celebrations in these rooms, all of which have been documented. 

However, the mood darkened in later years between 1800 and 1820 and the Palace became a retreat for the sick King (who was actually suffering from the disease known as porphyia), and also a virtual prison for his unmarried elder daughters, as his son Prince George ("Prinny") became the insufferable Regent and assumed all power.

Left: The Gardens near the Palace

King George III was a fascinating person - and not "mad" in the modern sense of the word.  He was deeply interested in such a wide variety of topics such as botany, astronomy, architecture, music, art and agriculture - and his rare and unusual collection of artifacts at Kew underlines this. 

Alongside his collection you can see the rooms full of family treasures such as the young princesses' dolls house. 

                                                        Right: Kew Palace

The rest of the Palace has had the furniture, decorations and drapes completely restored to be as they were when the Palace was last occupied.  Queen Charlotte died here in 1818, and the old King - now blind and nearly 90 years old - was transferred to the castle at Windsor, where he too died in 1820.  A sad end to what had been a delightful family life together, full of fun and laughter... 

Kew Palace is open daily until 30 September 2008. from 10.00am to 5.00pm.  The Palace is in the gardens of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, and you need to get to the Main Gate of the Gardens as the nearest access point to the Palace.  It is unique and not to be missed.

For directions and parking visit www.hrp.org.uk for full details.

Nearest Tube station: Kew Gardens - District Line then a short walk

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