In the original dust jacket. Grey cloth binding with silver title on the spine.

• We provide an in-depth photographic presentation of this item to stimulate your feeling and touch. More traditional book descriptions are immediately available

Following the success of the hardback, this paperback edition of A Year At Kew is published to coincide with a new 12-part series which returns to follow another year in the life of Kew Garden. The first series attracted average audiences of over 3 million viewers and the hardback book sold over 40,000 copies. Kew Garden has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ranking it alongside Stonehenge, the Pyramids and the Taj Mahal. It receives over a million visitors a year and has been voted the UK’s favourite garden. Beautifully illustrated and with extensive behind-the-scenes access, A Year At Kew captures the passion and commitment that goes into the garden and offers a unique look at this much-loved institution. Featuring a foreword by Alan Titchmarsh, himself a former student at Kew.

Review: This is an entertaining and absorbing book, a perfect read for cold nights snuggled up in an armchair or lying abed with the duvet pulled up to your chin. It offers a description of some of the work which takes place at Kew Gardens – from an insight into how decisions are made to more practical issues like the planting of specimens. Kew has a world reputation for its role in preserving plant life and its advocacy for the planet, and it is fitting that as many people as possible should hear the message and get to know about the vital work that goes on there.

So, all praise to the BBC for putting together a series about Kew. Inevitably, the book of the series also comes along. While I’ve criticised some of the BBC book choices as merely being exploitative marketing, there is a gentle legitimacy to this volume. “A Year at Kew” is a charming publication, well written, well illustrated. It is an absorbing read to get you thinking about the coming year in your own garden, or the coming year’s opportunities to get out and visit local botanical gardens or explore your native flora and fauna. The text looks at the work of Kew, making it come alive, taking a natural perspective – how do the staff at Kew encourage plants to grow, find new species, organise and arrange the displays, etc. The photos are delightfully presented – they are low key, tranquil … There’s nothing garish about the illustrations. This is not a book which shouts. It’s a book which whispers. Definitely to be commended if you are a fan of the TV series, have visited (or plan to visit) Kew, or are interested in the natural world.