Palm House, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
This week’s #FriFotos* theme – autumn/fall – inspired me to add an extra post. I’ve just returned from a hectic few days in London, attending the World Travel Market and heaps of fringe fun. I took Wednesday morning off, however, to have a look at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. Even in November, arguably the greyest month of the year, this UNESCO-listed landscape garden looks beautiful.
Autumn leaves in song? All my life, I’ve been mysteriously drawn to this melody. Have a listen to Juliette Greco’s haunting rendition of Les feuilles mortes while you enjoy the photos:
The Queen’s Beasts
The Queen’s Beasts comprise 10 sculptures symbolising the different branches of Britain’s royal ancestry.
The Lion of England and The Falcon of the Plantagenets
The Orangerie, designed by Sir William Chambers
Kew Palace
This small, intimate royal palace was a country retreat for George III and his family – and where he stayed out of the public eye when he was ill. George III is best known for being mentally ill (probably a result of a blood disease known as porphyria) and for losing the colonies in the American War of Independence.
Kew Palace
River Thames, seen from Kew Palace
Autumn leaves at Kew Gardens
*#FriFotos is a weekly Twitter chat founded by @EpsteinTravels where travellers share their favourite photos. Each week has a theme. Search #FriFotos on Twitter to see more or to join in.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Here are more UNESCO World Heritage sites around the world.
Can use a shot of colour these days. Thanks.
Love it!
Are these Bar headed geese wandering around? It’s been a while since I was in Kew and I don’t recall seeing geese. I recall seeing parrots in the trees though!
What’s the World Travel Market? Sounds interesting!
@David – Yes, according to the staff, they are bar-headed geese. Quite a few of them wandered about, and they weren’t at all aggressive, like some geese can be if you get too close.
World Travel market is a huge (the world’s biggest) event of the year for the travel industry (including bloggers for the first time this year) – and a good place to meet with representatives of tourism boards and other interesting people to work with. It’s every year in November at the ExCel centre in the Docklands. Bloggers get press passes and it’s free. Also, there are heaps of interesting fringe events and meet-ups.
Beautiful photos. Who’s have thought the colours would be so vibrant in London – in November?! 🙂 Would have loved to have gone to the world travel mart. Hope you enjoyed it.
Julia
Absolutely gorgeous. Autumn is my favourite season for its colours. Thanks for sharing this.
Mette, Julia and Ana – thank you! I always enjoy London. And the WTM was interesting, if a bit overwhelming for this first-timer. Next year, I’ll plan better in advance.
I am also curious what the World Travel Market it? Fall sure is beautiful and you captured the beauty in your photos!
I love all your historical tid-bits -very interesting!
Oh and I forgot to mention I love the song you posted… Juliette Greco’s Les feuilles mortes. I’ve never heard it before and it is lovely!
@Shelly – Thanks so much. And see my reply to David above for more on the World Travel Market.
What a gorgeous photo essay. I’d love to visit the Organgerie!
I really loved Autumn in London! And even out in Kettering where I spent an overnight. ’twas a wonderful time because the gray was so punctuated with beautiful color.
Thanks for sharing!
And so good to meet you face-to-face at WTM, finally, as well as be on your quiz team 🙂
Such fun to meet you. too, Kirsten. Next time, we’ll win 🙂
Such beautiful photos….and I love the song 🙂
i’ve been there but i love looking at it through your “eyes”. how lovely!
Autumn in London is extraordinary! And the Botanic garden – I am totally in love with it. In my opinion this is one of the most romantic places in the whole world!!
Samuel, Michael, Jen and Anna – Thanks 🙂
It’s hard to believe these bright, colorful photos are still possible in dreary November. You had the right idea, I should have taken some time of from WTM and done something fun as well 🙂
Laurel – Pretty intensive days at WTM, wasn’t it? It was lovely to get a bit of fresh air and bright colours for a few hours.
I’ve always liked that song, too. Love this rendition — perfect accompaniment to your photos. I must visit Kew Gardens sometime – beautiful.
Love the shot of the bike!
The garden on the first photo is remarkable. I haven’t seen such a green blanket of grass before. They look very healthy and well cared. If only people will take care of the environment then i am sure this world will become a healthier place to live in.
i wish we have 4 seasons here in my country. autumn seems like a great season to take photographs 🙂
Very beautiful pictures! I don’t think I have a favorite as I loved them all. Fall colors are great.
Cathy, Robin, Jester, Gladys, Debbie – thanks 🙂
How have I not heard of this place before??? I love gardens, so this goes right to the top of new things to see in London. Thanks for letting me know and for sharing these gorgeous photos.
