Kew Conservatory System

By the time Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837, huge structures like those at Kew were well established, but to ordinary Victorians the opportunity to bring into their homes the glamour of winter gardens, seen at continental spas or grand houses, was irresistible. Conservatories were primarily used to provide hothouse plants and exotic fruits to enrich the Victorian diet and introduce the scent of the tropics.

A botanical conservatory can be the most inviting room in the house - a quiet place to read, or a pleasant room in which to entertain, surrounded by plants and flowers. Lit by candlelight or moonlight, it becomes a magical place - regardless of the weather outside.