World-famous UK tourist attraction to close for five years to undergo huge £50million upgrade
The refurbishment is set to cost an eye-watering £50 million and will start in 2027.
4
4
The world-famous Palm House, which sits at the centre of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, will be completely refurbished according to the BBC.
Made almost entirely of glass, Palm House creates humid jungle like conditions for plants to thrive.
The damp heat has taken a toll on the building since it opened in 1848 and the refurbishment is desperately needed.
Planning permission for the mammoth project has been submitted and some of the tropical rainforest plants have reportedly already been relocated.
Some of the plants in the Palm House are older than the building itself and will be a real challenge to move.
Specialists will use scaffolding, supports and braces to support the larger and older plants as they are moved.
The temporary rehoming of smaller specimens has already begun with little plants being taken to a temporary greenhouse.
The Palm House was the first glass house of its scale to be constructed when it was built.
It was previously renovated in the 1980s.
Pieces of iron, forming the bones of the structure, are beginning to rust in the humid temperatures.
The Sun visits the Kew Gardens Orchid Festival inspired by Madagascar
The £50 million revamp will see the structure stripped back to bare metal, repaired and repainted.
Thousands of single panes of glass are due to be replaced with a search for the best kind of glass to use underway.
The temperature of Palm House must be maintained at a cosy 21c with maximum insulation required from the glass panes used.
Visitors to Kew Gardens will have to make do without the Palm House while the repairs are underway.
4
4
Kew Gardens was recently voted in a study of 2,000 adults as a favourite UK attraction.
Adults identified their "happy places" with Kew Gardens coming out on top of the list.
Other popular attractions included the Eden Project, Snowdonia National Park and the Natural History Museum.
The refurbishment of the huge Palm House will be ensuring the structure can last as long as possible before more work is required.
Further work at Kew Gardens will see the Water Lily House receive a makeover.
Both the Palm House and the Water Lily House will remain open to the public for the next two years.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
7 hours ago
- BBC News
Reporter descends Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth on live TV
A BBC reporter has become the 50,000th person to abseil down the Spinnaker Tower in Maguire undertook the challenge live on BBC Breakfast earlier, descending 100m (330ft) down the 170m (560ft) tower, which marks its 20th anniversary in October, has had more than five million visitors since it he descended, Maguire told viewers and presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty: "You get the most extraordinary view... I must say it is rather disconcerting." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit takes boyfriend to ‘height of British culture' holiday after fancy Venice trip – by going to Barry Island
Plus, find out more on where you can find the Gavin and Stacey filming locations WELSH GEM Brit takes boyfriend to 'height of British culture' holiday after fancy Venice trip – by going to Barry Island Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN it comes to romantic getaways most will consider Paris and Santorini, but one took their partner on a trip to Wales. After going on a romantic escape to Venice with his boyfriend, Ross Whyatt decided to return the favour by booking them on a Gavin and Stacey tour in Wales. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The couple had just returned from a romantic getaway to Venice Credit: Jam Press/@whyitsross 5 Their next trip took them much closer to home, to Wales Credit: Jam Press/@whyitsross Ross had just spent a relaxing weekend basking in the sunshine, sipping on Aperol Spritz and eating delicious pizza. He was taken to the Italian city as a treat by his boyfriend, Riccardo Gugliermini. As it goes in relationships Ross decided to do something equally as thoughtful in return - and decided to book a trip to Barry in Wales. The pair had become big fans after watching the final episode at Christmas. Ross revealed to What's The Jam that they binged the whole series and as Riccardo had been "quoting it all year" it only felt right to visit. Ross took to social media to document their experience revealing that on the tour, a knock-off version of Nessa welcomes guests on board a coach. And they recite Smithy's very lengthy Indian takeaway order. There's even a group sing-along to gets spirits high, and Riccardo showed off his Pam Shipman top. It turned out not that many people knew about the tour with one commenting on Ross' video: "Omg, I had no idea you could do a Gav and Stace tour with Nessa, this is mint." Another remarked that it was "the height of British culture.' The real life of Barry Island made famous by BBC's TV Series Gavin and Stacey 5 The pair took a selfie outside of the Shipman house Credit: Jam Press/@whyitsross 5 Riccardo made sure to pick up all his merch too Credit: Jam Press/@whyitsross Ross added: 'Riccardo came back home with all the merch, including a mug, magnet and t-shirt - we had the absolute best time. 