Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens are a spectacular 300 acre Royal Botanical Garden

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 – 7:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Address: Richmond, UK
Phone: 020 8332 5655
Official Website: Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens Reviews
Rated
My girlfriend and I had a wonderful day at Kew Gardens. The gardens are nothing short of spectacular, with an endless variety of flowers, plants and trees to admire. The greenhouses were a particular highlight, each one like stepping into a different climate zone filled with colour and life. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and clearly passionate about what they do, which really added to the experience. We had such a fantastic time that we are already planning our next visit, this time with the whole family in tow. Highly recommended for anyone who loves nature, beauty and a great day out. We highly recommend pre booking your tickets if you can and getting there early, as the car park is not huge and can fill up quickly.
Dan Warman - 2 weeks ago
I could have walked around the grounds for days, all so beautiful!
So many incredible plants and trees to see, stunning buildings, and lots of areas to sit/picnic. We are at the orangery and were surprised by just how fantastic the food was, and so many healthy options.
The gentleman at the ticket booth was so helpful and kind!
Teya Knightingale - a week ago
I absolutely loved our visit to Kew Gardens. It’s beautifully maintained and there is so much to see. We bought tickets online on the way to the park and were scanned in upon entry. There are multiple options for food and souvenirs, and the park is incredibly accessible. I could have spent so much longer. Only down side is the greenhouses get even hotter than usual on a hot summer day - so glad we came for opening!
Alyssa Becker - a month ago
Stunning world-class gardens. Really enjoyed my time there. Went first weekend in August and was very busy but because it's so big it's easy to find quiet spaces away from the crowds. The staff at the front gate were so friendly too.
Some things to note:
- If you're under 30 go for the youth ticket like I did. Even though it's a great garden it's far too expensive at full price, so it was great to be able to get it at £10. You do need to show ID though
- Bring food and water. There's plenty of places to sit and eat, and places to fill a water bottle. There's food there but overpriced as is all tourist attractions.
- Go when it opens (10am most days). I didn't realise that a lot of the buildings close at 5pm, my bad for not reading the info, and I arrived at 2pm so I was rushing trying to see everything in time. Would be nice for them to keep them open until at least 6pm.
- Don't chase the geese/wildlife (not a tip, but don't do it or let your kids do it like I saw today)
A H - 3 weeks ago
Directions
Tube Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
---|---|---|
District and Overground Lines | Kew Station | 8 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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Accommodations near Kew Gardens:
Photo Gallery
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Lake and Sackler Crossing in Kew Gardens Photo courtesy Kew Gardens -
Kew Palace in the Kew Gardens is the Smallest of the Royal Palaces -
The Great Pagoda from 1761 in Kew Gardens -
Photo Credit: Donnchadh H - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Croydon Clicker - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Croydon Clicker - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Croydon Clicker - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Croydon Clicker - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: IA Photography - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: IA Photography - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Donnchadh H - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Donnchadh H - cc license via Flickr