In the middle of the 19^th century, the British were busy exploring the four corners of the world. Explorers would return in their sailing ships with stories of amazing places and people. They would also bring back samples of newly discovered animals and plants that had never been seen in the Western world before. In 1840, gardens at Kew Park in southwest London were developed so these newly discovered plants could grow. To make sure they could flourish in England’s cold and frosty weather, special buildings were designed which could maintain the correct heat and humidity. One was called Temperate House.

Opened in 1863, Temperate House was one of the very first glasshouses to be built. It has been home to some of the rarest, most exotic and threatened plant species in the world. When it was first opened, thousands of people visited to see for the very first-time plants that until then could only be viewed in books.

Temperate House covers 4,880 square metres, and as the word ‘glasshouse’ suggests, its walls are made from squares of glass. This allows the sunlight and warmth to flood in whenever the sun is shining.

After nearly 150 years, it was decided that it was time to renovate Temperate House and bring it into the 21^st century. This has been a long and expensive process. It was closed to the public in 2013 and 500 plants were taken out of the building and rehoused. Some of the more rare and delicate plants were covered and left whilst the renovation took place around them. It took over five years to replace much of the original iron and woodwork. Thousands of panes of glass have been replaced, and many of the paths inside the glasshouse have been repaved.

The renovation has cost 450 million dollars. The 500 plants that were removed have now been put back, together with a further 9,500 plants being added. Some of these will take up to 75 years to look their best!

Question:

Take a closer look at Temperate House

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