London: Kew Gardens & Other Sights / by Andrew Wilson

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With the miserable weather we've been having here recently in the UK it’s been a welcome pleasure to rewind and revisit these contrasting photos from a hot and sunny summer weekend in London.

Kew Gardens was the highlight of the weekend (and main focus of this blog), but we also visited the Frida Kahlo exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum, had a little wander through the garden cemetery of Abney Gardens, rode pedal boats at Alexandra Palace, took in a photography exhibition at the Barbican and then rounded off the trip with a browse around The British Library.

So here are some of the photos I took and read on for details for a print giveaway…

Courtyard of the V&A Museum.

Courtyard of the V&A Museum.

 
Frida Kahlo sculpture to tie-in with the exhibition.

Frida Kahlo sculpture to tie-in with the exhibition.

 
Beginning our journey to Kew Gardens.

Beginning our journey to Kew Gardens.

 
South Kensington Station.

South Kensington Station.

 
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After a few changes on the train and a bit of a walk we had arrived at Kew Gardens!

After a few changes on the train and a bit of a walk we had arrived at Kew Gardens!

The Palm House.

The Palm House.

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The Hive designed by UK-based artist Wolfgang Buttress.

The Hive designed by UK-based artist Wolfgang Buttress.

 
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The Prince of Wales Conservatory.

The Prince of Wales Conservatory.

Something I remember about taking these photos of this iguana was the moment that led up to it...

Something I remember about taking these photos of this iguana was the moment that led up to it...

…as I wandered around admiring the plants, a lady quietly called out to me to get my attention. Briefly I turned around as I wondered if she was calling out to somebody behind me - but no, it was me…

…as I wandered around admiring the plants, a lady quietly called out to me to get my attention. Briefly I turned around as I wondered if she was calling out to somebody behind me - but no, it was me…

…she then gestured towards this iguana, just sitting there as still as the rock it was sitting on…

…she then gestured towards this iguana, just sitting there as still as the rock it was sitting on…

…it would have been so easy to walk by and not spot it, so a big thank you to that lady, whoever she was!

…it would have been so easy to walk by and not spot it, so a big thank you to that lady, whoever she was!

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Waterlilly House.

Waterlilly House.

 
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Walking up to the Treetop Walkway.

Walking up to the Treetop Walkway.

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Looking towards the Temperate House.

Looking towards the Temperate House.

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Sackler Crossing.

Sackler Crossing.

 
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The Great Pagoda.

The Great Pagoda.

 
Entering the Temperate House, which had recently had a huge renovation.

Entering the Temperate House, which had recently had a huge renovation.

 
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I was surprised by how big this botanical garden is and highly recommend going. Just make sure you give yourself a full day to see it all! This map might give you an idea of how large it is.

Gravestone details from Abney Park, a large meandering garden cemetery in Stoke Newington.

Gravestone details from Abney Park, a large meandering garden cemetery in Stoke Newington.

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Relaxing at Alexandra Palace Park…

Relaxing at Alexandra Palace Park…

…and riding pedal boats with family.

…and riding pedal boats with family.

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The concrete jungle of the Barbican Estate.

The concrete jungle of the Barbican Estate.

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We rounded out the trip with this fantastic photography exhibition at the Barbican, featuring work by Dorothea Langue (bottom) and Vanessa Winship (top)…

We rounded out the trip with this fantastic photography exhibition at the Barbican, featuring work by Dorothea Langue (bottom) and Vanessa Winship (top)…

 
…followed by a wander around The British Library…

…followed by a wander around The British Library…

 
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…and then back home to Liverpool to cap off an enjoyable weekend away!

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Thanks for taking a look at this blog. Please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought.

If you want to take part in my PRINT GIVEAWAY all you have to do is let me know in the comments section below which photo you would like as a print and why. Get your answer in by midnight of Friday the 11th to be in with a chance and I’ll choose my favourite answer as the winner!

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