The National Lottery Heritage Fund has announced a £240,000 investment towards the renovations of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew‘s Palm House.

The investment could unlock further National Lottery funding of up to £10m.

Enabling further development, research and testing of how audiences might want to engage with the Palm House, the grant will help to improve accessibility and resonating stories for visitors.

The Palm House is currently showing signs of deterioration, having last undergone renovation works in the 1980s.

Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund says “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 Kew also comments:

“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.”

The Palm House will remain open until 2027, when the renovation project intends to begin.