Kew w project nears end

Monumental project at Kew’s Temperate House in final stages

Afive-year long, £41m project that will see the massive Temperate House at Kew reopened in May is now entering its final stages. Retaining its Victorian splendour but using cutting edge technology in its restoration, the world’s greatest glasshouse will once again be a sanctuary for some of the rarest and most threatened plants from temperate regions across the globe.

Stripping back the paint in the oldest parts workers found 13 layers in different colours, ranging from cream to pale blue and peppermint green. A four-coat system designed to protect the metalwork from future corrosion used 1,160 gallons of paint!

The finishing touches will see a number of spectacular water features installed throughout the building and thousands of glass panes cleaned. “We’ve gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure the restoration has been done to the highest standards, enabling us to teach generations to come about the vital importance of plants to all life,” said Andrew Williams, Kew’s Director of Estates. The Temperate House will reopen on May 5. l For more information visit

www.kew.org/kew-gardens/ attractions/temperate-house.

Metalwork has been given four coats of paint An artist’s impression of how the glasshouse will look