Kew is world famous for the Royal Botanic Gardens, where 300 acres (120ha) of land and splendid glasshouses contain over 40,000 species of plant life and 9,000 trees. The Gardens also contain Kew Palace, it was originally a mansion called ’The Dutch House’ owned by Richard Levett, which was then bought by King George III in 1781.

Kew village retains all the charm of the eighteenth century when the Hanoverian Royal Family made it their home. The painter Thomas Gainsborough is buried in St Anne’s Church. Also buried here are Richard Levett, Lord Mayor of London and former owner of Kew Palace along with members of his family.

The National Archive (formerly the Public Record Office) is also based in Kew, holding 900 years of historical records, including the Domesday Book. The site was originally a World War I hospital, after which it was utilised by several government departments.