{{Short description|Suburb of London in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames}} {{Other uses}} {{Use British English|date=November 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox UK place | country = England | pushpin_map = Greater London | region = London | population = {{london ward populations|00BDGE|population}} | population_ref = 2011 Census ({{london ward populations|00BDGE|ward}} ward {{London ward populations|year}})<ref name=ons/> | area_total_km2 = 3.30 | civil_parish = <!-- Unparished area --> | official_name = Kew | coordinates = {{coord|51.4759|-0.2863|display=inline,title}} | os_grid_reference = TQ195775 | london_borough = Richmond | post_town = RICHMOND | postcode_district = TW9 | postcode_area = TW | dial_code = 020 | static_image_name = St-Anne-church-Kew-5857.jpg | static_image_caption = Parish Church of St Anne | static_image_2_name = Kew Gardens Temperate House - Sept 2008.jpg | static_image_2_caption = Temperate House, Kew Gardens | constituency_westminster = Richmond Park }} '''Kew''' ({{IPAc-en|k|j|uː}}) is a district in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.<ref name="Vision">{{cite web | url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/1963 | title=History of Kew, in Richmond upon Thames and Surrey | publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth | work=Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time. | access-date=3 July 2023}}</ref> Its population at the 2011 census was 11,436.{{#tag:ref|[http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk Key Statistics; Quick Statistics: Population Density] ''Office for National Statistics''|name=ons}} Kew is the location of the Royal Botanic Gardens ("Kew Gardens"), now a World Heritage Site, which includes Kew Palace. Kew is also the home of important historical documents such as Domesday Book, which is held at The National Archives.
Julius Caesar may have forded the Thames at Kew in 54 BC during the Gallic Wars.<ref>Blomfield 1994, p.3</ref> Successive Tudor, Stuart and Georgian monarchs maintained links with Kew. During the French Revolution, many refugees established themselves there and it was the home of several artists in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Since 1965 Kew has incorporated the former area of North Sheen<ref name="Blomfield 1994, p.131">Blomfield 1994, p.131</ref> which includes St Philip and All Saints, the first barn church consecrated in England.<ref name=Leyborne>Blomfield, David. ''The Story of Kew'', second edition, p.36, Leyborne Publications, 1996, {{ISBN|0 9520515 2 4}}</ref> It is now in a combined Church of England parish with St Luke's Church, Kew.
Today, Kew is an expensive residential area because of its prosperous suburban attributes. Among these are sports-and-leisure open spaces, schools, transport links, architecture, restaurants, no high-rise buildings, modest road sizes, trees and gardens. Most of Kew developed in the late 19th century, following the arrival of the District line of the London Underground. Further development took place in the 1920s and 1930s when new houses were built on the market gardens of North Sheen and in the first decade of the 21st century when considerably more river-fronting flats and houses were constructed by the Thames on land formerly owned by Thames Water.
==Etymology== [[File:Kew Pier, Cayho by Mark Folds.jpg|thumb|The sculpture ''Cayho'' by Mark Folds, on the towpath next to Kew Pier, is a play on words, with Kew's 14th-century name rendered as "keyhole".]] The name Kew, recorded in 1327 as ''Cayho'', is a combination of two words: the Old French ''kai'' (landing place; "quay" derives from this) and Old English ''hoh'' (spur of land). The land spur is formed by the bend in the Thames.<ref>Room, Adrian. ''Dictionary of Place-Names in the British Isles'', Bloomsbury, 1988, {{ISBN|978-0747501701}}</ref>
==Governance==
Kew is one of 18 wards in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames<ref name="Wards">{{Cite web |date=May 2022 |title=Election results by wards |url=https://cabnet.richmond.gov.uk/mgElectionElectionAreaResults.aspx?EID=18&RPID=542655717 |access-date=3 February 2025 |website=London Borough of Richmond upon Thames}}</ref> and has three local councillors, all of whom are Liberal Democrats and were elected in May 2026.<ref name="Election">{{Cite web |date=May 2026 |title=Election results for Kew |url=https://cabnet.richmond.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=500000017&RPID=621045501 |access-date=11 May 2026 |website=London Borough of Richmond upon Thames}}</ref> It forms part of the Richmond Park constituency in the UK Parliament; the Member of Parliament is Sarah Olney of the Liberal Democrats. For elections to the London Assembly it is part of the South West London Assembly constituency, which is represented by Gareth Roberts of the Liberal Democrats.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://www.londonelects.org.uk/sites/default/files/2024-05/south_west_constituency_member_results_2024.pdf |title=GLA 2024 Elections, Constituency Member of the London Assembly Results, South West|publisher=London Elects|access-date = 28 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.londonelects.org.uk/sites/default/files/2024-05/south_west_london-wide_member_results_2024.pdf |title=GLA 2024 Elections, London Wide Assembly, South West|publisher=London Elects|access-date = 28 April 2025}}</ref>
Kew was added in 1892 to the Municipal Borough of Richmond which had been formed two years earlier and was in the county of Surrey.<ref name="Vision"/> In 1965, under the London Government Act 1963, the Municipal Borough of Richmond was abolished. Kew, along with Richmond, was transferred from Surrey to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, one of 32 boroughs in the newly created Greater London.
==Economy== [[File:Caxton Name Plate Manufacturing Co (geograph 3242883).jpg|thumb| The Caxton Name Plate Manufacturing Company's former premises can still be identified from Kew Bridge, with its name on the building.]] [[File:1954 Dodge Kew.jpg|thumb|1954 Dodge Kew lorry]] The fashion clothing retailer Jigsaw's headquarters, now at Water Lane, Richmond,<ref name="Jigsaw">{{Cite web |title=Customer Care |url=https://www.jigsaw-online.com/pages/contact-us |access-date=22 January 2023 |website=Jigsaw}}</ref> were previously in Mortlake Road, Kew.<ref name=" Meyer-Stabley">{{Cite book |last=Meyer-Stabley, Bertrand |title=Kate Middleton: La vie de Catherine, Duchesse de Cambridge |publisher=La Boite a Pandore |year=2016 |isbn=978-2-39009-130-1 |location=Paris |author-link=:fr:Bertrand Meyer-Stabley}}</ref> A former industry in Kew was that of nameplate manufacturing, by the Caxton Name Plate Manufacturing Company, based on Kew Green. The company was founded in 1964 and folded in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Caxton Name Plate Manufacturing Company Limited |url=https://www.duedil.com/company/gb/00798656/caxton-name-plate-manufacturing-company-limited |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304055008/https://www.duedil.com/company/gb/00798656/caxton-name-plate-manufacturing-company-limited |archive-date=4 March 2018 |access-date=3 March 2018 |publisher=Duedil}}</ref>
It was in Kew that viscose was first developed into rayon, in a laboratory near Kew Gardens station run by Cowey Engineering. Rayon was produced in a factory on South Avenue, off Sandycombe Road, before Courtaulds acquired the patents for rayon in 1904.<ref name="Stilwell"/> Also on a site near Kew Gardens station, the engineering company F C Blake, now commemorated in the Kew street name Blake Mews,<ref name="Streets - Blake">{{Cite book |author= Members of the Richmond Local History Society|title=The Streets of Richmond and Kew |publisher=Richmond Local History Society |year=2022 |isbn=9781912-31403-4 |edition=Fourth |pages=21}}</ref> produced petrol-powered traction engines in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.<ref name="Stilwell">{{Cite journal |last=Stilwell, Martin |year=2020 |title=Industries in Kew and North Richmond in the First World War |journal=Richmond History: Journal of the Richmond Local History Society |volume=41 |pages=71–85 |issn=0263-0958}}</ref>
===Chrysler and Dodge===
Kew Retail Park stands on the site of a former aircraft factory established in 1918 by Harry Whitworth, who owned Glendower Aircraft Ltd. The factory built Airco DH.4s and Sopwith Salamanders for the British government in the First World War.<ref name="Stilwell"/>
In 1923, the now-redundant aircraft factory was sold and it became a factory for road vehicles.<ref name="Stilwell"/> From the 1920s until 1967, Dodge made lorries at this factory, with the model name Kew. Cars were also manufactured there.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amies, Mark |date=17 November 2015 |title=London's Lost Manufacturing – We Were Once The British Detroit |url=https://londonist.com/2015/11/london-made-motors |access-date=4 February 2016 |publisher=Londonist}}</ref> Dodge Brothers became a Chrysler subsidiary in 1928 and lorry production moved to Chrysler's car plant at Kew. In 1933 it began to manufacture a British chassis, at its works in Kew, using American engines and gearboxes.<ref name="Stevens-Stratten">{{Cite book |last=Stevens-Stratten, S W |title=British Lorries 1945–1983 |publisher=Littlehampton Book Services Ltd |year=1983 |isbn=978-0711013001 |edition=2nd, revised}}</ref> After Chrysler bought the Maxwell Motor Company and their Kew works, the cars of the lighter Chrysler range – Chryslers, De Sotos and Plymouths – were assembled at this Kew site until the Second World War. The various models of De Sotos were named ''Richmond, Mortlake'' and ''Croydon''; Plymouths were ''Kew Six'' and ''Wimbledon''.<ref name="Kimes">{{Cite book |last=Kimes |first=Beverly |author-link = Beverly Rae Kimes|title=Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805–1942 |publisher=Krause Publications |year=1996 |isbn=0-87341-478-0 |pages=306–334}}</ref>
During the Second World War this Chrysler factory was part of the London Aircraft Production Group<ref name=TT50097>{{cite news |title=Group Production Of Halifaxes |work=The Times |date=1 March 1945 |page=2 |issue=50097}}</ref> and built Handley Page Halifax aircraft assemblies. When wartime aircraft production ceased, the plant did not resume assembly of North American cars.