Kim – You know, many have told me that. Maybe people are so caught up with all the grandiose attractions in the centre of London. Kew is a little ways away (took about half an hour on the tube), but absolutely worth a visit. Kew itself was like a quirky and charming little village as well; reminded me of Hampstead, only on a smaller scale.
Such beautiful photos. And I have a weakness for Autumn Leaves, too. Mine is because I learned to sing it in French when I took French on college. Didn’t do well in French, but I could croon that tune!
Vera – it’s a beautiful song, isn’t it? Did you know Eric Clapton recorded it last year (in English). His version is very nice, as well.
Nice and reminds me I have not been to Kew in years maybe should find sometime soon for a visit, thanks.
Iain – it’s a lovely place. But then your country has heaps of beautiful, tranquil spots. Just like mine 🙂
Beautiful pictures, the colors of the autumn are gorgeous, although I don’t really like the season as it puts an end to the summer 🙂
Ugggh I can barely stand it! Between living in either the desert or the tropics, I never get to see fall colors. They are so beautiful! And I’m so jealous you got to go to WTM!!
I didn’t understand a single word Juliette Greco’s said in her rendition of Les feuilles mortes, but I listened to it as I looked through your photos and it was fantastic. It really does put you in the mood. Its no wonder why I love this time of the year as its just basically a soothing time. Not too cold, not too hot, but just right for the changing of times.
Gorgeous photos! Such beautiful fall colours! Funny, there’s a suburb Kew in Melbourne and I thought it was such a funny name. Should have known it was a place in the UK (so many suburbs in Australia named after places there)
@ Andrea and Jarrad – When we were in Melbourne, I was intrigued to see a part of the city was names St Kilda. Wondered whether it was named after that most remote of islands in the Hebrides.
I love these phots and the history that goes with them. Just beautiful.
These photos are beautiful.I was like Andrea, straight away I thought of Kew in Melbourne, Australia.
Your pictures are stunning! Thanks for linking up!
~Becca
I so wanted to visit Kew Gardens the last time we were in England. Ah, well, one day. Your photos are beautiful.
Wow! Those pictures are just gorgeous!!!
So colorful. Gorgeous.
Lovely photos – I particularly like Kew Palace – the colour is amazing! We had Kew Gardens on our list of places to see when we were in London last year and didn’t make it – next time for sure!
@Angela – I can understand that. End of summer, but then the coming winter, although harsh and dark and too long up here, is at least very pretty.
@Abby – I’ve often wondered how it would be to live without distinct seasons. And see you at WTM next year, perhaps…
@Sherry – it’s a lovely, haunting song, isn’t it… Autumn is my favourite season.
@Amy, Becca, Impulsive Addict, Sonja, Stephanie, RedNomad – thanks 🙂
@Jody and Lisa – thanks. And hope you make it next time 🙂
What a cool exterior! Sort of reminds me of the California Academy of Sciences–have you been there yet?
@Kristin – No, never been, but looked it up now. It does look a bit similar to the Palm House at Kew.
Beautiful photos. I miss autumn.
What a beautiful, magical spot! It’s got everything – scenery, fascinating history, architecture, intriguing oddities! What’s not to love?!
Hope you’re having a great weekend!!
@Stephanie and Red Nomad OZ – Thanks 🙂
Great photos. I love Kew Gardens! It is one of my favorite places in London.
@Lady – One of my favourites as well now. So beautiful and peaceful. Next time I’ll bring a book and loads of time…
Sophie, I live in London and cannot believe that in over 5 years in this city I haven’t managed to go to Kew Gardens yet. I love your pictures and will make sure I see the gardens this spring! Absolutely beautiful
@Christina – I know what you mean. Been in London a gazillion times (it’s just a quick 1.5 hrs away), but I’ve never managed to get to Kew before now. Really enjoyed it.
What lovely photos of Kew Gardens. I particularly liked the picture of the orange colored palace. Thanks for sharing.
That’s an impressive looking structure in the first photo, and a great interpretation of the song in the video. Love the rest of the images, too.
Happy New Year from Santiago, with fireworks in the background as I write!
@Cynthia and Andrew – Thanks for reading and all the best for 2012!
Wow these photos are amazing! I’ve been wanting to go to Kew Gardens for a long time but each time i’m in london for some reason I miss it. After seeing these photos I will need to make sure to take the time to go.
Thanks, Anwar. Me, too – heard about it for ages, but had never gotten around to visiting Kew. Glad I finally did. Now I’m curious to see the gardens in full spring bloom!
Great pics!…I don’t get much of a Fall here in Florida, so it’s nice to find when I travel…
I absolutely loved this. Such gorgeous photos – and the music, too. Just wonderful!!!
Thanks Louise, so kind 🙂
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