Touring a Legendary Botanic Gardenby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 14 Jun 2008 11:52 PM What weighs 448 tons; climbs 60 feet in the air and stretches 220 yards above what is considered one of the most beautiful places on earth? Kew Gardens' calls it their new XStrata Treetop Walkway. The newest addition to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, in west London, is a soaring steel walkway that allows visitors to experience the magnificence of nature above the tree line. The massive circular structure stretches through the heart of the 18th century landscaped garden and for the first time ever it gives nature lovers the opportunity to see a side of the forest that was completely invisible. Garden managers say the new walkway was aimed at showcasing every part of the botanical feast. Visitors enter through an underground chamber where bronze-cast roots emerge from the concrete. Inside animatronic insects buzz and squirm behind glass portholes, and a glowing mosaic (representing fungi) gives guests the feeling of touring the guts of a real tree. But the real attention grabber is the view from the top. Guests are treated to amazing views of the entire park from the structures wide viewing platforms. Garden managers say on a clear day you can see central London's skyscrapers, some 11 miles away. But it's not the city's towering buildings that garden guests are there to view; rather the unique walkway gives them the rare chance to get a birds-eye view of sweet chestnuts and American red oaks that crowd the structure. At some 60-feet in the air garden aficionados can also see Kew's bird and insect life in action, from Egyptian geese to a butterfly called "the purple hairstreak," which spends most of its time flitting around the canopy hunting for honeydew. For those of you who have never experienced the natural wonders housed in Kew Gardens, the property covers some 326 acres of meticulously manicured lawns, flower beds, greenhouses, and forest, attracts more than 1 million visitors a year. Entry into the gardens will cost you $25.50 for adults. Admission is free for children under 17 who are accompanied by an adult. Also, the price of admission covers entry into the new walkway. Kew is situated on the banks of the river Thames in southwest London, near Richmond. Related Articles: New Family-Friendly Theme Park---"READ" All About It Botanical Gardens--A Wonderful Day Trip... And So Much More Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags botanical gardens, england, Kew Graden, london Discuss this article
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