==People== {{Main|List of people from the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames}}
===Royal associations with Kew=== [[File:West Hall, West Hall Road, Kew.jpg|thumb|West Hall is Kew's only surviving 17th-century building apart from Kew Palace.]] [[File:Sarah Kirby (née Bull); John Joshua Kirby by Thomas Gainsborough.jpg|thumb|''Sarah Kirby (née Bull) and Joshua Kirby'' by Thomas Gainsborough]] [[File:Frederick, Prince of Wales, and his sisters by Philip Mercier.jpg|thumb|right|''The Music Party'' by Philippe Mercier, dated 1733. A musical portrait of Frederick, Prince of Wales and his sisters uses the Dutch House, the present-day Kew Palace, as its ''plein-air'' backdrop.]] [[File:Marianne North Gallery 821.JPG|thumb|Interior of Marianne North Gallery, Kew Gardens]] [[File:Pissarro-Kew-greens-Lyon.jpg|thumb|French painter Camille Pissarro's impression of Kew Green in 1892]] [[File:Tomb_of_Johan_Zoffany.jpg|thumb|Tomb of the painter Johan Zoffany at St Anne's Church]]
====The Tudors and Stuarts==== Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester ({{circa}} 1460–1526) was granted lands at Kew in 1517. When he died in 1526 he left his Kew estates to his third wife, Eleanor, with the remainder to his son George. In 1538, Sir George Somerset sold the house for £200 to Thomas Cromwell ({{circa}} 1485–1540), who resold it for the same amount to Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk ({{circa}} 1484–1545). Brandon had probably already inhabited Kew during the life of his wife Mary Tudor (1496–1533), daughter of Henry VII and widow of the French king Louis XII. According to John Leland's ''Cygnea Cantio'' ("Swan Song"), she stayed in Kew (which he refers to as "Cheva")<ref>{{cite web | url=https://philological.cal.bham.ac.uk/swansong/trans.html| title=Cygnea Cantio | publisher=The Philological Museum | work=Cygnea Cantio (Swan Song) | year=1545 | access-date=31 May 2023 | last=Leland | first=John | author-link=John Leland (antiquary) | translator-last=Sutton | translator-first=Dana F}}</ref> for a time after her return to England.<ref name="Parishes">{{cite web | title=Parishes: Kew | work=A History of the County of Surrey: Volume 3 |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/surrey/vol3/pp482-487|year=1911 | access-date=27 August 2025|editor=Malden, H E | publisher = British History Online|location= London|pages=482–487}}</ref>
One of Henry VIII's closest friends, Henry Norris ({{circa}} 1482–1536), lived at Kew Farm,<ref>Blomfield 1994, p.5</ref> which was later owned by Elizabeth I's favourite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (1532–1588).<ref>Blomfield 1994, p.12</ref> This large palatial house on the Thames riverbank predated the royal palaces of Kew Palace and the White House. Excavations at Kew Gardens in 2009 revealed a wall that may have belonged to the property.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/library/browse/issue.xhtml?recordId=1109648&recordType=GreyLitSeries | title=Replacement Outdoor Children's Play Area, land adjacent to the Climbers and Creepers Building, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew... Archaeological Watching Brief and in situ Preservation of Remains | website= Archaeological Data Service | date=2010 | access-date=31 May 2023 | author= Potter, G|pages=i and 4}}</ref>
In Elizabeth's reign, and under the Stuarts, houses were developed along Kew Green.<ref>Blomfield 1994, p.16</ref> West Hall, which survives in West Hall Road, dates from at least the 14th century and the present house was built at the end of the 17th century.<ref>Blomfield 1994, p.18</ref>
Elizabeth Stuart (1596–1662), daughter of James I, later known as the "Winter Queen", was given a household at Kew in 1608.<ref name="Parishes"/>
Queen Anne subscribed to the building of the parish church on Kew Green, which was dedicated to St Anne in 1714, three months before the queen's death.<ref>Blomfield 1994, p.23</ref>
====The Hanoverians==== The Hanoverians maintained the strongest links with Kew, in particular Princess Augusta (1719–1772) who founded the botanic gardens<ref name="Heritage Year 2006">{{cite press release | url=http://www.kew.org/press/heritage_year.html | title=Reading the Royal Landscape: Heritage Year 2006 | publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens Kew | date=2006 | access-date=4 February 2016 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205020133/http://www.kew.org/press/heritage_year.html | archive-date=5 February 2016 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> and her husband Frederick, Prince of Wales (1707–1751) who lived at the White House in Kew. Augusta, as Dowager Princess of Wales, continued to live there until her death in 1772.<ref name="Royal">{{cite web | url=https://www.richmond.gov.uk/royal_richmond_timeline | title=Royal Richmond timeline: 900 years of royal associations with Richmond upon Thames | publisher=London Borough of Richmond upon Thames | work=Local history timelines | date= 1 April 2020|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref> Frederick commissioned the building of the first substantial greenhouse at Kew Gardens.<ref>Blomfield 1994, p.32</ref>
In 1772 King George III and Queen Charlotte moved into the White House at Kew.<ref name="Royal"/> Charlotte died at the Dutch House (now Kew Palace) in 1818.<ref name="Royal"/> Their son, King William IV, spent most of his early life at Richmond and at Kew Palace, where he was educated by private tutors.<ref>{{cite book|author= Zeigler, Philip |pages= 13–19|year=1971| title= King William IV|location= London|publisher=Collins| isbn = 978-0-00-211934-4|author-link= Philip Ziegler}}</ref>
===Georgian expansion=== During the French Revolution, many refugees established themselves in Kew, having built many of the houses of this period. In the 1760s and 1770s the presence of royalty attracted artists such as Thomas Gainsborough and Johann Zoffany.<ref name="Parishes"/><ref name="Blomfield 1994, pp.43-45">Blomfield 1994, pp.43–45</ref>
===Artists associated with Kew=== *Diana Armfield (born 1920) lives in Kew.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=Summer 2021 |author= Bethel, Claire|title=Interview with local artist, Diana Armfield |url=https://mcusercontent.com/ba3306019a38caf7ead351ce3/files/2151ecad-202b-20f6-8f47-f5766e6f7b3a/Kew_Newsletter_Summer_2021.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721114750/https://mcusercontent.com/ba3306019a38caf7ead351ce3/files/2151ecad-202b-20f6-8f47-f5766e6f7b3a/Kew_Newsletter_Summer_2021.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2021 |url-status=live |magazine=The Kew Society Newsletter |access-date=14 April 2025}}</ref><ref name= "Partnership">{{Cite web |author= Macpherson, Amy|date=14 December 2015 |title= Painting their life: Diana Armfield and Bernard Dunstan |url=https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/article/video-diana-armfield-bernard-dunstan |access-date=21 July 2021 |website=Royal Academy}}</ref> She is known for landscapes, and has also painted portraits, literary subjects and still lifes. She has a particular interest in flower paintings, and is considered to owe much to the tradition of Walter Sickert.<ref name="Armfield, Diana Maxwell">{{Cite web |title=Armfield, Diana Maxwell |url= https://www.oxfordartonline.com/benezit/display/10.1093/benz/9780199773787.001.0001/acref-9780199773787-e-00300157|work=Benezit Dictionary of Artists|publisher= Oxford Art Online |access-date=15 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="Buckman1">{{Cite book |last=Buckman |first=David |title=Artists in Britain Since 1945 |date=2006 |publisher=Art Dictionaries Ltd. |isbn=0-953260-95X |page=44}}</ref> *Margaret Backhouse (1818–1896) was a successful British portrait and genre painter during the 19th century who lived at Lichfield Villas,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Margaret Backhouse. Probate • England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858–1957 |url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7XZ7-S7W2 |website=Family Search}}</ref> near the botanic gardens' Victoria Gate. *Franz (later Francis) Bauer (1758–1840) was an Austrian microscopist and botanical artist who became the first botanical illustrator at Kew Gardens. By 1790 he had settled at Kew, where as well as making detailed paintings and drawings of flower dissections, often at microscopic level, he tutored Queen Charlotte, her daughter Princess Elizabeth and William Hooker in the art of illustration, and often entertained friends and botanists at his home. He is buried at St Anne's,<ref name="Local history notes">{{Cite web |title=St Anne's Church, Kew Green |url=https://www.richmond.gov.uk/media/6325/local_history_st_annes_kew.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803051334/http://www.richmond.gov.uk/media/6325/local_history_st_annes_kew.pdf |archive-date=2017-08-03 |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=Local History Notes |publisher=London Borough of Richmond upon Thames}}</ref> next to Thomas Gainsborough. * The artist Walter Deverell (1827–1854), who was associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, lived at 352 Kew Road, then called Heathfield House. He had a studio at the end of the garden where there are now garages. In this setting he painted ''A Pet'' (1853)<ref>Blomfield 1994, p.95</ref>[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Walter_Howell_Deverell_(1827-1854)_-_A_Pet_-_N02854_-_National_Gallery.jpg]. * Bernard Dunstan (1920–2017) lived in Kew. He was an artist, teacher and author, best known for his studies of figures in interiors and landscapes. At the time of his death, he was the longest serving Royal Academician.<ref name= "Partnership"/> *George Engleheart (1750–1829), one of the greatest English painters of portrait miniatures, was born in Kew.<ref name="Engleheart NT">{{Cite web |title=Penelope Blathwayt, Mrs Jeremiah Pierce Crane (1755–1810): George Engleheart (Kew 1750 – Blackheath 1839) National Trust Inventory Number 453454 |url=http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/453454 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905043622/http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/453454 |archive-date=5 September 2014 |access-date=10 October 2017 |website=National Trust Collections |publisher=National Trust}}</ref> * Walter Hood Fitch (1817–1892), botanical illustrator, lived on Kew Green.<ref>1881 England Census. Class: ''RG11''; Piece: ''845''; Folio: ''111''; Page: ''3''; GSU roll: ''1341200''</ref> *Thomas Gainsborough (1727–1788), who is considered one of the most important British artists of the second half of the 18th century,<ref>{{cite book |page=111 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u9Et3Te5KqgC&pg=PA111 |title=Masterworks of European Painting in the California Palace of the Legion of Honor |author1=Nash, Steven A |author2=Federle Orr, Lynn |author3= Stewart, Marion C |publisher=Hudson Hills |year=1999|access-date = 8 February 2025|isbn=9781555951825 }}</ref> visited Kew many times, staying with his friend Joshua Kirby and, after Kirby's death, in a house probably rented by his daughter close to St Anne's Church, where he is buried.<ref name="Blomfield 1994, pp.43-45"/> *Arthur Hughes (1832–1915), Pre-Raphaelite painter, lived and died at Eastside House, 22 Kew Green.<ref name="Tate Hughes">{{Cite web |last=Riggs, Terry |date=November 1997 |title=Arthur Hughes: artist biography |url=https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/arthur-hughes-283|access-date=12 December 2022 |publisher=Tate}}</ref> The site is marked by a blue plaque.<ref name="EH Hughes">{{Cite web |title=Hughes, Arthur (1832-1915) |url=https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/arthur-hughes/|access-date=3 July 2023 |website=Visit Richmond |publisher=English Heritage}}</ref> Hughes is buried in Richmond Cemetery.