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.

Kew Gardens Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Address: Richmond, UK

Phone: 020 8332 5655

Official Website: Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating Amazing place, I think nearly every plant and display had IDs on them. Loved the house with plant painting gallery in it 😍 The wonderful views climbing up the tree's/ pagoda and the the glass houses. The rose garden displays were just beautiful 😻 Loved absolutely everything here couldn't fault anything Highly recommend
Izzy Wizzy - a week ago

Show More
Show Less

5 Star Rating Lovely flat mostly, lots of glasshouses with different plants, temperate, palm, princess of Wales conservatory, waterlily house, alpine house. A liot of sculptors around to add interest and plenty of cafe and ice cream stops as you walk around. We did a guided tour which was excellent and gives a lot of deal of the history and what is there to see. I would recommend going on a walk to the outskirts of the park to the pergola and parkland as its very quiet, and not really too far.
hannah sherlock - a week ago

Show More
Show Less

5 Star Rating The gardens are massive -expect to walk 5-10km to see most of it. Plenty of benches around to have a rest and enjoy the surrounds. Bathrooms are easy to access. We were there on Father’s Day so it was busy but only noticeable around the food purchasing areas.
Elise Rogers - a week ago

Show More
Show Less

5 Star Rating Wow, where do I even begin with Kew Gardens? This place is absolutely magnificent and enormous! Seriously, wear comfortable shoes because you're going to want to explore every nook and cranny. First off, Queen Charlotte’s mansion. I was absolutely blown away by the history seeping out of every corner. It felt like stepping back in time! One of the guides inside, who clearly moonlights as a history professor, taught me so many fascinating tidbits that I almost considered starting my own historical podcast. Almost. Now, let's talk about the glasshouses. Walking through those, surrounded by exotic flowers from every corner of the globe, felt like entering a magical realm. It’s like a botanical United Nations in there! And don't get me started on the metal bee hive structure. It's a masterpiece. I was there as the sun was setting and, let me tell you, when those lights started to glow, it felt like being in a futuristic fairy tale. Just make sure your camera is ready, because you'll want to capture that brilliance. The flowers and trees all around Kew Gardens are spectacular and so well-maintained. I kept thinking they must have a secret garden army to keep everything looking so perfect. Oh, and the ice cream trucks! I couldn't resist treating myself to a chocolate and vanilla swirl, and it was the perfect companion as I strolled through the gardens. Nothing like a little sugar to fuel your exploration, right? For those of you with kids, the play area is top-notch. My nephew had an absolute blast. It's designed so well that I almost considered joining in, but alas, I settled for the role of the cool uncle cheering from the sidelines. The staff throughout the gardens were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. Every time I had a question, they had an answer—and usually an interesting story to go with it. All in all, Kew Gardens is a must-visit, whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or just in need of a picturesque day out with the family. Highly recommended! P.S. Don't forget to stop by the gift shop—because who doesn't need more plant-themed souvenirs?
Ayyub Chowdhury - a week ago

Show More
Show Less

5 Star Rating Always splendid. Had a great time exploring the green houses. Lovely exhibits, everything lush and green- calming, soothing, meditative. The shop sells brilliant scented soaps(magnolia & pear is my absolute favourite) and the scarves are gorgeous. Keep a day for this gem of a garden.
Saman Khan - a week ago

Show More
Show Less

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.

Map & Instant Route Finder

Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.

Finding Your Route - Please Wait

Accommodations near Kew Gardens:

Photo Gallery

Video

Please provide consent and/or disable ad blocker to view the video.


London Hotel Deals


Book Now, Pay Later
Price Matching
2,563,000+ Properties Worldwide
24/7 Support
booking.com logo
Booking.com sale banner link

Visiting London?
Here's why we use Booking.com for our hotel bookings.
Best Selection
Daily Deals
Price Matching
Pay at the Hotel
24/7 Support
Share on Pinterest
Share on Pinterest
Help us grow! Please Share
Thanks for Visiting!