The ‘extraordinary’ London attraction that’s decaying and at risk of being lost forever

The Palm House is ‘deteriorating’ (Picture: Getty Images) More than 2.5 million people visit Kew Gardens each year, but no trip is complete without a look around the iconic Palm House. Inside you’ll find more than 1,000 rare and endangered species of tropical flowers, palms and plants, including the world’s oldest potted plant – an Eastern Cape giant cycad that arrived at Kew in 1775. The great glass building has been hailed as one of ‘Britain’s great wonders’, but experts have warned it could soon ‘be lost forever’. The Victorian structure, which was built almost 180 years ago, is showing serious signs of deterioration. As such, the Royal Botanical Garden is seeking the public’s help to save the building and preserve its ‘irreplaceable’ plant collection. The glass house is home to more than 1,000 rare tropical flowers and plants (Picture: Getty Images) According to the charity, the Palm House’s iron frame is corroding, many of its glass panes are cracked and weathered, and it’s also not energy efficient. ‘Without urgent work, this Grade I listed building and the tropical plants it protects are at risk of being lost forever,’ a statement on Kew’s website reads. A £66 million renovation project has been planned, and around half of the funding has been secured from philanthropists, grants, and other individuals. But more money is required, and a public appeal has been launched in hope of raising a further £1 million. But the Victorian structure is deteriorating and is ‘at risk’ (Picture: Getty Images) Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. The renovation project aims to transform the building into the first net-zero glasshouse of its kind, bringing together a ‘world-class’ team of conservationists, engineers, and sustainability experts to preserve the Victorian structure, while also transforming it into a ‘model of sustainability’. Latest London news As part of this, the Palm House will close in February 2027, while plants are removed from inside, and then it will reopen in the summer to allow visitors to see it empty. It will close fully for renovation in Autumn 2027, and it is estimated the work will take three to four years to complete. What do visitors say? Palm House visitors have shared praise for the ‘impressive’ structure and the ‘extraordinary’ plants it houses. In one recent Google review, Mari_world declared it ‘beautiful, fascinating, and absolutely worth visiting.’ Similarly, Michael Sz commented: ‘The Palm House absolutely captivated me with its historic structure, marked beautifully by the passage of time, and with its tropical plants, which are a wonderful living legacy of great botanical discoveries. ‘I highly recommend this extraordinary place to anyone who appreciates plants, history, and garden architecture.’ And Tim Husain declared it ‘astonishingly beautiful’, adding: ‘You literally feel like you’re in a tropical rainforest’. The Palm House will close for renovation in 2027 (Picture: Jim Dyson/Getty Images) Actress Dame Judi Dench is also a big fan and a Palm House ambassador. The 91-year-old has shared her support and has urged people to donate to the renovation. She said: ‘Kew’s Palm House is one of Britain’s great wonders. It is an irreplaceable symbol of beauty, discovery, and hope. ‘Please support the renovation of this iconic glasshouse, and you will be making an investment in both our heritage and our future.’ How to donate to the Palm House renovation project Those wishing to donate can do so online, with various options available. You can donate an amount of your choosing, or sponsor a pane of glass or tropical plant species. All donations up to £300,000 will be doubled, thanks to two generous Kew supporters. Our Top Shopping Picks Kurt Geiger's new Notting Hill collection is a love letter to London's chaotic weather I’ve found the Hoover gadget that could make cleaning your floors so much easier I tried L'Oréal Paris's new PDRN serum and my skin looked glossier after one use This new Cricut gadget turns your favourite photos into stickers in minutes From kitchen hatches to burgundy walls – the biggest home trends for 2027 For more information on the renovation project and donations, visit the Kew website. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: Afghan refugee given hospital order after stabbing dogwalker 14 times in ‘psychotic’ knife spree Arrow MORE: Visitors to London parks warned to be wary of ‘aggressive’ animal this autumn Arrow MORE: This awkward scenario breaks the ‘first rule of the Tube’ — but Londoners are divided The Getaway Expert Your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's resident travel expert, Alice Murphy.