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Meller|first1=Hugh|last2=Parsons|first2=Brian|title=London Cemeteries: An Illustrated Guide and Gazetteer|edition=fifth|year=2011|publisher=The History Press|location=Stroud, Gloucestershire|isbn=9780752461830|pages=290–294}}</ref> *Tom Keating (1917–1984), artist, art restorer and art forger, lived in Kew from 1961 to 1967.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Norman |first=Geraldine |author-link = Geraldine Norman|date=10 August 1976 |title=Samuel Palmer imitator who duped art world |pages=1 |work=The Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rais |first=Guy |date=16 January 1979 |title=Art fakes girl under spell of older painter |pages=9 |work=The Times}}</ref> He was best known for his highly publicised crusade against the art world,<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 August 1976 |title=Mr. Keating says art imitations are protest |pages=1 |work=The Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Norman |first=Geraldine |author-link = Geraldine Norman|date=27 August 1976 |title=Mr. Keating made 2000 pastiches |pages=1 |work=The Times}}</ref> his trial for art fraud at the Old Bailey,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/the-faker-s-moll-1077511.html| last=Sweet|first = Matthew|author-link = Matthew Sweet (writer)|date=31 January 1999 |access-date = 2 April 2023|title=The Faker's Moll |work=The Independent on Sunday}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=28 January 1979 |title=Court Portraits: The best free show in town |work=The Observer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rais |first=Guy |date=2 February 1979 |title=Old masters' spirits took over, says Tom Keating |pages=3 |work=The Times}}</ref> and his critically acclaimed Channel 4 television series ''Tom Keating On Painters.''<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 November 1982 |title=Today's television programmes – CHOICE: Tom Keating On Painters |pages=25 |work=The Times |editor-last=Davalle |editor-first=Peter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gosling |first=Kenneth |date=18 March 1983 |title=Channel 4 wins two awards |pages=5 |work=The Times}}</ref> *Joshua Kirby (1716–1774) was a landscape painter, engraver, and writer, whose main artistic focus was "linear perspective", based on the ideas of English mathematician Brook Taylor.<ref name= "Gentleman">See a short literary biography of Joshua Kirby in ''The Gentleman's Magazine'' (ed. John Nichols) Vol. 78, January 1808, [https://books.google.com/books?id=qWwdAQAAMAAJ&dq=Joshua+Kirby&pg=PA4 pp. 4–5].</ref> He was the son of topographer John Kirby, and the father of the writer Sarah Trimmer and the entomologist William Kirby.<ref name="Kirby">{{Cite book |last=Freeman, John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fwA6AAAAcAAJ |title=Life of the Rev William Kirby MA |publisher=Longman, Brown, Green & Longmans |year=1852 |location=London |access-date=11 July 2017}}</ref> In 1760 he moved to Kew, where he taught linear perspective to George III.<ref name="RKD">[https://rkd.nl/en/explore/artists/44461 John Joshua Kirby] in the RKD (Netherlands Institute for Art History). Retrieved 24 December 2018.</ref> He was a Fellow of the Royal Society. He and his wife are buried in the churchyard of St Anne's.<ref name= "Gentleman"/> *Sir Peter Lely (1618–1680), portrait painter, had a house on the north side of Kew Green.<ref name="Lysons"/> On almost exactly the same site, Jeremiah Meyer (1735–1789), miniaturist to Queen Charlotte and George III, built a house a century later. Meyer is buried at St Anne's.<ref name="Blomfield 1994, pp.43-45"/> *Charles Mozley (1914–1991), artist and art teacher, lived and died at 358 Kew Road, Kew.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charles Mozley – details |url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/term_details.aspx?bioId=113735 |access-date=23 May 2016 |website=The Collection |publisher=British Museum}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE|num=1357700|desc=356 and 358 Kew Road |date = 10 January 1950|access-date=12 February 2021}}</ref> *Victorian artist Marianne North (1830–1890) did not live in Kew, but she left to Kew Gardens her collection of botanic art that she had painted on her extensive overseas travels, and funded a gallery – the Marianne North Gallery – to house them.<ref>Blomfield 1994, p.96</ref> * French Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro (1830–1903) stayed in 1892 at 10 Kew Green, on the corner of Gloucester Road, now marked by a blue plaque.<ref name="Pissarro">{{Cite web |title=Camille Pissarro (1831–1903) French impressionist stayed here in 1892 |url=https://openplaques.org/plaques/9922|access-date=3 July 2023|website=Open Plaques}}</ref> During his stay he painted ''Kew Gardens – Path to the Great Glasshouse'' (1892)[https://www.wikiart.org/en/camille-pissarro/kew-gardens-path-to-the-great-glasshouse-1892], ''Kew Greens'' (1892)[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pissarro-Kew-greens-Lyon.jpg] and ''Church at Kew'' (1892)[http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/camille-pissarro/church-at-kew-1892]. His third son, Félix Pissarro (1874–1897), painter, etcher and caricaturist, died in a sanatorium at 262 Kew Road in 1897.<ref name="Pissarro West London 46">{{Cite book |last=Reed, Nicholas |title=Pissarro in West London (Kew, Chiswick and Richmond) |publisher=Lilburne Press |year=1997 |isbn=978-1-901167-02-3 |edition=Fourth |page=46}}</ref> *Charles Shannon (1863–1937), artist best known for his portraits, died in Kew<ref name="Annex">{{Cite web |title=Charles Haslewood Shannon Biography |url=https://www.annexgalleries.com/artists/biography/2158/Shannon/Charles |access-date=29 November 2022 |website=The Annex Galleries}}</ref> at 21 Kew Gardens Road.<ref>{{Cite news |newspaper=The Times |title=Mr. Shannon R.A., Lithographer and Painter |date=19 March 1937 |page=18|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS302329971/TTDA?u=rtl_ttda&sid=bookmark-TTDA&pg=18&xid=16fdd030}}</ref> *Matilda Smith (1854–1926), the first official botanical artist of the Royal Botanic Gardens, lived at Gloucester Road, Kew.<ref>Probate 1927</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|date=1927|title=Matilda Smith, A.L.S.|url=https://issuu.com/kewguildjournal/docs/v4s34p455-all|journal=Journal of the Kew Guild. Annual Report, 1925–1926|volume=1927|pages=527–528|via=ISSUU|access-date=15 May 2021|archive-date=3 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303204629/https://issuu.com/kewguildjournal/docs/v4s34p455-all|url-status=dead}}</ref> *George Tinworth (1843–1913), ceramic artist who worked for the Doulton factory at Lambeth from 1867 until his death, lived at 8 Maze Road.<ref name="Tinworth">{{Cite web |title=George Tinworth |url=https://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/mapping/public/view/person.php?id=msib4_1255620262 |access-date=19 May 2026 |website=Mapping Sculpture }}</ref> *The painter Johan Zoffany (1725–1810), who lived at Strand-on-the-Green, is buried in St Anne's churchyard.<ref>Blomfield 1994, p.45</ref>
===Botanists who have lived in Kew=== Unsurprisingly, many botanists have lived in Kew, near the botanic gardens: 150px|thumb|Grave of John Smith and his family in the churchyard at St Anne's *William Aiton (1731–1793), botanist, was appointed director in 1759 of the newly established botanical garden at Kew, where he remained until his death. He effected many improvements at the gardens, and in 1789 he published ''Hortus Kewensis'', a catalogue of the plants cultivated there.<ref group="nb">{{EB1911|inline=1|wstitle=Aiton, William|volume=1|page=448}}</ref> When he died, he was succeeded as director at Kew Gardens by his son William Townsend Aiton (1766–1849), who was also a botanist, and was born in Kew.<ref name="DNB">{{cite DNB |wstitle= Aiton, William Townsend |volume= 01 |last= Britten |first= James |author-link= James Britten |page= 208 |short= 1}}</ref> William Townsend Aiton was one of the founders of the Royal Horticultural Society.<ref name="DNB" /> He retired in 1841 but remained living at Kew, although passing much of his time with his brother at Kensington where he died in 1849.<ref name="DNB" /> Both father and son lived at Descanso House on Kew Green and are buried in St Anne's churchyard<ref name="DNB" /> where the substantial family tomb is a prominent feature. Inside the church there is also a memorial to them.<ref name="Aitons">{{Cite book |url=https://www.richmondhistory.org.uk/wordpress/publications/79-2/ |title=Royal Gardeners at Kew – The Aitons |publisher=Richmond Local History Society |year=2009 |isbn=9780955071751 |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref> * John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan (1917–1985), director of the botanic gardens, lived in Kew and died there on 26 September 1985.<ref name="Kew Bulletin">{{cite journal | title=John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan (1917–1985) | author=Verdcourt, Bernard | author-link=Bernard Verdcourt|journal=Kew Bulletin | year=1987 | volume=42 | issue=2 | pages=286–296|jstor = 4109685}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bell|first=A|date=1986|title=Professor J P M Brenan|url=https://issuu.com/kewguildjournal/docs/v10s90p385-all|journal=Journal of the Kew Guild|volume=10|pages=483|via=ISSUU|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=26 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826113607/https://issuu.com/kewguildjournal/docs/v10s90p385-all|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is buried at St. Anne's.<ref name="Kew Bulletin"/><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Sands|first=Martin J S|date=1986|title=News of Kewites at home and abroad in 1985|url=https://issuu.com/kewguildjournal/docs/v10s90p385-all|journal=Journal of the Kew Guild|volume=10|pages=461|via=ISSUU|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=26 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826113607/https://issuu.com/kewguildjournal/docs/v10s90p385-all|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Sir William Hooker (1785–1865) and his son Sir Joseph Hooker (1817–1911), botanists and directors of Kew Gardens, lived at 49 Kew Green, Kew. The site is marked by a blue plaque.<ref name="Hooker">{{Cite web |title=Hooker, Sir Joseph (1817–1911) & Hooker, Sir William (1785–1865) |url=https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/william-hooker/ |access-date=8 May 2021 |website=Blue Plaques |publisher=English Heritage}}</ref><ref name="RTT 30 Jul 2010">{{Cite news |date=30 July 2010 |title=Princess Alexandra unveils blue plaque to Kew Gardens' directors Sir William and Sir Joseph Hooker |url=https://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/8304104.princess-alexandra-unveils-blue-plaque-to-kew-gardens-directors-sir-william-and-sir-joseph-hooker/ |access-date=1 May 2024 |work=Richmond and Twickenham Times}}</ref> *John Hutchinson (1884–1972), botanist, lived on Kew Green, near Kew Gardens' Herbarium, during the Second World War.<ref name="Chivers">{{Cite web |last=Chivers |first=Nora |date=8 April 2004 |title=Kew Invasion! |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/52/a2504152.shtml |access-date=9 May 2021 |website=BBC WW2 People's War}}</ref><ref>The National Archives (UK).''1939 Register''; Reference: ''RG 101/1377A. Ancestry.com.''</ref> * Daniel Oliver (1830–1916), Professor of Botany at University College London 1861–88 and Keeper of Kew Gardens' Herbarium 1864–90, lived on Kew Green.