Leaving Kew Palace, we made our way to Minka House — by not the most direct route as the map and signage took some acclimation on our part. Minka House is situated in one of the largest collections of bamboo in the UK with approximately 1,200 species
Minka refers to traditional "houses for the people." In context to the four divisions within Japanese society, Minka were dwellings for farmers, artisans and merchants, and are characterized by their basic roof structure and roof shape. The houses are framed of pine logs tied together with rope, wattle and double walls and a lime-washed exterior.
This Minka House originally stood in Okazaki City in central Japan. It was donated to Kew by the Japan Minka Reuse and Recycle Association after the last member of the original owner's family died.
Unfortunately, Minka House was closed when we visited, so no interior photographs . . . sorry!
Minka refers to traditional "houses for the people." In context to the four divisions within Japanese society, Minka were dwellings for farmers, artisans and merchants, and are characterized by their basic roof structure and roof shape. The houses are framed of pine logs tied together with rope, wattle and double walls and a lime-washed exterior.
This Minka House originally stood in Okazaki City in central Japan. It was donated to Kew by the Japan Minka Reuse and Recycle Association after the last member of the original owner's family died.
Unfortunately, Minka House was closed when we visited, so no interior photographs . . . sorry!
From here we headed towards Sackler Crossing, skirting along Rhododerdron Dell. Sir Joseph Hooker brought back many new specimens of rhododendron from his travels to the Himalayas in the mid-19th century. Now hundreds of specimens flower in the dell.
Reaching Sackler Crossing, we stopped briefly as the day was heating up. We stopped to admire a beautiful swan, who turned nasty on me when it became clear I had no treats to give. A swan nip is definitely not a friendly kiss!
Reaching Sackler Crossing, we stopped briefly as the day was heating up. We stopped to admire a beautiful swan, who turned nasty on me when it became clear I had no treats to give. A swan nip is definitely not a friendly kiss!
Forced to move on by the swan, we continued navigating our way across the Kew to Queen Charlotte's Cottage, a rustic cottage built as a country retreat, not as a residence. The royal family used it in the late 18th century for resting and taking tea during walks in the garden. Many exotic animals were kept in the large paddock. Queen Caroline kept |
tigers, while George III and Queen Charlotte had oriental cattle and pheasants. At one point even kangaroos were kept and successfully bred in the paddock. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived it was after its 4 PM closing, so again only exterior photos.
Time running out — as we needed to get back to Mia Wood to pick up our earlier purchases — we made our way back to the entrance through the Redwood Grove, with a glimpse of the Pagoda down Cedar Vista, and skirted behind the Temperate House, which I would love to visit one day once it reopens. Stopping briefly in the gift shop, we made a few purchases.
Time running out — as we needed to get back to Mia Wood to pick up our earlier purchases — we made our way back to the entrance through the Redwood Grove, with a glimpse of the Pagoda down Cedar Vista, and skirted behind the Temperate House, which I would love to visit one day once it reopens. Stopping briefly in the gift shop, we made a few purchases.
As previously mentioned, Kew is a cute village with marvelous shops that would have been fun to browse, but everything was closed. Hungry, we stopped at the gastro pub in the Kew Gardens Hotel for another yummy delish meal before catching the Tube. By the time we reached Cable Street Inn we had logged 16,563 steps since leaving this morning on our adventure!