When Henry VII set up Richmond Palace as his favoured residence, his relatives Charles Somerset, Earl of Worcester (succeeded by his son George) settled near by, here in Kew Park adjacent to the Earls of Devon.

O/S Co-ords:1864.7747
Source(s):

Kew Past

Frederick acquired the house that had been Kew Park Lodge and had it rebuilt under the direction of William Kent. It was then known as White House. His mother presumed that he had set up home adjacent to her own in Richmond Lodge just to annoy her.

O/S Co-ords:1864.7747
Source(s):

Kew Past

Augusta married Frederick, Prince of Wales, heir to George II and they set up a household here in what had been The Lodge of Kew Park and which Frederick had rebuilt as the White House. She, her husband and John Stuart, Earl of Bute, had a common interest in gardening and the estate about the house became the first part of the Kew Botanical Gardens. Following Frederick's death in 1751, Augusta and Bute continued the development of the garden. They employed as gardener a Scot, William Aiton, and for the design of landscape features the architect William Chambers. Aiton's appointment in 1759 is taken as the foundation date for Kew Gardens. Bute was also the chief mentor of George, Their upbringing of the future King George III was derided by the establishment press and politicians. Augusta's involvement with Bute was so vehemently attacked after his appointment as prime minister by the young king that he was forced from office and eventually had to leave Kew.

O/S Co-ords:1864.7747
Source(s):

Kew Past