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oliver, Daniel (1830–1916) |url=https://plants.jstor.org/stable/10.5555/al.ap.person.bm000153006 |access-date=27 May 2026|website= JSTOR; Global Plants}}</ref> * Henry Nicholas Ridley (1855–1956), botanist, geologist and naturalist, died at his home in Kew.<ref name="Holttum">{{Cite journal |last=Holttum |first=R E |author-link=Richard Eric Holttum|date=Jan–Feb 1957 |title=Henry Nicholas Ridley, C. M. G., F. R. S. 1855-1956 |journal=Taxon |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=1–6|doi=10.1002/j.1996-8175.1957.tb02684.x |bibcode=1957Taxon...6....1H }}</ref> *John Smith (1798–1888), botanist, the first curator at Kew Gardens, lived on Kew Green.<ref>1861 England Census. Class: RG 9; Piece: 460; Folio: 42; Page: 7; GSU roll: 542642. Ancestry.com</ref> He died at Park House, Kew Road, and is buried in St Anne's churchyard.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1888 |title=Smith, John |url=https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=smith&yearOfDeath=1888&page=47#calendar |website=Probate Search}}</ref> * William T Stearn (1911–2001), botanist, who was president of the Linnean Society, lived in Kew.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Heywood |first=Vernon |author-link=Vernon Heywood |date=June 2002 |title=William Thomas Stearn, CBE, VMH (1911–2001) – an appreciation |journal=Archives of Natural History |volume=29 |issue=2 |pages=NP–143 |doi=10.3366/anh.2002.29.2.NP}}</ref> *John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute (1713–1792), botanist and honorary director of Kew Gardens 1754–72, adviser to Princess Augusta and tutor to George III and, later, Prime Minister of Great Britain 1762–63, lived at King's Cottage, 33 Kew Green.<ref name="Places in History: Kew Green">{{Cite web |last=Gascoigne, Bamber |author-link=Bamber Gascoigne |date=2001 |title=HistoryWorld's Places in History: Kew Green |url=http://www.historyworld.net/placesinhistory/kewgreen.asp |access-date=1 May 2024 |website=HistoryWorld}}</ref>
===Other notable inhabitants=== ====Historical figures==== thumb|Cottages on Kew Green [[File:Harold-pinter-atp.jpg|thumb|150px|Playwright Harold Pinter lived in Kew.]] [[File:Krishnan Guru-Murthy at Chatham House 2013.jpg|thumb|150px|Krishnan Guru-Murthy lives in Kew.]] [[File:Milton Jones portrait.jpg|thumb|150px|Comedian Milton Jones was brought up in Kew.]] [[File:Gabby Logan cropped.jpg|thumb|150px|TV presenter and former international gymnast Gabby Logan lives in Kew.]] [[File:Achsmith.jpg|thumb|150px|A. C. H. Smith, novelist and playwright, photographed in 2011 by Stephen Morris, was born in Kew.]] *Francis Claude Blake (1867–1954), engineer, lived at 13 Kew Gardens Road.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Search Results for 1911 Census For England |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/results?datasetname=1911+census+for+england+&+wales&sid=103&address=13+kew+gardens+road&keywordsplace_proximity=5 |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=www.findmypast.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> *David Blomfield (1934–2016), leader of the Liberal Party group on Richmond upon Thames Council, writer, book editor and local historian, lived in Kew.<ref name="Grossman">{{Cite news |last=Grossman, Wendy |author-link=Wendy M. Grossman |date=22 August 2016 |title=David Blomfield obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/aug/22/david-blomfield-obituary |access-date=16 July 2017 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> He is buried in Richmond Cemetery. *Ferruccio Bonavia (1877–1950), violinist, composer and music critic, lived at 352 Kew Road, Kew from 1914 until 1919.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bonavia |first=Michael |title=London Before I Forget |date=1990 |publisher=The Self Publishing Association Ltd |isbn=1-85421-082-3 |pages=14, 19}}</ref> *Tony Bradshaw (1926–2008), evolutionary ecologist, was born in Kew.<ref name = "Fitter">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2008/sep/11/evolution|title=Obituary: Tony Bradshaw|author=Fitter, Alastair|author-link= Alastair Fitter|work=The Guardian |date=11 September 2008|access-date= 27 April 2025}}</ref> *Ray Brooks (1939–2025), television and film actor, lived in Kew.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 November 2012 |title=Interview With Ray Brooks, Voice Of Mr Benn, Lover Of Chiswick And Resident Of Kew |work=Chiswick Herald |url=https://chiswickherald.co.uk/interview-with-ray-brooks-voice-of-mr-benn-lover-of-chiswick-and-resident-p293-203.htm|access-date=8 December 2022}}</ref> *Aggrey Burke (1943–2025), psychiatrist and academic, who was born in Jamaica, spent the majority of his medical career at St George's Hospital in London, specialising in transcultural psychiatry and writing literature on changing attitudes towards black people and mental health. In 1959, while still a teenager, he moved to Britain with his parents. The family settled in Kew, where Burke was schooled and was the only black child in his class.<ref name="Kehinde Andres interview">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jan/13/we-were-made-to-feel-like-outcasts-the-psychiatrist-who-blew-the-whistle-on-racism-in-british-medicine|title=Interview: 'We were made to feel like outcasts': the psychiatrist who blew the whistle on racism in British medicine|first=Kehinde|last=Andrews|author-link=Kehinde Andrews|newspaper=The Guardian|date=13 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116191324/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jan/13/we-were-made-to-feel-like-outcasts-the-psychiatrist-who-blew-the-whistle-on-racism-in-british-medicine|archive-date=16 January 2022|access-date = 28 April 2025}}</ref> *Sir Arthur Herbert Church (1834–1915), chemist, who was an expert on pottery, stones and the chemistry of paintings, lived and died at Shelsley, a detached house at 21 Ennerdale Road, Kew.<ref name="Mineralogical">{{Cite web |title=Mineralogical Society: Ordinary Members |url=https://rruff.info/doclib/MinMag/Volume_13/13-59-v.pdf |access-date=13 February 2024 |website=RRUFF Project (Tucson, Arizona) |page=xi |publication-place=London |publication-date=20 March 1901}}</ref> The house has since been demolished and the site is now occupied by Voltaire, a Modernist block of flats designed by Vivien Pilley (A V Pilichowski).<ref name="Voltaire">{{Cite web |title=Sir Arthur Herbert Church: scientist, artist, author and collector |url=https://voltaire.london/sir-arthur-herbert-church-scientist-artist-author-and-collector/ |access-date=13 February 2024 |website=Voltaire}}</ref><ref name="Thomson video">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhkPj2s1DJM&t=140s |title=No. 21 Ennerdale Road, Kew; or, how I became a Modernist house detective |date=12 February 2024 |last=Thomson |first=Hilary |type=Video |publisher=Richmond Local History Society via YouTube |access-date=7 March 2024}}</ref> *Richard Cook (1957–2007), jazz writer, magazine editor and former record company executive, was born in Kew.<ref name="Cook obituary">{{Cite news |last=Morton, Brian |author-link=Brian Morton (Scottish writer) |date=1 September 2007 |title=Richard Cook: Jazz writer and editor |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/richard-cook-401071.html |access-date=11 January 2013 |work=The Independent |location=London}}</ref> * Stephen Duck ({{circa}} 1705–1756), poet, lived in Kew.<ref name="Lysons">{{cite web | url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-environs/vol1/pp202-211 | title=Kew | publisher=Centre for Metropolitan History | work=The Environs of London: volume 1: County of Surrey | year=1792 | access-date=12 December 2022 | author=Lysons, Daniel | pages=202–211| author-link=Daniel Lysons (antiquarian) }}</ref> * Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau (1968–2013), brother of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, lived in Kew with his wife Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau (born 1968).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/prince-johan-friso-obituary-popular-royal-who-ceded-his-place-in-line-to-the-dutch-throne-8758105.html | title=Prince Johan Friso Obituary: Popular royal who ceded his place in line to the Dutch throne |work=The Independent | date=13 August 2013 | access-date=13 August 2013 | author=Keleny, Anne| location=London}}</ref> * Liberal Party leader Jo Grimond (1913–1993) lived on Kew Green.<ref name="Blomfield 1994, p.131"/><ref name="Steel">{{cite journal | url=https://liberalhistory.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/80_Autumn_2013.pdf | title=Jo Grimond 1913–1993 | journal=Journal of Liberal History | date=Autumn 1993 | volume= 80 |page=12 | author-link=David Steel| author= Steel, David|access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref><ref name="Grimon image">{{Cite web |date=10 December 1964 |title=Liberal leader Jo Grimond seen relaxing at his Kew Green home |url=https://historicimages.com/products/ksa28673 |access-date=13 February 2024 |website=Historic Images}}</ref> * Susanne Groom (1945–2023), historian, author and curator at Historic Royal Palaces, lived on High Park Road in Kew.<ref name="Groom">{{Cite web |title=Susanne Jean GROOM |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/Lugihojm74OE4RPkxMCPH8Bll-Y/appointments |access-date=16 May 2025 |website=gov.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.richmondhistory.org.uk/wordpress/events/300th-anniversary-arrival-royal-hanoverians-richmond-kew/ |title=Talk by Susanne Groom: The 300th anniversary of the arrival of the royal Hanoverians at Richmond and Kew |date=8 October 2018 |publisher=Richmond Local History Society |access-date=13 November 2018}}</ref> *John Haverfield Sr (1694–1784), surveyor, gardener and landscape architect,<ref name=Tunstall >{{Cite journal |access-date = 28 April 2025|last=Haverfield |first=T Tunstall |date=29 November 1862 |title=Notes on Kew and Kew Gardens |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/3420139 |journal=The Leisure Hour: A Family Journal of Instruction and Recreation |issue=570 |pages=767–768 |id={{ProQuest|3420139}} }}</ref><ref name="Desmond">{{Cite book |last=Desmond |first=Ray |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=thmPzIltAV8C&q=haverfield&pg=PA327 |title=Dictionary of British and Irish Botanists and Horticulturalists |publisher=Taylor & Francis and Natural History Museum, London |year=1994 |page=326 |isbn=978-0-85066-843-8 |via=Google Books}}</ref> lived on Kew Green where he had a house built {{circa|1750}}, which was known as Haverfield House.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Pasmore |first=Stephen |date=1986 |title=Miss Haverfield of Kew |journal=Richmond History: Journal of the Richmond Local History Society |volume=7 |pages=28–29}}</ref> *Reginald Hawthorn Hooker (1867–1944), civil servant, statistician and meteorologist, was born in Kew<ref name="Yule">{{Cite journal |last=Yule |first=G Udny |title=Reginald Hawthorn Hooker, M.A. |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2981362 |journal=Journal of the Royal Statistical Society |publisher=Oxford University Press |publication-date=1944 |volume=107 |issue=1 |pages=74–77 |jstor=2981362 |access-date=10 February 2026}}</ref> * John Huntley (1921–2003), film historian, educator and archivist, was born in Kew.<ref name="Brownlow">{{cite news|author= Brownlow, Kevin|author-link= Kevin Brownlow|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424215341|title= Obituary: John Huntley|work=The Independent|date= 28 August 2003|access-date= 27 April 2025}}</ref> * Elinor May Jenkins (1893–1920), war poet, and her brother Arthur Lewis Jenkins (1892–1917), soldier, pilot and war poet, who are buried next to each other in Richmond Cemetery, lived at the family home at Sussex House, 220 Kew Road. The house has been demolished and its name has been given to a block of flats that has been built on the site.