The greatest glasshouse in the world, the Temperate House at Kew Gardens, has reopened. After a five year restoration, involving 400 staff and contractors, the jewel in Kew's crown is back.
The structure houses 10,000 plants — of 1,500 different species — from the world's temperate zones.
The amount of scaffolding required to carry out such a gargantuan restoration was equivalent to the length of the M25.
The Temperate House first opened in 1863, and is home to some of the world's rarest and most threatened plants.
The Temperate House can count Sir David Attenborough among its fans. In an interview with BBC Radio 3, he said:
(It is) a breath-takingly beautiful space. These plants are wonderful...(and here they are) safe from peril.
The Temperate House at Kew Gardens reopens to the public on Saturday 5 May 2018.