Kew Greenhouse, Kew Village My friend Pat and I started our week with a Monday day–trip out of London to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. A pleasant 30–minute tube ride from Gloucester Road Station and we were in the charming Kew Village.

From the station we followed the street lined with 18th and 19th century brick houses with canted bays, canopied balconies, rounded doors, and windows in arched recesses. At the end of the street, we crossed to the world famous Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.

Established in 1759, the gardens have grown from their original eight acres to the current 300. More than 33,000 species of plants make Kew Gardens the most comprehensive botanical collection in the world.

Award–winning scone We boarded the Kew Explorer, a hop–on hop–off road train, to get an overview of the entire gardens. I was especially intrigued with two structures in the gardens. The first was the Palm House, a hothouse made of metal and curved sheets of glass filled with an incredible assortment of tropical plants. It reminded me of my trip to the jungles of Venezuela. The second was the Princess of Wales Conservatory with plants in 10 different computer–controlled climatic zones, everything from a desert to a cloud forest.

By 3 pm we were more than ready for afternoon tea. My plan was for us to go to The Original Maids of Honour, one of Britain’s finest tea rooms and my main purpose of our trip to Kew. When I discovered they closed at 1pm on Mondays, I almost cried.

Fortunately, I had just purchased a book in the botanical gardens gift shop on where to take tea in England. It recommended Kew Greenhouse in Kew Village, right on the way back to the tube station.

Kew Greenhouse was built in 1895 and served as the village bakery for many years before evolving into a tea room and cafe. It is filled with lush greenery, and striped awnings keep the sun from shining directly into the large windows.

We were so hungry we chose salad, sandwiches, and their award–winning scones. And, of course, a pot of tea. Everything was homemade and delicious. The portions were so large we took half of our meal home for later.

Except for The Maids of Honour being closed, it had been a perfectly lovely day. Just maybe I could squeeze in another trip to Kew before leaving London, on a day other than Monday.

...tea is not simply a staple, like salt or oatmeal, but also a delight – a trip – even a revelation now and then!

James Norwood Pratt

lindas@sc.rr.com