The World’s Most Famous Conservatories and Orangeries

Conservatories and the opportunities they provide as tourist attractions can be appreciated in this list of the world’s most famous conservatories and orangeries. From the UK to the USA, here are some of the most impressive glass structures around the world.

Eden Project, Cornwall

The Eden Project is officially the world’s biggest greenhouse, housing over one million plants. The impressive selection is open to the public all year round, so if you have an interest in plants or glass buildings, this is the place to visit on a weekend. Some of the plants you’ll see you’d never expect to be able to view alive in this country, thanks to the Rainforest Biome.

[Image via: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eden_Project#/media/File:Eden_Project_geodesic_domes_panorama.jpg]

Schönbrunn Palace orangery, Vienna

This beautiful, grand orangery was built for a widowed Empress in the 1700s to house her bitter orange plants. The orangery and gardens were listed as a UNESCO heritage site in 1996, and the palace itself is the most visited landmark in Vienna.

The Princess of Wales Conservatory, Kew Gardens

This grand conservatory was opened by Diana, Princess of Wales in 1987 and remains one of the most loved features of the beautiful Kew Gardens. It has ten computer controlled climate zones under one roof, including the dry tropics.

Bicentennial Conservatory, Adelaide

This unique glass structure was opened in 1989 as part of the Australian Bicentenary, and is now one of South Australia’s most recognised landmarks. It’s the largest single span conservatory in the Southern hemisphere and is home to a collection of plants at danger from extinction from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and other Pacific islands.

[Image via: http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2014/05/30/4015499.htm]

Butterfly Wonderland, Arizona

This is the USA’s largest indoor rainforest atrium, which is also home to over 3,000 butterflies. There’s also a hive of honey bees and desert insects to take a look at while exploring the huge conservatory.

The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Detroit

Also known as the Belle Isle Conservatory, this building was renamed after Anna Scripps Whitcomb donated her 600 orchids to the conservatory. The dome is a huge 85 feet in height, and was designed by renowned architect Albert Khan. The conservatory and botanical garden houses lots of exotic plantlife and is one of the main attractions on Belle Isle.

[Image via: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Isle_Conservatory#/media/File:Belle_Isle_Whitcomb_Conservatory.jpg]

Do you enjoy the wonders of nature which can be found in conservatories and orangeries? Why not build your very own which you can visit whenever you like? Create your own botanical paradise with a self-build conservatory.