'It's part of the fun of being in a multicultural relationship, I'm slowly learning Italian and enjoying his cooking. I've introduced him to Greggs, Yorkshire puddings and a chippy tea. 'I'm also getting him into other British comedy classics, like Outnumbered, Peep Show and The Inbetweeners. But Gavin and Stacey is his favourite." Although Ross admitted that he'd rather do a week in Venice over a day out in Barry, Riccardo disagreed. For anyone who wants to head over to do Barry to do some film location sight-seeing themselves, make sure to visit Trinity Street in Barry is home to the homes of Gwen, Uncle Bryn, and Doris. On Barry Island itself there's the famous Marco's Cafe and the arcade where Nessa worked the slots. Up the road is The Colcot Arms aka Smithy's local Essex hangout and of course the Tadross Hotel which doubles as The Dolphin. Here's more about Barry from a local who lived there before it was made famous by Gavin and Stacey. She reveals more about what Barry was like in the days of the Butlin's resort on Nell's Point Here's even more on Barry Island which is loved by huge Hollywood star has beachfront theme park and new attraction. Here's where you can find the Victorian pub where Gavin and Stacey's final scenes were filmed.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Brit takes boyfriend to ‘height of British culture' holiday after fancy Venice trip – by going to Barry Island
WHEN it comes to romantic getaways most will consider Paris and Santorini, but one took their partner on a trip to Wales. After going on a romantic escape to Venice with his boyfriend, Ross Whyatt decided to return the favour by booking them on a Gavin and Stacey tour in Wales. 5 Ross had just spent a relaxing weekend basking in the sunshine, sipping on Aperol Spritz and eating delicious pizza. He was taken to the Italian city as a treat by his boyfriend, Riccardo Gugliermini. As it goes in relationships Ross decided to do something equally as thoughtful in return - and decided to book a trip to Barry in Wales. The pair had become big fans after watching the final episode at Christmas. Ross revealed to What's The Jam that they binged the whole series and as Riccardo had been "quoting it all year" it only felt right to visit. Ross took to social media to document their experience revealing that on the tour, a knock-off version of Nessa welcomes guests on board a coach. And they recite Smithy's very lengthy Indian takeaway order. There's even a group sing-along to gets spirits high, and Riccardo showed off his Pam Shipman top. It turned out not that many people knew about the tour with one commenting on Ross' video: "Omg, I had no idea you could do a Gav and Stace tour with Nessa, this is mint." Another remarked that it was "the height of British culture.' The real life of Barry Island made famous by BBC's TV Series Gavin and Stacey 5 5 Ross added: 'Riccardo came back home with all the merch, including a mug, magnet and t-shirt - we had the absolute best time. 'It's part of the fun of being in a multicultural relationship, I'm slowly learning Italian and enjoying his cooking. I've introduced him to Greggs, Yorkshire puddings and a chippy tea. 'I'm also getting him into other British comedy classics, like Outnumbered, Peep Show and The Inbetweeners. But Gavin and Stacey is his favourite." Although Ross admitted that he'd rather do a week in Venice over a day out in Barry, Riccardo disagreed. For anyone who wants to head over to do Barry to do some film location sight-seeing themselves, make sure to visit Trinity Street in Barry is home to the homes of Gwen, Uncle Bryn, and Doris. On Barry Island itself there's the famous Marco's Cafe and the arcade where Nessa worked the slots. Up the road is The Colcot Arms aka Smithy's local Essex hangout and of course the Tadross Hotel which doubles as The Dolphin. Here's more about Barry from a local who lived there before it was made famous by Gavin and Stacey. She reveals more about what Barry was like in the days of the Butlin's resort on Nell's Point Here's even more on Barry Island which is loved by huge Hollywood star has beachfront theme park and new attraction. Here's where you can find the Victorian pub where Gavin and Stacey's final scenes were filmed.
