Kew Palace and Queen Charlotte's Cottage

Kew Palace and Queen Charlotte's Cottage Review

The elegant red-brick exterior of Kew, the smallest of Britain's royal palaces, seems almost humble when compared with the grandeur of, say, Buckingham or Kensington Palaces. Yet inside is a fascinating glimpse into life at the uppermost end of society from the 17th to the 19th centuries. This is actually the third of several palaces that stood here; once known as Dutch House, this was one of the havens to which George III retired when insanity forced him to withdraw from public life. Queen Charlotte had an orné—a rustic-style cottage retreat—added in the late 18th century. In a marvelously regal flight of fancy, she kept kangaroos in the paddock outside. The main house and gardens are maintained in the 18th- century style. There are extended tours of the palace on a few Sunday evenings each summer that cover areas not usually on show, such as the Tudor undercroft. Check the Web site for details.