Kew Gardens
Richmond, North YorkshireAbout Kew Gardens
Discover a world of science and wonder with Kew Gardens' Royal Botanic Gardens. They have one of the world's largest and most diverse, incredible living plant collections! Kew Gardens' 300-acre botanical gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for nature lovers and those who love science! (It's home to 50'000 living plant collections!).
Are you ready to see the largest collection of plants, trees and fungi?
Things To Do At Kew Gardens
There's much to see, like the botanical garden collections, various plants, garden displays and many activities. How about visiting the Japanese Landscape, where you can discover the art of the garden with its beautiful nature and gravel gardens? Absorb the tranquil environment around you, visit the traditional tea garden and feel in unison with the plants and nature.
Take a walk through the dramatic valley holding a collection of wild plants from 6 mountainous regions around the world in the Rock Garden, originally constructed in 1882! Did you know that over 70% of the plants grown in the Rock Garden were from wild-collected seeds?
Learn incredibly fascinating facts about the nature around us, like there are over 12,000 species of grass globally! If you want to discover something truly remarkable, find the Palm House and explore a wilderness paradise of tropical plants, indoor rainforest and the most threatened environments in the world. Learn the plant names in the Royal Botanic Gardens, and explore the tropical botanical collections in the Palm House that you won't find here in the UK. Did you know rainforests only cover 2% of the world's surface but account for 50% of the world's species?!
Discover the Duke's Garden, a beautiful walled garden that flourishes with pretty flowers and creates a stunning walkway from May to June. End the day with an adventure into the high-altitude territory of the Davies Alpine House. Experience the harsh weather conditions and the cool, dry and windy environments that help alpine plants thrive - they're some of the most resilient plants in the world! Explore the historic landscape garden, find Kew Garden's Turner's Oak tree, and learn how the Great Storm in 1987 destroyed 15 million trees...but not this one.
There's even an 18-metre-high (59ft) treetop walkway to get a birds-eye view of the garden.
Then, discover the living collection at Kew Gardens, which sets a botanic garden apart from a standard garden. Its stunning plant collections are to be observed, researched, conserved, and used for education purposes. Admire the carnivorous plant collection, which includes five of the largest carnivorous genera! Kew Gardens has acres of woodland with deciduous and coniferous woody trees. Did you know that the Woodland Garden is designed to recreate the habitat of temperate mountains?
If you love aquatic environments, check out the aquatic collection to see water lilies, lotus, and more. But if you love flowers, you have to explore the Island Flora collection in an exotic garden with beautiful, colourful and stunning flowers to feast your eyes on. The exotic plants, colourful borders and even the Mediterranean Garden are sights to see. Whether you visit during the weekend, summer holidays or bank holidays - it's a floral paradise!
Don't forget to stop by the Kitchen Gardens, where you'll find a range of edible plants, including carrots, apples, pumpkins and chilli peppers! Kew Garden's scientists are also experimenting with more unusual crops in response to climate change! They grew a species of tomato that's much more resilient to changes in climate!) The Kitchen Garden also supplied food to the royal family during the Georgian Times.
No visit to Kew Gardens is complete without checking out Kew's beautiful glasshouses, including the world's largest Victorian Glasshouse and the iconic Temperate House! You'll also find botanical illustrations, The Ice House and more collection of plants than you've ever seen before.
Kew Palace
The smallest royal palace in the county, Kew Palace, is in Kew Gardens. For Bridgerton fans, this palace was once home to King George III and Queen Charlotte. Step into the Georgian Era as you explore the palace. See George III's library and anteroom and Queen Charlotte's bedroom and anteroom. (It now includes a wig from Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.) Definitely add this palace to your itinerary for the day!
Food & Drinks
You won't be short on food here. Their stone-baked pizza, salad, and sandwich bar will keep you satiated for hours. There is also a choice of hot food and even sweet treats like ice cream!
Seasonal Events
This wonderful family-friendly attraction hosts seasonal events throughout the year that teaches you about the importance and dependence on plants that animals and humans have. Like what will the future of food look like if humans continue to destroy plant life? As a UNESCO World Heritage site full of walled gardens, exotic gardens, a spectacular oak tree, and more, it's a place to tick off your list.
Step back in time, immerse yourself in history and explore the world of plant biodiversity at Kew Gardens!
Why We Recommend Kew Botanical Gardens
Kew Gardens London is a fantastic family destination and kids day out, blending education, exploration, and outdoor fun in a stunning natural setting. There are over 300 acres to explore, where families can enjoy strolls through beautifully landscaped gardens and discover a diverse range of plants and flowers from around the world - like the Japanese Garden!
Kids will love the interactive Children's Garden, which is designed to encourage hands-on learning about nature, and the thrilling Treetop Walkway, where they can explore the canopy from 18 metres above ground. Whether it's learning about exotic plants or simply enjoying the fresh air, Kew Gardens offers a memorable day for families looking to connect with nature.
"Kew Gardens is a fantastic place to spend a day out with family. The beautifully maintained gardens feature an impressive variety of plants from all over the world." - Constantin
Visit The Temperate House
As the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world, the Temperate House is home to an incredible collection of rare and threatened plants from Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
Families can explore this magnificent structure and learn about the diverse plant species that play a crucial role in our ecosystem.
Discover New Heights On the Treetop Walkway
Offering a unique perspective of the gardens, the Treetop Walkway takes visitors 18 metres above ground for a thrilling view of the forest canopy.