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Reilly |first=Catherine W |title=English Poetry of the First World War: A Bibliography |publisher=New York: St. Martin's Press |year=1978 |isbn=9780860431060}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Out of the Fire of Hell. Welsh Experience of the Great War 1914-1918 in Poetry and Prose |year=2008 |isbn=9781843238904 |editor-last=Llwyd |editor-first=Alan |pages=327|publisher=Gomer Press }}</ref> * Serge Lourie (1946–2024), former Leader of Richmond upon Thames Council, and councillor for Kew for 28 years, lived at Burlington Avenue in Kew.<ref name="Companies">{{Cite web |title=Alexander Serge LOURIE |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/YZm-p5YhSwYuJeoFEDghnkoqSbA/appointments |access-date=8 October 2017 |publisher=Companies House}}</ref> * Alfred Luff (1846–1933), cricketer, who made three first-class appearances for Surrey in 1867, was born in Kew.<ref name="Luff Archive">{{cite web | url= https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/31/31102/31102.html | title=Alfred Luff | publisher=CricketArchive | access-date=11 January 2013}}</ref> * Phil Lynott (1949–1986), guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and leader of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy, lived in Kew.<ref name="Phil Lynott remembered">{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2009/08/19/thinlizzy_feature.shtml | title=Phil Lynott remembered | work=BBC Birmingham | date=13 November 2014 | access-date=31 May 2023 | author=Faulkner, Scott}}</ref> * Andrew Millar (1705–1768), Scottish bookseller and publisher, owned a country home on Kew Green<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.millar-project.ed.ac.uk/manuscripts/html_output/1.html|title=Letter from Andrew Millar to Andrew Mitchell, 26th August 1766|work= Circulating Enlightenment|publisher= AHRC Millar Project, University of Edinburgh|access-date=1 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Millar, Andrew |volume= 18 |page= 460 |short=1}}</ref> and died there in 1768.<ref group="nb">{{EB1911|inline=1|wstitle=Aiton, William|volume=1|page=460}}</ref> * Samuel Molyneux (1689–1728), Member of Parliament and an amateur astronomer, who was married to Lady Elizabeth Diana Capel, the eldest daughter of Algernon Capell, 2nd Earl of Essex, inherited Kew House on the death of Lady Capel of Tewkesbury.<ref name="Molyneux bio">{{cite web | url=https://mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Molyneux_Samuel/ | title=Samuel Molyneux | publisher=School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, Scotland | date=December 2008 | access-date=12 December 2022 |author1=O'Connor, J J |author2=Robertson, E F}}</ref> Molyneux set up an observatory at the house and collaborated there with James Bradley in innovative designs for reflecting telescopes.<ref name="Molyneux bio"/> Kew House which later, as the White House, became the home of Prince Frederick and Princess Augusta, was pulled down in 1802 when George II's short-lived gothic "castellated palace" was built.<ref name="Kew House archive">{{cite web | url=http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/GetRecord/SHCOL_553 | title=Archive record: Kew House, otherwise Kew Palace: Lease, 1759 Reference Number: 553 | publisher=Surrey History Centre | work=Exploring Surrey's Past | date=16 August 1759 | access-date=18 October 2012}}</ref> *Desmond Morton (1891–1971), soldier, intelligence officer and personal assistant to Winston Churchill 1940–45, lived at 22 Kew Green 1952–71.<ref name="Bennett2006">{{cite book | first= Gill | last=Bennett | author-link = Gill Bennett|title=Churchill's Man of Mystery: Desmond Morton and the World of Intelligence |publisher=Routledge |date= 2006 |isbn= 9780415394307}}</ref> * Conrad Noel (1869–1942), Church of England priest and prominent Christian socialist, was born in Royal Cottage, Kew Green.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Heywood|first=Andrew|year=1996|title=Gustav Holst, William Morris and the Socialist Movement|url=http://www.morrissociety.org/JWMS/11.4Spring1996/SP96.11.4.Heywood.pdf|journal=The Journal of the William Morris Society|publisher=William Morris Society|volume=11|issue=4|pages=39–47|issn=0084-0254|access-date=22 April 2018|archive-date=23 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423170046/http://www.morrissociety.org/JWMS/11.4Spring1996/SP96.11.4.Heywood.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> *Harold Pinter (1930–2008), playwright, dramatist, actor, director and Nobel Prize laureate, lived from 1960 to 1963 at Fairmead Court, Taylor Avenue, Kew<ref name="Baker2013">{{cite book|author=Baker, William|title=A Harold Pinter Chronology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LTiwAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA109|date=22 November 2013|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=978-1-137-38432-4|page=109|access-date = 23 May 2026}}</ref> where he wrote his 1961 play ''The Collection''.<ref name="Collection">{{Cite web |title=The Collection (1961) |url=https://pinterlegacies.uk/work/72 |access-date=6 December 2024|website=University of Leeds: The History of Production of the Works of Harold Pinter}}</ref> * George Pither (1899–1966), professional footballer, was born in Kew.<ref name="BristolRoversHistory">{{Cite web |title=O and P |url=http://bristolroversmemorabilia.weebly.com/o-and-p.html |access-date=27 April 2025 |website=The Bristol Rovers History Group }}</ref> *Sir Hugh Portman, 4th Baronet (died 1632), MP for Taunton, lived in a house opposite Kew Palace.<ref name="Lysons" /> * Admiral Sir Henry Prescott (1783– 1874), Royal Navy officer who served during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, and was later (1834–1841) the Governor of the Newfoundland Colony, was born in Kew.<ref name="NLH">{{Cite web |date=August 2020 |title=Prescott, Sir Henry (1783-1874) |url=https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/politics/civil-henry-prescott.php |access-date=28 April 2025 |website=Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage}}</ref> *Sir John Puckering (1544–1596), lawyer, politician, Speaker of the English House of Commons, and Lord Keeper from 1592 until his death, lived in Kew.<ref name="Lysons"/> *Anthony Saxton (1934–2015), advertising executive and headhunter, lived at 3 Mortlake Road in Kew, and was a churchwarden of St Anne's Church, Kew.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/02018211/officers |title=Saxton Bamphylde Hever Limited |publisher=Companies House |access-date=20 September 2018}}</ref> *Harry Scandrett (1892–1977), flying ace credited with seven aerial victories during the First World War, was born in Kew.<ref name="theaerodrome">{{cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/scandrett.php |title=Harry Scandrett |work=The Aerodrome |year=2016 |access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref> *Clementina Jacobina Sobieski Schnell (1760–1842), lived for 53 years at the Little Red House on Kew Green. She was related to Flora MacDonald. Her husband, Francis Schnell, was tutor to Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland. She died in 1842 when her headdress caught fire.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 September 1938 |title=A Link With Prince Charlie |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS135607099/TTDA?u=rtl_ttda&sid=bookmark-TTDA&xid=980f4412 |work=The Times |pages=8 |via=The Times Digital Archive|access-date=23 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/exhibitionofroya00newg_3 |title=Exhibition of the royal house of Stuart |date=1889 |via=Internet Archive |pages=58|access-date=23 May 2026}}</ref> * Sarah Trimmer (née Kirby; 1741–1810), writer and critic of 18th-century British children's literature, and educational reformer, lived in Kew before her marriage.<ref>{{cite book|author=Rodgers, Betsy|page = 113|chapter=Schools of Industry: Mrs. Trimmer|title= Cloak of Charity: Studies in Eighteenth-Century Philanthropy|location=London|publisher=Methuen and Co.|date= 1949|oclc=967508}}</ref> * Patrick Troughton (1921–1987), actor, most famous for playing the Second Doctor in the TV series ''Doctor Who'', lived in Kew.<ref name="Troughton">{{cite web | url=http://www.troughtonmichael.com/joomla16/index.php/extracts | title=Life depends on Change and Renewal | work=Extracts from Biography | access-date=11 October 2016 | author=Troughton, Michael | author-link=Michael Troughton | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011231535/http://www.troughtonmichael.com/joomla16/index.php/extracts | archive-date=11 October 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref> * Robert Tunstall (c 1759–1833) from Brentford, who built the second stone Kew Bridge, died at a house on Kew Green.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 December 1833 |title=Births, Deaths, Marriages and Obituaries |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/R3212131270/BNCN?u=rtl_ttda&sid=bookmark-BNCN&xid=00fc839b |work=The Standard (London) |access-date = 14 April 2025|via=British Library Newspapers}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Cooke |first1=Nicholas |last2=Phillpotts |first2=Christopher |date=2007 |title=Excavations at Kew Bridge House, Kew Bridge Road, Brentford, 2007 |url=https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/sites/default/files/Kew%20Bridge%20publication.pdf |website=Wessex Archaeology|access-date = 23 May 2026}}</ref> * George Vassila (1857–1915), cricketer, was born in Kew.<ref name="Vassila Archive">{{cite web | url= https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/33/33500/33500.html | title=George Vassila | publisher=CricketArchive | access-date=11 January 2013}}</ref><ref name="Vassila">{{cite web | url= https://eehe.org.uk/24116/vassilagc/ | title=George Charles Vassila 1857–1915 Professional cricketer and umpire| website= Epsom & Ewell History Explorer| access-date=2 August 2025}}</ref> * Andrew Watson (1856–1921), the world's first black person to play association football at international level,<ref name="NRS Watson">{{Cite web |title=Andrew Watson: Scotland's First Black Footballer |url=https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/learning/features/andrew-watson-scotlands-first-black-footballer |access-date=28 December 2023 |website=National Records of Scotland |date=31 May 2013 |archive-date=24 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224094403/https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/learning/features/andrew-watson-scotlands-first-black-footballer |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="blackhistorymonth">{{cite web|url=http://www.black-history-month.co.uk/articles/andrew_watson.html |title=First Black footballer, Andrew Watson, inspired British soccer in 1870s |work=Black History Month |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610052137/http://www.black-history-month.co.uk/articles/andrew_watson.html |archive-date=10 June 2010|access-date = 14 April 2025 }}</ref> retired to London in around 1910 and died of pneumonia at 88 Forest Road, Kew in 1921.<ref name = "Watsondeath">{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Mitchell |url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/top-football-stories/first-black-footballer-watson-story-takes-twist-1-2845754 |work=The Scotsman |date=20 March 2013 |access-date=20 March 2013 |title=First black footballer: Watson story takes twist}}</ref> He is buried in Richmond Cemetery.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.scottishsporthistory.com/1/post/2013/08/andrew-watson-a-gravestone-that-deserves-more.html | title=Andrew Watson: a gravestone that deserves more|author=Mitchell, Andy|date=16 August 2013|work=Scottish Sport History|access-date = 11 February 2021 }}</ref> * Iolo Williams (1890–1962), author, journalist and Liberal Party politician, lived at West Hall, Kew from the 1940s until his death in 1962.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 January 1962 |title=Deaths |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS17261107/TTDA?u=rtl_ttda&sid=bookmark-TTDA&pg=1&xid=1a1d64dd |work=The Times |pages=1 |via=The Times Digital Archive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=19 January 1962 |title=Mr. Iolo Williams: Journalist And Man Of Letters |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS235233843/TTDA?u=rtl_ttda&sid=bookmark-TTDA&pg=14&xid=b14e9c50 |work=The Times |pages=14 |via=The Times Digital Archive}}</ref>
