Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens are a spectacular 300 acre Royal Botanical Garden

Palm House in the beautiful Kew Gardens
Palm House in the beautiful Kew Gardens Photo courtesy Kew Gardens

The stunning 300 acre Kew Gardens is only 30 minutes from central London and is more than worth the trip. You can easily reach the gardens on the tube.

The gardens grew from an exotic garden in Kew Park started by Lord Capel John. They were later expanded by Augusta, the Dowager Princess of Wales, who had a number of garden structures built. Of these a Chinese Pagoda built in 1761 is still there today. Over the years the gardens and their collection continued to grow under the direction of different individuals. In 1840 the gardens became a National Botanical Garden.

The Kew Gardens offer so much to explore and one can easily spend a full day or more here. Some of the top attractions include:

  • The Palm House: A curvaceous glasshouse first completed in 1848 in which palm trees and tropical plants from around the world thrive in a warm moist environment.
  • The Temperate House: The world's largest remaining glasshouse from the Victorian era with an area of 53,000 square feet and reaching a height of 63 feet. The Temperate House preserves a large collection of sub-tropical and temperate region plants from around the world including endagered varieties which are being propagated to help reestablish them in their original locations.
  • The Princess of Wales Conservatory: A newer conservatory that has 10 different climate zones all managed by computer.
  • The Great Pagoda: The oldest structure still in the Gardens, the Great Pagoda, built in 1761 has 10 floors, stands 163 feet high and is 49 feet in diameter at the base.
  • Rhizotron and Xstrata Treetop Walkway: This new attraction takes you both below ground to the root zone of the trees as well as along a 660 foot long walkway 60 feet above the Arboretum that stretches between the Temperate House and the Lake

All of the above are set in a beautiful park setting. These are just a few of the many things to see and discover in these beautiful gardens which are now recognized as a World Heritage Site. If you love plants and gardens, visiting the Kew Gardens is a must during your London Vacation.

The Kew Gardens are open daily, except December 24th and 25th, from 10am. Kew Palace is open to the public during Spring and Summer from April through to the last weekend in September.

For more information about the Kew Gardens and their admission charges visit their official website.

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes.

Regular Hours:
May differ on holidays

  • Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Address: Richmond, UK

Phone: 020 8332 5655

Official Website: Kew Gardens

Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 Star Rating

4 Star Rating HUGE!! SO much to see. Perfect activity for those who love plants, flowers and anything botanical. Bought tickets online - slightly cheaper. Beautiful landscapes. Couldn't see the entire place. Easy to get lost but if you follow the signs and/or map (pick one up at the entrance) you should be fine. Visited the stunning glasshouse. It was massive and also had a really pretty treetop walkway. Visited during mid February so wasn't crazy busy but can imagine it gets much more lively during the spring and summer months.
Aditee Soorjonowa - a week ago

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4 Star Rating They recommend spending the entire day here, which I think is a bit much really unless you're a botanist. Once you've been into one of the pavilions, really you've been into all of them unless there's something specific you want to see. Certainly peaceful and nice to explore. Some nice views like the pagoda and the palace (which is a lot smaller than it looks). But you're certainly not missing much if you don't go honestly.
Yogen Mudgal - a week ago

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5 Star Rating Magnificent botanical gardens for viewing an incredible collection of trees, flowers, buildings, sculptures and special exhibits. The coffee shops and gift shops are exceptional with many opportunities to purchase quality gifts. The Marianne North pavilion is a must visit however no photos are allowed inside yet, you can buy postcards! In the spring and summer - a most beautiful place for strolling. Enjoy!
Heba F. El-Shazli - in the last week

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5 Star Rating The Botanic Gardens at Kew is a wonderful venue full of conservatories of exotic plants and large parkland. It is not usually open in the evenings, but the Orchids After Hours show was beautiful and so worth seeing. A visit to Kew is à great day out.
Amanda Deacon - a week ago

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5 Star Rating Very nice garden, it’s huge and there is a lot to see, I would recommend you to spend around 4-5h there, be prepared to walk a lot, they do exhibitions sometimes and you have to book in advance, you can see information on their website. Entry fee £9 (student)
Daniela Moraes - 2 weeks ago

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Directions

Tube Line Nearest Station Walking Time
District and Overground LinesKew Station8 Minutes

How to get to Kew Gardens by Tube

From Kew Gardens Station walk west along Station Parade, then right on High Park Road, then right on Sandycombe Road followed by a quick left onto Lichfield Road. The entrance to Kew Gardens is at the west end of Lichfield.

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