Families can enjoy a walk among the treetops, observing birds, insects, and plants from a whole new angle while experiencing the excitement of being up in the air.
Explore The Children's Garden
Designed for children aged 2 to 12, the Children's Garden is a magical space where kids can play, explore, and learn about nature through interactive features. With giant treehouses, a canopy walk, water play zones, and plenty of hands-on activities, it’s the perfect place for young explorers to burn off energy while discovering the wonders of the natural world!
Facilities
- Toilets
- Gift Shop
- Onsite Parking
- Accessible Toilets
- Baby Changing
- Food Available
- Wheelchair Friendly
- Pushchair Friendly
- Wheelchair Hire
Opening Times
1 April to 30 April 2024
Daily, 10 am to 7 pm (last entry 6 pm)
1 May to 31 August 2024
Weekdays, 10 am to 7 pm (last entry 6 pm)
Weekends and Bank Holidays, 10 am to 8 pm (last entry 7 pm)
(Gardens close at 5 pm from 8 – 14 July)
(Gardens close at 4 pm on Thursday 1 August)
1 September to 30 September 2024
Daily, 10 am to 7 pm (last entry 6 pm)
(Gardens open at 11 am on Sunday 15 September)
1 October to 26 October 2024
Daily, 10 am to 6 pm (last entry 5 pm)
27 October 2024
Daily, 10 am to 5 pm (last entry 4 pm)
28 October to 11 November 2024
Daily, 10 am to 4 pm (last entry 3 pm)
12 November 2024 to 5 January 2025
Daily, 10 am to 3.15 pm (last entry 2.30 pm)
Opening times may vary, please see website for more details.
Pricing & Tickets
- Child (4-15) : £5.00
- Adult (18+-18+) : £20.00
Adult
1st February to 31st October
From £20.00 (peak)
1st November to 31st January
From £12.00 (off-peak)
Child
1st February to 31st October
From £5.00 (peak)
1st November to 31st January
From £4.00 (off-peak)
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Plan Your Visit
Typical visit time 3 - 4 hours
Suitable for Kids and Adults too
Food & Drink Options
Victoria Plaza Café
Coffee, cakes, sandwiches, and snacks. Perfect for a coffee break throughout the day.
The Botanical Brasserie
All-day formal dining with modern British cuisine. From breakfast, and lunch to afternoon tea.
Choose from a full English breakfast, avocado on toast, roasted cauliflower, mushroom risotto, chicken breast, fillet of seabass, soups, salads are more. You'll also find poached pear, chocolate mousse, rhubarb cheesecake and gelato for dessert. Plus classic, cream tea and vegetarian afternoon tea!
Pavilion Bar and Grill
Burgers and Mediterranean-inspired dishes grilled on charcoal or smoked over wood.
Choose from tofu kebabs, plant burgers, cheeseburgers, fish and chips, chicken Caesar salad and a range of smaller plates. Looking for something sweet? They offer warm jaffa cookies, knickerbocker glory and gelato.
Orangery
Coffee, cakes, and light meals. Best spot for a more informal lunch or coffee break.
Choose from salad bowls, sausage rolls, spinach rolls, vegetable tarts, scotch eggs and your very own build-a-salad!
Family Kitchen & Shop
A food hall with stone-baked pizza, salad and sandwich bar, hot counter and ice cream service.
Choose from Margherita, Hawaiian, Pepperoni pizzas and more. They also have a range of cheese rolls, sausage rolls, toasties and quiches. Fancy a hot meal? You'll find vegetable curry, cauliflower nuggets, buttermilk chicken sliders, vegetable lasagna and fish goujons alongside a range of classic sides.
The Agave Bar pop up
Offers a selection of gourmet tacos and refreshing mocktails/cocktails.
FAQs
Parking
Toilets
Family Friendly Options
Food & Drink
Accessibility Information
Tickets & Bookings
Private Hire & Birthday Parties
Public Transport
Contact Details
Royal Botanic Gardens
The Herbarium
Kew Green
Richmond
North Yorkshire
TW9 3AE
England
Tel: 01444894066
Visit WebsiteTransport Information
By Bus
Route 65 stops close to Lion Gate, Elizabeth Gate and Victoria Gate.
Route 110 stops near Kew Gardens station and Elizabeth Gate.
Routes 237 and 267 stop at Kew Bridge station.
By Train
Kew Bridge station is 800m from Elizabeth Gate, via Kew Bridge. South West Trains run services from Waterloo, via Vauxhall and Clapham Junction. There is no level access at Kew Bridge.
Richmond station has a lift and level access. Take the 65 bus (in the direction of Ealing Broadway) to Lion or Victoria Gate.
By Tube
Kew Gardens station is 500m from Victoria Gate. It is in Zone 3 and is served by the District Line (Richmond branch) and London Overground.
There is no level access from the westbound platform. It is possible to continue to Richmond and catch a tube back to use the eastbound platform which does have level access.
By Car
Please note: Parking at Kew is extremely limited and spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Kew Gardens is not located within London’s Congestion Zone. It is included in the ULEZ.
By Boat
Thames River Boats operates a special service from Westminster Pier to Kew Pier.
The easiest entrance for visitors coming from Kew Pier is Elizabeth Gate (postcode TW9 3AB). Elizabeth Gate is a 0.2-mile walk from Kew Pier across Kew Green.
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Last Updated: 14:59 02/08/2024
Kew Gardens Reviews
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