====Living people==== *Geoffrey Archer, fiction writer and former Defence Correspondent of ITN, lives on Kew Green.<ref name="Brockes">{{Cite news |last=Brockes, Emma |author-link=Emma Brockes |date=23 July 2001 |title=Archer: the interview |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2001/jul/23/fiction.emmabrockes |access-date=7 April 2014}}</ref> *Mick Avory, musician and former drummer with The Kinks, lives in Kew.<ref name="Original">{{Cite news |last=Ambrose, Tom |date=22 February 2014 |title=Original Kinks drummer Mick Avory returns to Twickenham Eel Pie Club |url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/11026477.original-kinks-drummer-mick-avory-returns-to-twickenham-eel-pie-club/|access-date=20 January 2025 |work=Richmond Guardian}}</ref> *Nick Baird, former group corporate affairs director of energy firm Centrica, lives in Kew.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Nick Baird Consulting Ltd |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14620780/officers|access-date=20 January 2025 |website=Companies House}}</ref> *Marie-Elsa Bragg, writer, Anglican priest and therapist, lived in Kew as a young child.<ref name="Stanford"/> *Melvyn Bragg, Baron Bragg, broadcaster and author, lived in Kew when he was married to his first wife, Marie-Elisabeth Roche.<ref name="Stanford">{{Cite news |last=Stanford |first=Peter |date=25 July 2015 |title=Melvyn Bragg's daughter: 'My father has been a tortured man all my life |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/11762778/Melvyn-Braggs-daughter-My-father-has-been-a-tortured-man-all-my-life.html |access-date=15 April 2025 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref><ref name="BrooksST">{{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=Richard |date=30 March 2008 |title=The death of my Lisa never stops, says Melvyn Bragg |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/the-death-of-my-lisa-never-stops-says-melvyn-bragg-v3xsvt0nj5q |access-date=3 February 2025 |work=The Sunday Times}}</ref> * Justin Lee Collins, comedian and television presenter, lives in Kew.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 September 2012 |title=Justin Lee Collins 'kept girlfriend's sexual history' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19730639 |access-date=26 September 2012}}</ref> *Sir David Durie, former civil servant and Governor of Gibraltar, lives in Kew.<ref name="Family">{{Cite web |title=Sir David Durie |url=http://duriefamily.co.uk/history-today-duries-today/sir-david-durie |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129200248/http://duriefamily.co.uk/history-today-duries-today/sir-david-durie |archive-date=29 November 2014 |access-date=9 May 2014 |website=History & Today |publisher=The Durie Family}}</ref> *Simon Fowler, social historian and author, lives in Kew.<ref name="RLHS Who">{{Cite web |title=Who we are |url=https://www.richmondhistory.org.uk/wordpress/what-we-do/who-we-are/ |access-date=27 December 2018 |publisher=Richmond Local History Society}}</ref> *Giles Fraser, vicar of St Anne's Church, Kew, bought a house in Kew in 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 December 2023 |title=The Rev Giles Fraser: 'It was scary to be a first-time buyer at 58' |work=The Times|author= Membury, York|url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/article/giles-fraser-rev-interview-salary-net-worth-home-xqsmsn73l|access-date=29 September 2024}}</ref> *Ruth Gledhill, assistant editor, home and digital, of ''The Tablet'' and a former religion affairs correspondent for ''The Times'', lives in Kew.<ref name="Gledhill">{{Cite web |date=27 April 2023 |title=Riding for The Trust |url=https://www.brentfordfccst.com/en/news/article/riding-for-the-trust-ruth-gledhill |access-date=7 February 2026 |website=Brentford FC Community Sports Trust }}</ref> *Krishnan Guru-Murthy, lead presenter of ''Channel 4 News'', lives in Kew.<ref name="RBGTrustees">{{Cite web |title=Board of Trustees |url=https://www.kew.org/about-us/who-we-are/board-of-trustees |access-date=28 April 2025 |website=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew}}</ref> *Sir Donald Insall, architect, conservationist and author, lives in Kew.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fleming, Christine |date=20 June 2010 |title=OBEs, CBEs, and knighthoods all round as Richmond residents on Queen's Birthday Honours List |work=Richmond and Twickenham Times |url=https://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/8227529.obes-cbes-and-knighthoods-all-round-as-richmond-residents-make-it-on-to-queens-birthday-honours-list/|access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref> * Milton Jones, comedian, was brought up in Kew.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moore, Cliff |date=3 October 2011 |title=Milton Jones, Bournemouth Pavilion |work=Bournemouth Daily Echo |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/leisure/reviews/9284073.milton-jones-bournemouth-pavilion/ |access-date=8 December 2022}}</ref> * Gabby Logan, TV presenter, and her husband Kenny Logan, rugby player, live in Kew.<ref name="My London: Logan">{{Cite news |last=Conway, Juliet |date=12 October 2012 |title=Gabby Logan's My London |work=Evening Standard magazine |location=London |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/gabby-logans-my-london-8206713.html |access-date=14 January 2016}}</ref> * Steven McRae, principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, lives in Kew.<ref name="Hoggard">{{Cite news |last=Hoggard |first=Liz |date=3 September 2018 |title=Behind the scenes: Royal Ballet stars talk flexible living, family life and how London should keep hold of great talent |work=Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/homesandproperty/interiors/royal-ballet-stars-talk-flexible-living-family-life-and-how-london-should-keep-hold-of-great-talent-a123501.html |access-date=25 April 2021}}</ref> *Paul Ormerod, economist, has lived in Kew.<ref name="Ormerod">{{Cite news |last=Ormerod, Paul |author-link=Paul Ormerod |date=2 December 1993 |title=Letter: Kenneth Clarke's Budget: taxes, consumer spending, unemployment and Canada's Tories |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/letter-kenneth-clarkes-budget-taxes-consumer-spending-unemployment-and-canadas-tories-1464823.html |access-date=30 January 2016}}</ref> *Helen Sharman, the first British woman in space, lives in Kew.<ref name="Sharman thoughts">{{Cite web |last=Sharman, Helen |date=April 2020 |title=Thoughts from space |url=https://kewtw9.org/thoughts-from-space/ |access-date=7 March 2024 |website=TW9}}</ref> * A. C. H. Smith, novelist and playwright, was born in Kew.<ref name="A C H Smith">{{Cite web |title=ACH Smith Archive |url=https://www.bristol.ac.uk/theatre-collection/explore/theatre/ach-smith-archive/ |access-date=15 April 2025 |website=University of Bristol Theatre Collection}}</ref> * Jenny Tonge, Baroness Tonge, former MP for Richmond Park, and a councillor for Kew for nine years, lives in Kew.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tonge, Jenny |author-link=Jenny Tonge |date=16 April 2010 |title=Volcano's shadow may fall on UK {{sic|nolink=y|ecomony|expected=economy}}, but not on Heathrow flight path |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2010/apr/16/volanco-heathrow |access-date=19 February 2017}}</ref>
==Demography== In the ten years from the time of the 2001 census, the population rose from 9,445<ref name="Ward statistics">{{cite web | url=http://www.richmond.gov.uk/cenkew.pdf | title=Statistics from the 2001 Census of Population for Kew Ward | publisher=London Borough of Richmond upon Thames | date=23 August 2005 | access-date=12 June 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017192522/http://www.richmond.gov.uk/cenkew.pdf | archive-date=17 October 2013 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref> to 11,436,<ref name=ons/> the sharpest ten-year increase in Kew since the early 20th century. This was partly accounted for by the conversion of former Thames Water land to residential use, and increases in property sizes. The figures are based on those for Kew ward,<ref name="Ward statistics"/> the boundaries of the enlarged parish having been adjusted to allow for all wards in the borough to be equally sized.
===Homes and households=== {| class="wikitable" |+ ''2011 Census homes'' |- !Ward !!Detached !!Semi-detached!!Terraced!!Flats and apartments!!Caravans/temporary/<br/>mobile homes/houseboats!!Shared between households<ref name=ons/> |- |Kew||426 || 1,029 || 1,212 || 2,268 || 4 || 25 |} [[File:Kew Bridge in London 2007 Sept 21.jpg|thumb|Kew Bridge]] [[File:Kew Gardens Pier.jpg|thumb|Kew Pier]] [[File:Kew Rail Bridge stonework.JPG|thumb|Kew Railway Bridge stonework]] [[File:Kew Gardens Station Footbridge (geograph 3763563).jpg|thumb|Kew Gardens Station Footbridge]] thumb|Kew Gardens Station: main entrance on the eastbound side, 2014 {| class="wikitable" |+ ''2011 Census households'' !Ward !!Population !!Households !!% Owned outright !!% Owned with a loan!!Hectares<ref name=ons/> |- |Kew||11,436 || 4,941 || 30 || 30 || 330 |}
===Ethnicity=== In the 2011 census, 66.2% of Kew's population were White British. Other White was the second largest category at 16%, with 8.1% being Asian.<ref name="Census Data">{{cite web | url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/kew-e05000524 | title=UK Census Data – Kew | publisher=UKCensusdata.com | access-date=8 May 2021 | archive-date=22 June 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622194231/https://ukcensusdata.com/kew-e05000524 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Transport== In the past, a main mode of transport between Kew and London, for rich and poor alike, was by water along the Thames, which separated Middlesex (on the north bank) from Surrey: Kew was also connected to Brentford, Middlesex by ferry, first replaced by a bridge in 1759. The current Kew Bridge, which carries the South Circular Road (the A205), was opened by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1903.<ref name="Royal"/>
Kew Road (A307) passes through Kew as a single carriageway, and provides the main road link to Richmond. The M4 motorway starts a short distance north of Kew, providing access to Heathrow Airport and the west. The A316 road starts in Chiswick and continues over Chiswick Bridge and a complex junction with the South Circular Road at Chalker's Corner at the south-eastern end of the district.
Rail services have been available from Kew Gardens station since 1869.<ref name=CULG>{{cite web |url=https://www.davros.org/rail/culg/district.html#dates |title=District Line, Dates |work=Clive's Underground Line Guides |date=27 March 2011 |access-date=25 July 2011}}</ref> London Underground (District line) services run to Richmond and to central London. London Overground (Mildmay line) trains run to Richmond and (via Willesden Junction) to Stratford.
