Plan Your Visit to Kew Gardens

About Essential Information

If you are a nature lover and are in London, then the world’s biggest and most varied collection of plants awaits you at the Kew Gardens. Located in southwest London, is the city’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of London’s most popular tourist hotspots. This world of science, which dates back to 1840, is home to more than 50,000 living plants brought in from all over the world. What's inside the Kew Gardens is the unique herbarium, which has millions of preserved fungal and plant specimens and is among the world’s largest collections. Visitors also get to explore the Kew Gardens library, which has more than 750,000 volumes, and over 175,000 prints and plant drawings.


Witness nature at its finest at the Princess of Wales Conservatory, which brings together ten of the world’s climatic zones. While the 59-foot-high Treetop Walkway offers bewitching views of the Gardens, the numerous glasshouses and zones are home to exotic plants and flowers that bloom all year long. Take a stroll as you witness more than 60,000 plants at the Great Broad Walk Borders and breathe in the enchanting scents of thousands of beautiful flowers.


There’s even a bit of the past living in the medieval-era Kew Palace and Palace Kitchens for the history enthusiasts. And if you need a break, head to the Orangery, Victoria Plaza Cafe, Pavilion Bar and Grill or other food outlets that promise a mesmerising dining experience for you and your loved ones. When you are done with your exploration, you can also shop for special Kew products like gardening equipment and natural beauty products that are unique to the Gardens at the numerous shops of Kew.

Know Before You Go To Kew Gardens

Essential Information
How To Reach
Facilities
Attractions Accessibility
  • Location: Kew Gardens is located in Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE.
  • Timings: Kew Gardens' timings are from 10 AM to 7 PM on weekdays, with the last entry at 6 PM. On weekends and bank holidays,Kew Gardens' timings are from 10 AM to 8 PM, with the last entry at 7 PM.


  • Best time to visit: After you book the Kew Garden tickets, it is best to visit Kew Gardens London is in the early morning hours. You would encounter fewer crowds and will get ample time to explore all the attractions on the premises. The plants are also in full bloom during these hours, which lets you witness them at their best.


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  • By Bike: If you want to know how to get to Kew Gardens by bike, then there are bicycle racks at the four gates of the Gardens. However, bicycles, tricycles, roller skates, skateboards, and scooters are not allowed inside the Gardens.


  • By Bus: Curious about how to get to Kew Gardens by bus? No worries, there are a few bus routes that stop at the Gardens’ various gates. Route 65 stops near Lion Gate, Victoria Gate, and Elizabeth Gate. While Route 110 stops close to Kew Gardens station and Elizabeth Gate, Routes 237 and 267 stop at Kew Bridge station.


  • By Tube: If the tube is your preferred mode of transport, here is how to get to Kew Gardens by it. Take the District Line or the London Overground, and hop off at the Kew Gardens station. The station is located 500 metres from Victoria Gate of Kew Gardens.


  • By Car: Turn on the GPS and it will tell you precise directions on how to get to Kew Gardens by car from your location. Also, note that parking at the Gardens is minimal and is available for those who ask for it first. Parking is available at Kew Gardens Car Park, Kew Green, and Richmond Athletic Grounds. Disabled access parking bays and drop-off area is at Elizabeth Gate.


  • By Boat: Visitors who wish to learn about how to get to Kew Gardens by boat can hop on the Thames River Boats that provide special services from Westminster Pier to Kew Pier. Sailing times from Westminster to Kew are from 11 AM and 2:30 PM, while those from Kew to Westminster are from 12:30 PM, 3:30 PM, and 5 PM.
  • Toilets: Unisex toilets have been provided within easy reach of all major Kew Gardens attractions. They can be found in Victoria Plaza, The Pond, Ruined Arch, Stable Yard, Kew Palace, Brentford Gate, White Peaks Café, Pavilion Bar and Grill, The Orangery, and the Botanical. The toilets are disabled-friendly and are attended to regularly. There are baby-changing facilities at all toilets except Stable Yard, while microwaves for warming milk bottles have been arranged for at White Peaks Café and The Orangery. There is also a special adult-changing facility at Brentford Gate.


