Kew awarded landmark £5 million grant from The Julia Rausing Trust towards the Palm House renovation project

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is delighted to announce a landmark philanthropic donation of £5 million from The Julia Rausing Trust toward the Palm House renovation project, the largest philanthropic gift to date for the project and one of the most significant single donations in Kew’s history.

This transformative donation will enable the vital renovation of Kew’s historic Waterlily House, including transforming the heating system to realise the ambition of net-zero. The funding will also contribute to the wider Palm House renovation project, supporting Kew’s long-term vision to safeguard and revitalise one of the most iconic glasshouses in the world.

"We are incredibly grateful to The Julia Rausing Trust for this visionary gift and becoming an early supporter." said Richard Deverell, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. "It will not only help us protect the extraordinary heritage of the Waterlily House but might inspire others to consider donating to help us renovate these iconic buildings.’

RBG Kew hopes that this extraordinary act of generosity will serve as a catalyst—encouraging further philanthropic support for the conservation of the Palm House renovation project. Currently almost one third of the £60 million needed for the project has been secured.

Simon Fourmy, Chief Executive, The Julia Rausing Trust, said: “The renovation of the Waterlily House, together with the wider Palm House project, is an important initiative that will preserve these iconic structures and their world-famous ecosystems.

“Kew’s work as a global leader in botanical science and horticulture is well known, and The Julia Rausing Trust is proud to be an early supporter of this project. We hope others will join us in supporting Kew with this important fundraising campaign.”

The Palm House Renovation Project

In July, Kew submitted a planning application to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames to undertake a landmark renovation of the iconic Palm House and Waterlily House. The proposed renovation aims to create the first heritage net-zero glasshouses of their kind, conserving two of the UK’s most iconic buildings while reimagining their design for a more sustainable future.

Both the Palm House and Waterlily House are currently showing serious signs of deterioration, having last undergone a renovation in the 1980s. Without urgent work the listed buildings and tropical plants they protect are at risk of being lost forever.

Context and history

Constructed between 1844 and 1848 using techniques borrowed from the shipbuilding industry, the Palm House represented cutting-edge technology and thinking at that time. A companion building to the Palm House, the Waterlily House opened in 1852 and was purpose-built to showcase giant waterlilies. Its circular pond spans over 10 metres and features the Victoria boliviana and Victoria amazonica water lilies, with lily pads reaching over 3m in diameter.

RBG Kew’s aspiration to help create a world where nature is protected, valued and managed sustainably means there is also a need to bring these heritage landmarks into the 21st century through pioneering sustainable engineering. This renovation, with an ambition to achieve net zero, once again positions the iconic Palm House and Waterlily House at the forefront of innovation.

This exciting re-imagining of one of the UK’s cultural treasures marks a significant new chapter in its storied history. Having previously transitioned from coal to oil and then to gas, this is the first time in history that renewable options can feasibly be used to power the Palm House and Waterlily House, creating a carbon neutral Victorian glasshouses that will protect the plants housed within.

Funding

This project, which is expected to cost in the region of £60 million, will safeguard the Palm House and Waterlily House for future generations, and realise the ambition of making the iconic glasshouses the first net zero heritage glasshouses of their kind.

RBG Kew has raised almost a third of the funds to date. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew would like to thank all those who have given and pledged support to the Palm House project so far including Defra, The Julia Rausing Trust, World Monuments Fund, and those who have chosen to remain anonymous.

We will be seeking funding for this major project throughout its duration. For more information on how to support the project visit https://support.kew.org/donate/palmhouse or call 02083323246.

Ends

For more information please contact: PR@kew.org

Images can be downloaded here: https://we.tl/t-HaTbKncGOC

Planning submission press release can be found here: https://www.kew.org/about-us/press-media/palm-house-renovation

Notes to Editors

About the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world-famous scientific and horticultural institution and conservation charity, whose mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the wellbeing of people and the future of all life on Earth. It is internationally respected for its outstanding collections, horticultural and scientific expertise in plant and fungal diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the globe. Kew Gardens, with its 132 hectares of historic, landscaped gardens, is also a major attraction for international and London visitors alike. Dating back to 1759, the site has a rich history and was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003. Combined visitor numbers with Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, total over 2.5 million per year. Wakehurst is home to the Millennium Seed Bank, the largest wild plant seed bank in the world and a safeguard against the disastrous effects of climate change and biodiversity loss. RBG Kew receives approximately one third of its funding from the UK Government through the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and research councils, with the remaining two thirds coming from supporters, sponsors, memberships and commercial activity including ticket sales. This enables RBG Kew to carry out its vital scientific and educational work. For tickets and membership options, please visit our website. Since implementing a new accessibility scheme for those in receipt of Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Legacy Benefits, Kew has welcomed over 100,000 visitors with £1 tickets across both UK sites.

About The Julia Rausing Trust

The Julia Rausing Trust has been established in memory of the late British philanthropist Julia Rausing, (née Delves-Broughton), who died in 2024.

The Julia Rausing Trust will see £100million donated to charities and organisations in its first year and annually thereafter.

Julia Rausing co-founded The Julia and Hans Rausing Trust in 2014. She was widely known for her unwavering commitment to philanthropy and her impactful contributions to a wide range of UK charitable causes. She was instrumental in building the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust into one of the largest philanthropic funds in the country, donating £400 million to causes across Health, Welfare, and the Arts, primarily within the UK.

The Julia Rausing Trust is a registered charity (number 1213572)

https://www.juliarausingtrust.org