Kew is also the home of important historical documents such as Domesday Book, which is held at The National Archives.

Since 1965 Kew has incorporated the former area of North Sheen[4] which includes St Philip and All Saints, the first barn church consecrated in England.

Among these are sports-and-leisure open spaces, schools, transport links, architecture, restaurants, no high-rise buildings, modest road sizes, trees and gardens.

[8][9] 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.

The fashion clothing retailer Jigsaw's headquarters, now at Water Lane, Richmond,[10] were previously in Mortlake Road, Kew.

The various models of De Sotos were named Richmond, Mortlake and Croydon; Plymouths were Kew Six and Wimbledon.

In 1538 Sir George Somerset sold the house for £200 to Thomas Cromwell (c.1485–1540), who resold it for the same amount to Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk (c. 1484–1545).

Brandon had probably already inhabited Kew during the life of his wife Mary Tudor, 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")[18] for a time after her return to England.

[27] King William IV spent most of his early life at Richmond and at Kew Palace, where he was educated by private tutors.

This was partly accounted for by the conversion of former Thames Water land to residential use, and increases in property sizes.

The current Kew Bridge, which carries the South Circular Road (the A205), was opened by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1903.

The M4 motorway starts a short distance north of Kew, providing access to Heathrow Airport and the west.

London Overground (Mildmay line) trains run to Richmond and (via Willesden Junction) to Stratford.

The Kew Horticultural Society, founded in 1938, organises an annual show in late August/early September[148][149][150] as well as talks, events and outings throughout the year.

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,[151] organises community events including lectures and outings and produces a quarterly newsletter.

Lady Croom: My hyacinth dell is become a haunt for hobgoblins, my Chinese bridge, which I am assured is superior to the one at Kew, and for all I know at Peking, is usurped by a fallen obelisk overgrown with briars.