The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, better known as Kew Gardens, is an extensive greenhouse and garden complex located between Richmond upon Thames and Kew, approximately 10km southwest of London, England.

The Kew Gardens originate from the exotic garden of the Kew House created by Lord Capel of Tewkesbury, later enlarged by Princess Augusta, widow of Frederick of Hanover, Prince of Wales, for whom Sir William Chambers built several new structures, among which the pagoda currently remains Chinese of 1761. George III enriched the gardens, aided by the skill of William Aiton and Sir Joseph Banks. The old Kew House was demolished in 1802. The Dutch House was commissioned by George III in 1781 as a nursery for royal children. It is a simple brick structure known today as Kew Palace.

In 1840 the gardens would be officially recognized the status of a National Botanical Garden. Under the direction of William Hooker, the surface of the gardens was increased to 30 ha and the adjoining arboretum extended to the current 130 ha. During the 19th century, Kew Gardens were the place where the effort to grow rubber trees outside South America was first crowned with success. In 2000 they became promoters and then coordinators of the Millennium Seed Bank Project, a seed bank project for the protection of seed biodiversity. In July 2003, Kew Gardens were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Kew Gardens has now become a world-class botanical research center, a training ground for professional gardeners, and a popular visitor attraction.