Marking the start of spring: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew announces grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund towards renovation of its iconic Palm House

(4 March 2026) To celebrate the first days of Spring, a much-needed renovation of the iconic Palm House at Kew Gardens is now a step closer thanks to the announcement of a development phase grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Thanks to National Lottery players, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew will receive an initial investment of £240,000 to help shape its plans for the future use of the Palm House.  This could unlock further National Lottery funding of up to £10 million, representing a significant step forward in Kew’s fundraising efforts for this colossal and historic renovation project.

The grant will enable further development, research and testing of how audiences might want to engage with the Palm House, including how to improve accessibility and explore which stories resonate most about the heritage of the building, the plants it displays and Kew’s scientific impact globally. Kew will also explore opportunities to extend the Palm House’s project’s impact beyond the walls of its gardens at a national scale.  

Nestled at the heart of Kew’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Palm House is currently showing serious signs of deterioration, having last undergone renovation works in the 1980s. Without urgent work, the listed building and tropical plants protected within are at risk of being lost forever. The proposed renovation will conserve the heritage of the Palm House, one of the UK’s most iconic buildings, while reimagining its design and energy use for a more sustainable future. 

The renovation project will also provide a unique opportunity to embed co-production of Kew’s Learning and Participation programmes. New interpretation will involve and engage community partners, and content will be used in engagement activities to shape debates, challenge prejudices and construct new meanings, delivering a step change in how Kew meaningfully engages with diverse audiences.

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, we are proud to support the renovation of Kew’s Palm House, one of the UK’s most treasured historic buildings. The renovation of this internationally recognised and much-loved glasshouse fits perfectly with our ambitions to help people to connect to our unique natural heritage and for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.”

Rebecca Munro, Executive Director of Development at RBG Kew says: “The opportunity to partner with the Heritage Fund with a transformative grant, marks a pivotal moment in the future of the Palm House. As one of the world’s most recognisable Victorian glasshouses, the Palm House is not only an architectural icon but a living sanctuary for globally important tropical plants. This support allows us to get closer to being able to protect its heritage, address urgent conservation needs and reimagine the building for a more sustainable future — while opening new, meaningful ways for communities to engage with Kew’s work, now and for generations to come.”

With the announcement of The National Lottery Heritage Fund development phase grant, Kew is moving towards its goal of securing the £60 million required for this renovation project and is continuing to fundraise the remainder. Kew will be seeking funding for this major project throughout its duration, for more information on how to support the project visit kew.org or call 02083323246.

The Palm House will remain open until 2027, and visitors will see Kew’s skilled team of horticulturists lifting plants and moving them to the a nearby temporary decant glasshouse throughout summer 2026 in preparation for the renovation project which it is hoped will start in 2027.

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