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General => The Shed => Topic started by: betula on July 05, 2008, 22:12:58

Title: KEW GARDENS
Post by: betula on July 05, 2008, 22:12:58
Our college is taking us to Kew on Tuesday as an end of course treat.Last time we will all be together.sob sob.

However we are all really looking forward to it as most of us have never been before,I understand we will not see it all in one day so can anyone tell me about their fave areas at kew as want to get the most out of the day. :)
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: lorna on July 05, 2008, 22:14:29
Hope you enjoy, don't forget the pics.
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: Georgie on July 05, 2008, 22:23:27
It depends how long you are going to be there but you can see a good amount in a day.  I like all the glass houses and the Queen's Gardens for the fantastic herbs and old descriptions of their uses best.  They have a new treetop walk but that's no good to me - scared of heights.  The food prices are top whack mind, so unless you are flush I'd take your own.  Have a good day.  :)

G x
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: tonybloke on July 05, 2008, 23:31:04
Our college trip at kew was great, and so was the henry moore sculptures. You can get round the whole place easily in about 5 hours.
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: theothermarg on July 06, 2008, 16:57:58
went there yesterday and really cannot think about what bit is the best ! what is easy to miss are the students vegy plots it,s by the bonsae house (bottom right hand corner of the map) there are loads of baby moorhen and ducklings around and the best loos are by kew palace although they are all good
marg
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: tonybloke on July 07, 2008, 12:51:46
they've also got these lovely Victorian porcelain gent's![attachment=1] ;D ;D
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: Suzanne on July 07, 2008, 13:26:23
Not something half of us would get to see at Kew  ;D
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: Gardengirl on July 07, 2008, 17:13:22
Hope the weather is kinder than today Betula :o  You may be confined to the glass houses.  If so, don't forget to look in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, some lovely plants in there. As Tony says, you should be able to take in most of it, a bit hard on the old feet though, but there is always the train you can hop on for a rest ;) Have a great day. Look forward to some pics.
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: betula on July 08, 2008, 22:57:51
Well what a lovely day at Kew.NOT.

The coach did not turn up.

Really annoyed.Put the dog into kennels,arranged with neighbour to look after old dog,Got up at five am trecked over to Birmingham to meet up.Stood in the cold,and no show.

Lots of very disappointed people.I felt really sorry for the youngsters on the NVQ courses as they were really excited and looking forward to it.

If I knew the name of the coach company I would name and shame them.

They are trying to arrange it for next week but not sure if I can do it.

It has been one of those days :(
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: lorna on July 08, 2008, 23:00:36
Crikey Betula how annoying, sorry to hear that.
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: Tulipa on July 08, 2008, 23:14:18
What a shame, you were so looking forward to your trip.  I do hope they can arrange it again next week for you.

The best bit will be that you still haven't said 'goodbye' to your fellow students!

Fingers crossed...

T.
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: glosterwomble on July 08, 2008, 23:18:26
 :o The coach company should give the college a freebie!! I do hope you can make it next week or whenever you can, it's a nice place.
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: betula on July 08, 2008, 23:19:41
Yes,was hoping to sneak a peep at Tonys Victorian gents LOL
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: Gardengirl on July 09, 2008, 10:20:49
So ssorry to hear about your rotten day betula.  I agree, the coach company should definitely give you a freebie. Hope you finally get to Kew, well worth a visit.
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: artichoke on July 09, 2008, 16:17:05
When you finally get there (sorry about the inexcusable coach problem), I have always liked the Alpine House - it's on a small scale but absolutely perfect. Another place I always liked was the carnivorous area in the P of Wales house, another small scale but perfect place full of really fascinatingly evolved plants; it's near the gigantic waterlily, another plant not to miss. I worked at Kew until five years ago and always enjoyed looking at the students' vegetable areas as I entered the herbarium, but apparently they have moved.

I shall have to go back there soon to see the new Shirley Sherwood exhibition building for botanical art, which opened in April. It sounds spectacular.
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: caroline7758 on July 09, 2008, 21:32:22
We were there yesterday. I think my fave bit was the perennial borders in front of the Palm House, which are much less formal than usual.The tree-top walkway was impressive, as were the giant lilies, which were in flower. In the waterlily house, they were growing lots of varieties of peppers and chillies round the sides, which was interesting, as were the student veg plots, which were being judged by a chap with a flat cap and a clipboard when we were there.
If it's any comfort, betula, it was swarming with school parties and a lot of areas seemed to be "undergoing renovation" so maybe it'll be even better when you do get there!
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: tonybloke on July 09, 2008, 22:42:40
I took nearly 200 photo's when i visited, I'll stick them on a c.d. and post them to you, loads of henry moore, as well as the plants.
rgds, Tony ;)
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: valmarg on July 09, 2008, 23:01:16
Just as a matter of interest. how much does it cost to get in to Kew Gardens?

The last time we went it cost 15p per person.

valmarg
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: betula on July 09, 2008, 23:10:09
Quote from: tonybloke on July 09, 2008, 22:42:40
I took nearly 200 photo's when i visited, I'll stick them on a c.d. and post them to you, loads of Henry Moore, as well as the plants.
rgds, Tony ;)

That is so very kind of you Tony.I will look forward to looking at those.Thank you very much :)
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: betula on July 09, 2008, 23:13:32
Quote from: valmarg on July 09, 2008, 23:01:16
Just as a matter of interest. how much does it cost to get in to Kew Gardens?

The last time we went it cost 15p per person.

valmarg


I have no idea.College was sorting that out.I am sure lots of people will know
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: Gardengirl on July 10, 2008, 10:56:59
Quote from: valmarg on July 09, 2008, 23:01:16
Just as a matter of interest. how much does it cost to get in to Kew Gardens?

The last time we went it cost 15p per person.

valmarg


It now costs £13, £12 concessions.  I remember when I was a child it cost just one old penny to get in :o
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: caroline7758 on July 10, 2008, 12:12:03
Yes, it went against the grain not getting a reduction for RHS! ;D
Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: valmarg on July 10, 2008, 19:20:51
Wow Gardengirl, it must be 20 years since we last visited, but if you work out the inflation rate of the increase over the past 20 years, from 15p to £13.00 (and I'm no mathematician), but it seems a way above inflation rate increase.

We used to enjoy the 'Chelsea weekend'.  Travel down to Richmond on the Saturday.  Wisley Gardens on the Sunday, Kew on the Monday, Chelsea on the Tuesday.  Travel back home on the Wednesday.  Gardening overkill, but very enjoyable.

valmarg


Title: Re: KEW GARDENS
Post by: theothermarg on July 11, 2008, 16:09:18
It was £11.80 for under 60,s and £10.80 for all the wrinklies last saturday I suppose it was because it was a coach trip
marg