The 65, 110 and R68 bus routes serve Kew.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/kew-gardens-a4-121220.pdf|title=Buses from Kew Gardens|publisher=Transport for London|date=12 December 2020|access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref> River bus services run from Kew Pier to Westminster Millennium Pier, Richmond and Hampton Court.<ref name="River Boats">{{cite web|url=https://www.thamesriverboats.co.uk/info/index.asp?page=westminster-to-kew-richmond-hampton-court-service-130 |title=Westminster to Kew, Richmond & Hampton Court Service |publisher=Thames River Boats |access-date=15 June 2023}}</ref>
;Nearest places * Brentford * East Sheen * Richmond * Gunnersbury * Chiswick * Mortlake * Barnes ;Nearest railway stations * Kew Bridge station (South Western Railway) * Kew Gardens station (London Overground Mildmay line; London Underground District line) * North Sheen station (South Western Railway) ;Bridges *Kew Bridge, which carries the A205 South Circular Road. Beside the bridge is Kew Pier, which serves tourist ferries operating under licence from London River Services. *Kew Railway Bridge
==Parks and open spaces== [[File:Kew Green panorama 661-3 Hugin b.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Kew Green]] [[File:London Kew Gardens Japanese Part pano 5.jpg|thumb|200px|Japanese garden in Kew Gardens]] [[File:Kew War Memorial Garden, Westerly Ware.jpg|thumb|200px|The war memorial gate at Westerley Ware]] *Kew Green is used by Kew Cricket Club for cricket matches in the summer. *Kew Pond, near the north-east corner of Kew Green, believed to date from the tenth century,<ref name="Adams">{{Cite web |url=https://www.kewsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Kew-Pond-History.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008181042/http://kewsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Kew-Pond-History.pdf |archive-date=2017-10-08 |url-status=live |title=The History of Kew Pond |last1=Adams |first1=Mike |last2=Dunrossil |first2=Diana |publisher=The Kew Society |access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> is originally thought to have been a natural pond fed from a creek of the tidal Thames. During high (spring) tides, sluice gates are opened to allow river water to fill the pond via an underground channel. The pond is concreted, rectangular in shape and contains an important reed bed habitat which is vital for conservation and resident water birds. * North Sheen Recreation Ground in Dancer Road, known locally as "The Rec", was originally part of an orchard belonging to the Popham Estate, owned by the Leyborne Pophams whose family seat was at Littlecote House, Wiltshire. Opened in June 1909 and extended in 1923, it now contains football pitches, a running track, a children's paddling pool and two extensive playgrounds.<ref name="North Sheen Recreation Ground">{{cite web|url=https://www.richmond.gov.uk/services/parks_and_open_spaces/find_a_park/north_sheen_recreation_ground|title=North Sheen Recreation Ground |publisher=London Borough of Richmond upon Thames|access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref> It is also the home of a local football club, Kew Park Rangers. A sports pavilion<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/4649399.work-kicks-off-on-1m-sports-pavillion-for-north-sheen-recreation-ground/|title=Work kicks off on £1 million sports pavilion for North Sheen Recreation Ground|work=Richmond and Twickenham Times|author=Mason, Ian |date= 26 September 2009|access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref> was opened in September 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/9237119.delight-as-new-pavilions-in-north-sheen-and-palewell-finally-ready/|title=Delight as new pavilions finally ready |work=Richmond and Twickenham Times|author=Fleming, Christine |date= 8 September 2011|access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref> *Pensford Field,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pensfordfield.co.uk/|title=Pensford Field|publisher=Pensford Field Environmental Trust |access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref> previously playing fields of the former Gainsborough School, is a nature reserve that was managed until 2025 by Pensford Field Environmental Trust. It is now the home of Pensford Tennis Club and of Dose of Nature, a mental health and well-being charity.<ref name="Dose of Nature">{{Cite web |title=Dose of Nature – Pensford Field update |url=https://www.doseofnature.org.uk/pensford-field-update |date=September 2025 |website=Dose of Nature|access-date=22 January 2026}}</ref> * St Luke's Open Space, a quiet sitting area and toddlers' play area, was previously a playground for a former Victorian primary school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.richmond.gov.uk/services/parks_and_open_spaces/find_a_park/st_lukes_open_space|title=St Luke's Open Space |publisher=London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames|access-date=8 October 2017}}</ref><ref group="nb">The former building of St Luke's School is now an art studio.{{Cite web |url=http://kewstudio.org/about/find-us/ |title=Kew Studio |date=24 January 2013 |access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref> * Westerley Ware is at the foot of Kew Bridge. It was created as a memorial garden to those who died in the First World War, and also has a grass area, three hard tennis courts and a children's playground. Its name refers to the practice of netting weirs or "wares" to catch fish.<ref name=Ware>{{cite web|url=http://www.richmond.gov.uk/services/parks_and_open_spaces/find_a_park/westerley_ware_recreation_ground|title=Westerley Ware Recreation Ground |publisher=London Borough of Richmond upon Thames|access-date=8 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="Gardens online">{{cite web | url=https://londongardenstrust.org/conservation/inventory/site-record/?ID=RIC094| title=Westerley Ware (Richmond)| publisher=London Gardens Trust | date=22 February 2021 | access-date=14 June 2022}}</ref>
==Sport and leisure== Kew's several other sports clubs include: * North Sheen Bowling Club on Marksbury Avenue<ref name="Bowling">{{cite web | url=https://www.northsheenbowlingclub.co.uk/ | title=North Sheen Bowling Club | publisher=North Sheen Bowling Club | access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref> * Priory Park Club on Forest Road – tennis and (until 2017) bowls<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/15578933.A_113_year_old_bowls_club_in_Kew_has_closed/?ref=mr&lp=3|title=113-year-old Priory Park bowls club in Kew has closed |date=5 October 2017 |work=Richmond and Twickenham Times |access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref><ref name="Priory Park">{{cite web | url=http://www.prioryparkclub.org.uk/ | title=Welcome to Priory Park Club | publisher=Priory Park Club | access-date=3 February 2015}}</ref> * Putney Town Rowing Club on Townmead Road * Richmond Gymnastics Association on Townmead Road<ref name="RGA">{{cite web | url=https://www.richmondgymnastics.co.uk/ | title=Home | publisher=Richmond Gymnastics Association | access-date=3 February 2015}}</ref>
The nearest Premier League football club is Brentford FC; its stadium, opened in 2021, is on the other side of Kew Bridge, near Kew Bridge station.
==Societies== {{Infobox organization |name = The Kew Society |image = Kew Society logo.svg |image_border = |image_size = 100px |caption = |map = |map_size = |map_caption = |abbreviation = |formation = 1901 (as the Kew Union)<ref name="Blomfield, 1994, p.112 and p.131">Blomfield, 1994, p.112 and p.131</ref> |extinction = |type = |status = registered charity |purpose = |headquarters = |location = |num_members = 800 |language =
| |leader_name = Shiona Williams |leader_title = Chair |main_organ = The Kew Society Newsletter |parent_organization = |affiliations = |num_staff = none |num_volunteers = |budget = £32,848<ref name="Kew Soc AR">{{cite web|url=https://www.kewsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/AGM-2023-Final-version.pdf|title=Trustees' report and financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2023|publisher=The Kew Society|date=September 2023|access-date=17 April 2024}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |website = {{URL|www.kewsociety.org/}} |remarks = }}
The '''Kew Horticultural Society''', founded in 1938, organises an annual show in late August/early September<ref name="KHS History">{{cite web | url=https://www.kewhorticulturalsociety.org/index.html| title=History | publisher=Kew Horticultural Society | access-date=2 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="Show">{{cite web | url=https://www.kewhorticulturalsociety.org/history1.html | title=Summer Show | publisher=Kew Horticultural Society | access-date=2 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="Gupta">{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/3336007/When-the-country-comes-to-town.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/3336007/When-the-country-comes-to-town.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=When the country comes to town | work=The Daily Telegraph | date=28 August 2004 | access-date=19 May 2014 | author=Gupta, Lila Das}}{{cbignore}}</ref> as well as talks, events and outings throughout the year.
The '''Kew Society,''' founded in 1901 as the Kew Union,<ref name="Blomfield, 1994, p.112 and p.131"/> is a civic society that seeks to enhance the beauty of Kew and preserve its heritage. It reviews all planning applications in Kew with special regard to the architectural integrity and heritage of the neighbourhood, and plays an active role in the improvement of local amenities. The Society, which is a member of Civic Voice,<ref name="Civic Voice">{{cite web | url=http://www.civicvoice.org.uk/societies/the-kew-society/ | title=The Kew Society | publisher=Civic Voice | access-date=21 March 2015}}</ref> organises community events including talks and outings and produces a quarterly newsletter.
The '''Richmond Local History Society''' is concerned with the history of Kew, as well as that of Richmond, Petersham and Ham.<ref name="RLHS charity">{{Cite web |date=31 December 2022 |title=Richmond Local History Society |url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/292907/financial-history|access-date=9 June 2024 |website=Charity Commission}}</ref>
==Education== {{Main|List of schools in Richmond upon Thames}} thumb|Darell Primary and Nursery School
===Primary schools=== * Darell Primary and Nursery School is on Darell Road and Niton Road. It opened in 1906, as the Darell Road Schools, at the southern end of what had been the Leyborne-Popham estate.<ref>Blomfield 1994, pp.114–115</ref> It was Richmond Borough Council's first primary school and was built in the Queen Anne Revival style, in brick with white stone facings. Although it has been extended several times, it is now the only Richmond borough primary school still in its historic original pre-1914 building.<ref name="Darell history">{{cite web | url=https://www.darell.richmond.sch.uk/history | title=History | publisher=Darell Primary and Nursery School | access-date=19 May 2021}}</ref> * Kew Riverside Primary School, on Courtlands Avenue, opened in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/133343|title=Kew Riverside Primary School|website= GOV.UK|date = 8 January 2025|access-date= 8 February 2025}}</ref> * The King's Church of England Primary School is in Cumberland Road, where it moved in 1969.<ref name="King's History">{{cite web| url=https://www.queens.richmond.sch.uk/page/?title=History+of+The+School&pid=79| title=School history| publisher=The King's C of E Primary School, Kew| access-date=14 April 2025| archive-date=18 August 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818092549/https://www.queens.richmond.sch.uk/page/?title=History+of+The+School&pid=79| url-status=dead}}</ref> In her will of 1719, Dorothy, Lady Capel of Kew House left to four trustees Perry Court Farm in Kent, which she had inherited from her father. One twelfth of the rent from the farm was to be given to St Anne's Church to establish a school in Kew.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/collections/getrecord/SHCOL_8306|title=The Queen's School, Kew: Records | work=Exploring Surrey's Past| publisher= Surrey History Centre archives | access-date=28 May 2017}}</ref> In 1810, a "Free School" was opened in the church for 50 children, financed by subscribers who gave one guinea a year, in addition to a contribution by King George III. In 1824 the school moved to a site near the pond on Kew Green. The foundation stone was laid on 12 August, the birthday of King George IV, who gave £300 on condition that it be called "The King's Free School". Queen Victoria gave permission for it to be called "The Queen's School" and decreed that its title should change with that of the monarch.<ref name="King's History"/> In 2016, the building that had been created after the move to the Cumberland Road site in 1970 was demolished and a new structure installed in its place.<ref name="King's History"/>
