Kew Gardens

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.