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 – 3:15 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 3:15 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 3:15 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 3:15 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 3:15 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 3:15 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:15 PM
Address: Richmond, UK
Phone: 020 8332 5655
Official Website: Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens Reviews
Rated
out of 5 Yesterday, I had the absolute pleasure of exploring the enchanting world of Kew Gardens in Richmond. The weather was a perfect canvas for the vibrant hues and fragrant scents that filled the air. As we strolled through the meticulously curated botanical wonderland, we couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder.
One of the highlights of my visit was undoubtedly the Treetop Walkway. As I ascended the towering structure, I was greeted with a breathtaking panoramic view of the gardens. The lush greenery stretched out before me, a tapestry of emerald hues that seemed to extend into infinity. The gentle rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds created a symphony of nature's sounds, lulling me into a state of tranquility.
I couldn't resist sharing my experience on Google, and I was delighted to discover a wealth of enthusiastic reviews from fellow visitors. One reviewer raved about the "stunning diversity of plant life," while another praised the "serene and peaceful atmosphere." I couldn't agree more!
Kew Gardens is truly a hidden gem, a place where the magic of nature unfolds before your eyes. If you're seeking a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life, I wholeheartedly recommend immersing yourself in this botanical paradise. You won't be disappointed!
Amitava Guha - 2 weeks ago
Beautiful gardens interesting buildings and well worth a visit , wonderfully historic and well looked after. Treetop walkway was amazing...Train takes you around the garden but you do pay a hefty £6.50 extra each, but you can hop on and off. Lovely shop and places to eat or have a coffee. I would definitely recommend a visit any time of year, and would visit again.
Gail Hill - a week ago
Nice walk, the production and special light effects were great. Kew gardens by night with the Christmas lights is really an experience ! So so happy I tried! The beginning is quite shy but the more you walk the more it becomes more elaborated. The lady show is incredible.
I'll be back next year.
Sophie Jourdain - a week ago
I really enjoyed my visit to the kew gardens. It's a pretty big place so be prepared to walk around. I would suggest buying tickets in advance, it is slightly cheaper to do it that way.
The map they provide is very useful, I followed that to tour the park.
It's very well maintained and has a very decent diversity of plants. There are some attractions to visit as well.
They have restrooms in some areas and there is a cafe near the entrance.
Over all it was a great experience and I would totally recommend going there.
maheen alam - in the last week
Went to Kew for the Christmas at Kew experience which was fantastic, highly recommend going! The walking trail is about 3km with plenty of stopping points for drinks and snacks! The light shows that lit up the greenhouses, and the water feature at the end were very well done and delivered a great experience. The Christmas at Kew experience is a great way to get some fresh air, get some tasty food, and watch a quality light show. I'd definitely come back again for this!
Daniel - in the last week
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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