  • Wheelchairs: Kew Gardens is an accessible space for specially-challenged visitors. A limited number of wheelchairs are available when asked for on arrival at the entry gates for you and your essential caregiver. You would need to book in advance to avail yourself of mobility scooters, which are available at Victoria and Brentford Gates. If you have a pavement-use mobility scooter limited to 4 mph, you are welcome to bring it along.


  • Shopping: Purchase a variety of Kew Gardens-inspired items after your memorable visit to the botanical paradise. The Family Kitchen and Shop is a brand-new space selling planting kits, toys, and books for curious children, while the Galleries Gift Shop at Shirley Sherwood Gallery has prints, gifts, and books inspired by Kew’s art collections. The Pavilion Shop and the Victoria Plaza Shop are perfect destinations for shopping for souvenirs like gift items, books, outdoor items, and lip-smacking food products. You can also shop from the Kew Online Shop and buy fantastic home décor, gardening gifts, and stationery.


  • Restaurants and Cafes: When you need a break from exploring Kew Gardens, head to the numerous restaurants and cafes offering mouth-watering delicacies. The Family Kitchen and Shop, near Children’s Garden, has stone-baked pizza, salad bar, and ice cream servery and is perfect for family day-outs. The Orangery serves toasties, burgers, and even Lebanese Barbeque on its terrace, while Pavilion Bar and Grill offers iconic al fresco dining with views of the Temperate House and the Pagoda. Enjoy quick breaks at The Botanical Brasserie and the Victoria Plaza Café with their afternoon tea and barista coffee with snacks. All eateries have level access, and picnics are allowed throughout the Kew Gardens premises.


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  • Glasshouses: Of the numerous glasshouses at Kew Gardens, the Temperate House and the Alpine House are accessible by wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The other glasshouses are, however, unfortunately inaccessible. Also, during the Orchids Festival, the Princess of Wales Conservatory is partially accessible for wheelchairs.
  • Galleries: Among the galleries of Kew Gardens, the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art is fully accessible by wheelchairs and also has a ramp at the entrance of the gallery. Another gallery with accessibility is the Marianne North Gallery, which can be accessed by a platform lift close to the Temperate House entrance. Marianne North can also accommodate larger electric wheelchairs as compared to Shirley Sherwood Gallery. These galleries are, however, not accessible for mobility scooters, and if needed, visitors can be provided with wheelchairs to use on arrival.
  • Historic Buildings: The historic Kew Palace is accessible for wheelchairs and offers assisted wheelchair access and an accessible lift. The narrow corridors and doorways of the historical structure permit only small wheelchairs, with mobility scooters not allowed in either Kew Palace or the Royal Kitchens. Recognized guide, service, and assistance dogs, even assistance dogs in training, are allowed in the Kew Palace and Royal Kitchens. The Palace also offers two wheelchairs for those who need them to visit the historical premises.

FAQs

How long should one spend inside Kew Gardens?

To fully explore the vast Kew Gardens, one would require a minimum of three hours. The premises of the Gardens are huge and visitors need to walk a lot to visit all the attractions in store here. It is highly recommended that you explore all there is on offer at the Kew Gardens, and be warned, as you might even end up spending an entire day here

What is the best time to visit Kew Gardens?

The best time to visit Kew Gardens London is in the early morning hours. You would encounter fewer crowds and will get ample time to explore all the attractions on the premises. You would also get to experience the plants during their best hours in the daylight. It is recommended that you visit during the spring and summer months from March to October when the flowers are in full bloom.

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Do we have to book in advance for Kew Gardens Tickets?

Kew Gardens London tickets can always be purchased at the walk-in ticket counters. However, it is highly recommended that you book your tickets in advance online to avoid the long queues. You will get the best value tickets online, and will also be able to book time slots as per your preference in advance

What is the minimum age required to book Kew Gardens Tickets?

Visitors of all age groups are welcome at Kew Gardens London. All those aged under sixteen need to be accompanied by adults at all times when inside the garden. Kew Gardens tickets are free of cost for children below the age of four. Those aged 16 to 24 get tickets at lower rates than older adults.

Are pets allowed inside Kew Gardens?

Registered disability assistance dogs are the only pet animals allowed inside the Kew Gardens. You would have to leave your pets at home while visiting Kew Gardens.

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