===Independent preparatory schools=== * Broomfield House School, on Broomfield Road, was founded in 1876.<ref name="Broomfield Early">{{Cite web |title=The Early Years |url=http://www.broomfieldhouse.com/The-Early-Years |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109193752/http://www.broomfieldhouse.com/The-Early-Years |archive-date=9 November 2015 |access-date=1 November 2015 |publisher=Broomfield House School}}</ref> * Kew College Prep, a co-educational school for 3- to 11-year-olds, was founded in 1927 by Mrs Ellen Upton in rooms over a shop in Kew. Mrs Upton's young daughter was one of the first pupils. The school later moved to Cumberland Road. In 1953, Mrs Upton retired and sold the school to Mrs Hamilton-Spry who, in 1985, handed over the buildings to a charitable trust to ensure the school's long term continuity. * Kew Green Preparatory School, at Layton House, Ferry Lane, near Kew Green, opened in 2004. * Unicorn School, established in 1970, is a co-educational, parent-owned independent preparatory school on Kew Road, opposite Kew Gardens.<ref name="Unicorn">{{Cite web |title=Unicorn School |url=https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/102944 |date = 15 November 2022|access-date=14 January 2023 |website=www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk}}</ref>
===Former schools=== From 1840, Leopold Neumegen operated a Jewish school in Kew after his earlier school in Highgate closed and when, for financial reasons, he needed to commence work again. Neumegen's wife and, later, their daughter Ada, ran the school after his death; it closed during the First World War. The school was at Gloucester House, built in around 1750 and named after Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1743–1805) who used it as a country retreat. The house has been demolished and is now the site of Gloucester House, a block of flats.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title= Neumegen, Leopold|encyclopedia=The Jewish Encyclopedia |year= 1906|author1= Jacobs, Joseph|author2= Lipkind, Goodman|author-link2 = Goodman Lipkind|editor=Singer, Isidore|id= |url=https://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/11477-neumegen-leopold |access-date= 24 April 2025|publisher= Funk & Wagnalls}}</ref><ref name="Roberts">{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Marcus |title=Richmond & South West London: 13. Mr. Neumegen's School for Jews – Richmond Road, Kew |url=http://www.jtrails.org.uk/trails/richmond-and-south-west-london/places-of-interest#pc955 |access-date=6 December 2025 |website=jtrails: National Anglo-Jewish Heritage Trail}}</ref>
==Places of worship== Four churches in Kew are currently in use: {| class="wikitable" ! Name !! Denomination !! History!! Address !! Website !! Image |- | Our Lady of Loreto & St Winefride Catholic Church, Kew|| Roman Catholic||From 1890 to 1906 local Roman Catholics met in a temporary chapel at a Catholic mission on Kew Gardens Road. Designed by the architects Scoles & Raymond, the new church was opened in 1906 and the side aisles, baptistery and chapels were added in 1968. The sanctuary was remodelled in 1977 and the church was refurbished and decorated in 1998. A parish hall is located next to the church. After a parishioner's bequest paid off the church's debts, the church was dedicated and consecrated in 1979. ||1 Leyborne Park, Kew, Richmond TW9 3HB||{{URL|www.stwinefrides.org.uk}}||120px| |- |St Anne's Church, Kew ||Anglican||Built in 1714 on land given by Queen Anne, the church, now Grade II* listed, has been extended several times. The present parish hall was built in 1978. The churchyard has two Grade II* listed monuments – the tombs of the artists Johan Zoffany (d. 1816) and Thomas Gainsborough (d. 1788).||Kew Green, Kew, Richmond TW9 3AA||{{URL|www.saintanne-kew.org.uk}}||120px |- | St Luke's Church, Kew ||Anglican||Founded in 1889, St Luke's now forms a joint parish with the Barn Church (below). The church, built in the Gothic Revival style by architects Goldie, Child and Goldie, was redesigned in 1983 to create a smaller space for Christian worship in the former chancel area and to enable the former nave, and a second hall constructed in a loft conversion, to be used for community purposes also: it now hosts the Kew Community Trust and acts as a community centre.||The Avenue, Kew, Richmond TW9 2AJ||{{URL|www.stlukeskew.org}}||120px |- |St Philip and All Saints Church, Kew (the Barn Church) ||Anglican||Founded in 1929, this was the first barn church to be consecrated in England. Local Anglicans previously worshipped at St Peter's, a hall erected in 1910 (and now demolished) on the corner of Marksbury Avenue and Chilton Road. The church building was constructed in 1929 from a 17th- (or possibly 16th-) century barn from Oxted in Surrey. The west end was converted in 2002 into a large parish room with a gallery above looking down the length of the building. The sanctuary was refurbished and remodelled in 1998.||Atwood Avenue, Kew, Richmond TW9 4HF||{{URL|barnchurchkew.uk}}||120px |}
Former churches include: * Kew Baptist Church, a Grace Baptist church, which was founded in 1861 in Richmond as Salem Baptist Church. It moved in 1973 to a new building on Windsor Road in Kew, adopting the name Kew Baptist Church in 1990, and closed in 2020. The building is now used as a pool for children's swimming lessons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.swimway.co.uk/blog/general-swimway-updates/swimway-kew-gardens-pool/|access-date = 27 April 2025|title=Kick Start Summer Fun at SwimWay's Newly Built Kew Gardens Pool!|website= SwimWay| date=16 February 2024 }}</ref> * the late 19th-century Cambridge Road Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, previously known as the Gloucester Road Wesleyan Methodist Chapel<ref name="Wesleyan">{{cite web | url=https://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=370636&disp=Church+records%20%20&columns=*,180,0 | title=Cambridge Road Wesleyan Methodist Chapel (Kew, Surrey): Church records, 1892–1902 | publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | work=Family History Library Catalog | access-date=23 April 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808054206/https://familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=370636&disp=Church+records%20%20&columns=*,180,0 | archive-date=8 August 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref> and also known as Cambridge Road Methodist Church,<ref name="NRA">{{cite web | url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/c/F87179 | title=Cambridge Road Methodist Church, Kew 1891–1969: minutes, baptism register and misc papers | publisher=The National Archives (UK) | work=National Register of Archives | access-date=27 April 2025}}</ref> which was in use from 1891 to 1969.<ref name="NRA"/> It is now a private residence. A late Victorian Salvation Army hall at 6 North Road, built in the style of a chapel, was converted into flats (1–5 Quiet Way) in 2006.<ref>{{Cite book|author= Members of the Richmond Local History Society|publisher=Richmond Local History Society |date=2022|location= London|title=The Streets of Richmond and Kew ''(4th, expanded edition)''| isbn= 978-1912-314034|page=102}}</ref>
==Cemeteries and crematorium== [[File:North Sheen Cemetery. - geograph.org.uk - 46385.jpg|thumb|North Sheen Cemetery]] Mortlake Crematorium and two cemeteries – North Sheen Cemetery and Mortlake Cemetery – are located in Kew.<ref name="Kew Village Plan">{{cite web| url=https://consultation.richmond.gov.uk/consultation/kew-spd/supporting_documents/Kew%20Village%20Planning%20Guidance%20SPD%20260214.pdf| title=Kew Village Planning Guidance| publisher=London Borough of Richmond upon Thames| page=36| date=1 February 2014| access-date=8 December 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004090826/https://consultation.richmond.gov.uk/consultation/kew-spd/supporting_documents/Kew%20Village%20Planning%20Guidance%20SPD%20260214.pdf| archive-date=4 October 2015| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}}</ref> The crematorium serves the boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames and the two cemeteries are managed by Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
==Literary references to Kew== [[File:Syringa 6540.JPG|thumb|Lilac in Kew Gardens]] thumb|Tram to Kew and Richmond c.1900 I am His Highness' dog at Kew;<br> Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you? ::''Epigram, engraved on the Collar of a Dog which I gave to his Royal Highness (Frederick, Prince of Wales)'', 1736<ref name="Pope">{{cite journal | title=His Highness' Dog at Kew | author=Thomas, W K | journal=College English |date=April 1969 | volume=30 | issue=7 | pages=581–586| doi=10.2307/374007| jstor=374007 }}</ref> (Alexander Pope, 1688–1744)
And the wildest dreams of Kew are the facts of Khatmandhu. ::''In The Neolithic Age'', 1892 (Rudyard Kipling, 1865–1936)
Go down to Kew in lilac-time, in lilac-time, in lilac-time; <br> Go down to Kew in lilac-time (it isn't far from London!)<br> And you shall wander hand in hand with love in summer's wonderland; <br> Go down to Kew in lilac-time (it isn't far from London!) ::''The Barrel-Organ'', 1920 (Alfred Noyes, 1880–1958)
Trams and dusty trees.<br> Highbury bore me. Richmond and Kew<br> Undid me. ::''The Waste Land'', 1922 (T. S. Eliot, 1888–1965)
Lady Croom: My hyacinth dell is become a haunt for<br> hobgoblins, my Chinese bridge, which I am assured is<br> superior to the one at Kew, and for all I know at Peking, is<br> usurped by a fallen obelisk overgrown with briars. ::''Arcadia'', 1993 (Tom Stoppard, 1937–2025)
==See also== * Dodge 100 "Kew" and Dodge 300 trucks that were built in Kew * Kew Gardens (the botanic gardens in Kew) and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (the non-departmental public body that manages the botanic gardens in Kew and at Wakehurst in Sussex) * Kew Green * Kew Letters * Kew Mortuary * Kew Observatory * Kew Palace * North Sheen * The National Archives
==Notes== {{Reflist|group="nb"}}
==References== {{Reflist|3}}
==Sources== * Blomfield, David (1994). ''Kew Past''. Chichester, Sussex: Phillimore & Co Ltd. {{ISBN|0-85033-923-5}}
==Further reading== * {{Cite book |publisher = Leyborne Publications |location = London |title = The Story of Kew ''(5th, enlarged, edition)''|author = Blomfield, David |date = 2011|isbn= 978-0-9520515-3-4|author-link = David Blomfield }} * {{Cite book |publisher = Richmond Local History Society |location = London |title = Kew at War 1939–1945 ''(4th, expanded edition)''|author1=Blomfield, David |author2=May, Christopher |author3 = Fowler, Simon|author3-link= Simon Fowler|date = 2024|isbn =978-1-912314-05-8}} *{{cite book|author=Cloake, John|author-link= John Cloake| date =1995|title= Palaces and Parks of Richmond and Kew vol. I: The Palaces of Shene and Richmond|location= Chichester|publisher=Phillimore & Co Ltd| isbn=978-0850339765| oclc=940979634}} *Cloake, John (1996). ''Palaces and Parks of Richmond and Kew vol. II: Richmond Lodge and the Kew Palaces''. Chichester: Phillimore & Co Ltd. {{ISBN|978-1860770234}}. {{OCLC|36045530}}. OL 8627654M. *Cloake, John (2001). ''Cottages and Common Fields of Richmond and Kew''. Chichester: Phillimore & Co Ltd. {{ISBN|978-1860771958}}. {{OCLC|49890172}}. * {{Cite book|author= Members of the Richmond Local History Society|publisher=Richmond Local History Society |date=2022|location= London|title=The Streets of Richmond and Kew ''(4th, expanded edition)''| isbn= 978-1912-314034}} *{{cite journal|author=Stilwell, Martin|journal= Richmond History: Journal of the Richmond Local History Society|year= 2020|pages = 71–85|title=Industries in Kew and North Richmond in the First World War|volume= 41|issn=0263-0958}} * {{Cite book |publisher = Cassell & Co. |location = London |title = Greater London: a narrative of its history, its people, and its places |author = Walford, Edward |date = 1883 |oclc = 3009761 |chapter= Kew |chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/greaterlondonnar02walf#page/389/mode/1up |author-link = Edward Walford }}
==External links== {{Commons category|Kew, London}} {{EB1911 poster|Kew}} {{Wikivoyage|London/Richmond-Kew}} *[https://kewtw9.org/ KewTW9 community website] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120316204306/http://www.richmond.gov.uk/cenacmkew.pdf Kew Area Profile] *[https://www.historyworld.net/event-timelines?q=Kew&from=&themes=&areas= ''HistoryWorld'': Kew timeline] *[https://www.kewsociety.org/ Kew Society] *[https://kewvillagemarket.org/ Kew Village Market] *[https://www.richmondhistory.org.uk// Richmond Local History Society]
{{LB Richmond}} {{Areas of London}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Kew, London Category:Areas of London Category:Chrysler factories Category:Districts of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Category:Districts of London on the River Thames Category:English artists Category:Frederick, Prince of Wales Category:History of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Category:Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha Category:Royal residences in the United Kingdom