From Kenya to Kew

In 2014, I dreamed of visiting the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London. I wrote it down in my notebook, believing that one day I would make it happen. Fast forward to November 27th, 2017—on a chilly Monday morning, bundled up in a warm coat, scarf, gloves, and armed with my notebook and pen—I finally set off for Kew.

The trip began with my first ever experience of London’s iconic underground train system. From Embankment Station, I boarded the Richmond line, mesmerised by the efficiency and organisation compared to home. Announcements kept passengers informed of every stop—even apologising for a three-minute delay. It was a stark cultural contrast to Nairobi, where lateness often stretches into twenty minutes or more before a courtesy call is made.

After a smooth 45-minute ride, I arrived at Kew Gardens. A short walk from the station revealed charming homes before I reached the gates, where my pre-booked ticket was checked. Inside, I was guided toward some of the most remarkable highlights.

My first stop was the Palm House, a breathtaking glasshouse filled with palms from around the world. Walking through the humid, tropical air felt like stepping into Lagos, despite the wintry chill outside. Towering banana plants, coconut palms, plantains, and cycads filled the warm space, each specimen a reminder of the vast biodiversity of our planet.

Though I had carried my sketchbook with every intention to draw, the sheer beauty of the surroundings made me pause. Instead, I soaked it all in, snapping photos to capture the moment.

Next, I wandered toward the Princess of Wales Conservatory, one of Kew’s most celebrated glasshouses. Along the way, I couldn’t resist pausing to capture a few snapshots of the local wildlife—playful squirrels darting across the paths and graceful geese gliding nearby.

As I strolled past the Palm House, something else caught my attention: a series of striking sculptural figures. Drawn in, I stopped to read the plaques and discovered that these were the Queen’s Beasts—heraldic statues representing royal ancestry. Originally created for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1956, their imposing forms stood tall and regal, perfectly placed within the grandeur of Kew.

s I stepped into the Princess of Wales Conservatory, my excitement grew—after all, it’s home to my absolute favourites: succulents. And what a spectacular collection it was! From bromeliads to cacti, air plants to succulents of every shape and size, the variety was endless.

I even challenged myself with a little mental bet: surely there would be at least one species missing from the display. Yet each time I thought I wouldn’t spot a plant I knew, it revealed itself somewhere in the Conservatory’s vast maze of greenery. The only one I didn’t come across was the elusive Moonstones succulent—a rare and notoriously difficult species to grow.

Still, the sheer abundance left me thrilled. My craving to see a thriving collection of succulents, all beautifully displayed in one place, was more than satisfied.

 

The climate in the Princess of Wales Conservatory was warm but not nearly as humid as the Palm House, making it a little more comfortable to explore. I ended up spending close to two hours here—easily the longest time in any one spot at Kew Gardens. Honestly, if you only had time for one attraction, I would recommend this Conservatory.

The variety of plants was phenomenal. One that stood out was the Euphorbia Obesa, a rare succulent often nicknamed the “baseball plant.” To me, it looked like an oversized coconut or giant seed, marked with intricate natural patterns. Fascinating!

I also learned something surprising about Bromeliads: hundreds of years ago in the Americas, their leaves were dried, ground, and used to make flour. Beyond food, these versatile plants also provided fibre for weaving and crafting household items.

 

 

 

After hours of exploring, I stopped for something warm at the Orangery Café before heading to my final destination of the day: The Hive. And wow—what a masterpiece! This towering architectural installation sits on a hilltop, perfectly placed for visitors to take in its full impact.

Designed by artist Wolfgang Buttress, The Hive mimics the intricate structure of a real beehive and celebrates the vital role of bees as pollinators in our food chain. What makes it even more fascinating is that it’s connected to live hives at Kew. Tiny vibrations from the bees’ movements trigger flickering LED lights across the structure, creating a mesmerising visual that pulses in time with the bees’ communication.

It was simply stunning—a mix of art, science, and nature in perfect harmony. I managed to snap a few photos, but the biting cold kept me from sketching. A valid excuse, I’d say!

 

By now it was getting late, and with the Gardens closing at around 3 pm, I had to accept that I’d only managed to see about a third of what I’d hoped—there’s simply no way to take it all in within a single day. Reluctantly, I made my way back toward the entrance, stopping at the gift shop for some quick Christmas presents. Along the way, I passed a beautiful tree made of lights, which reminded me of something I’d heard: that one of the UK’s tallest living Christmas trees is here, dressed with 1,800 white lights and switched on daily at 3:15 pm. Sadly, with the early closing that day, I just missed it.

In the gift shop, I expected to find little more than seeds and garden gear—but I was completely wrong. The place is impressive, packed not just with pots, seeds, and tools, but also children’s soft toys, books, gift cards, mugs, homeware, lapel pins, jewellery, custom chocolates, prints, and even luxury hand creams in heavenly scents like jasmine and rose. It was a treasure trove, full of unique gifts that didn’t scream the stereotypical “Brit” or “I ♥ London.” I especially loved a book I picked up for Shop Nanjala: Living with Plants by Sophie Lee. Let’s just say I maxed out my credit card here—happily, of course—before strolling off to the train platform to head back to Embankment.

A visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is worth every penny—an experience I’d recommend to anyone who loves nature or simply carries a spark of botanical curiosity. It’s truly unforgettable.

My sketchbook remained empty that day, not a single illustration captured. But my heart brimmed with memories far richer than any drawing could hold.

From Kenya to Kew, with love.