The historical oddities, strange sighting and old folkore hiding amongst Kew's iconic glasshouses and ancient groves

Beneath the serene canopy of Kew's global heritage lies a world where history refuses to sleep. From real witches in the arboretum and wyverns on the pagoda to numerous ghostly parties and an unspeakable something in the rhododendrons, this collection uncovers the peculiar folklore of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Drawing on twenty-five years of insider knowledge, Jonathan S. Farley gathers chilling firsthand accounts from staff, visitors, and the archive collection. Featuring disembodied voices, Second World War bombs and phantom highwaymen, these pages reveal that – whether you are a sceptic or a believer – some of Kew’s deepest secrets are yet to bloom.

Step inside, before the gates close...