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Unleash your Inner Botanist at Kew Gardens, London
Published by Alexandra E. Szydlowska, Writer
Country: United Kingdom 
The Experience
Explore Georgian palaces, Victorian glasshouses, manicured landscapes, and more than 250 years of history at Kew Gardens in London: the world's most famous botanic garden. Climb up into the treetops, delve deep into rainforest, or discover more on a guided tour.
Established in 1802 with the union of the Richmond and Kew estates, Kew Gardens grew from a private exotic garden into a national institution. Today its 300 acres of parkland is home to the world's largest collection of indoor plants, including some of the rarest specimens to be found.
Kew Gardens grows over 30,000 species in five glasshouses: the Palm House, Temperate House, Waterlily House, Alpine House, and the Princess of Wales Conservatory. Of these, the Palm House and the Temperate House are the most famous. The Palm House is the UK's oldest surviving Victorian glasshouse, while the Temperate House boasts the world's tallest indoor plant: a 16-metre Chilean wine palm.
As well as cultivating an impressive array of common, rare and exotic plants, Kew Gardens educates its visitors on the useful properties and cunning survival tactics of its inhabitants. Informative and kid-friendly signs point out quirky facts about the specimens on show, and explain how different plants have evolved to outwit the most challenging of habitats.
Although Kew Gardens is famous for its glasshouses, there are plenty of other activities on offer. The Xstrata Treetop Walkway is a great experience for those brave enough to climb 18 metres into the tree canopy; while the Marianne North Gallery is a must-see for art lovers. The walls of this newly refurbished gallery are packed floor-to-ceiling with intensely detailed oil paintings by the intrepid Victorian traveller Marianne North. She braved bogs and jungles to capture the flora and fauna of the Americas, India, South Africa and Australasia.
Kids are also well provided for with two play areas (both indoor and outdoor) featuring slides, tunnels, climbing nets and zip-wires. There's even a human-sized badger set for the little ones to explore.
After a long day strolling across Kew Gardens' tidy lawns and vast arboretum, visitors can bolster their appetite with fresh sandwiches and traditional cream teas from any one of four food venues. The Grade I-listed Orangery is a particularly pleasant spot to graze in, while the Victoria Plaza Shop (situated at the entrance) is an essential stop-off for anyone with green fingers and a love for floral patterns.
Established in 1802 with the union of the Richmond and Kew estates, Kew Gardens grew from a private exotic garden into a national institution. Today its 300 acres of parkland is home to the world's largest collection of indoor plants, including some of the rarest specimens to be found.
Kew Gardens grows over 30,000 species in five glasshouses: the Palm House, Temperate House, Waterlily House, Alpine House, and the Princess of Wales Conservatory. Of these, the Palm House and the Temperate House are the most famous. The Palm House is the UK's oldest surviving Victorian glasshouse, while the Temperate House boasts the world's tallest indoor plant: a 16-metre Chilean wine palm.
As well as cultivating an impressive array of common, rare and exotic plants, Kew Gardens educates its visitors on the useful properties and cunning survival tactics of its inhabitants. Informative and kid-friendly signs point out quirky facts about the specimens on show, and explain how different plants have evolved to outwit the most challenging of habitats.
Although Kew Gardens is famous for its glasshouses, there are plenty of other activities on offer. The Xstrata Treetop Walkway is a great experience for those brave enough to climb 18 metres into the tree canopy; while the Marianne North Gallery is a must-see for art lovers. The walls of this newly refurbished gallery are packed floor-to-ceiling with intensely detailed oil paintings by the intrepid Victorian traveller Marianne North. She braved bogs and jungles to capture the flora and fauna of the Americas, India, South Africa and Australasia.
Kids are also well provided for with two play areas (both indoor and outdoor) featuring slides, tunnels, climbing nets and zip-wires. There's even a human-sized badger set for the little ones to explore.
After a long day strolling across Kew Gardens' tidy lawns and vast arboretum, visitors can bolster their appetite with fresh sandwiches and traditional cream teas from any one of four food venues. The Grade I-listed Orangery is a particularly pleasant spot to graze in, while the Victoria Plaza Shop (situated at the entrance) is an essential stop-off for anyone with green fingers and a love for floral patterns.
When to Go to Kew Gardens
The best time of the year to visit Kew Gardens is during the summer months (March-Sept) when the gates stay open for longer and the flowers are in bloom. Come spring, over 5 million flowering bulbs emerge—one of the biggest displays of seasonal colour in the UK.
Kew Gardens is open each day from 9.30 a.m., with last entry at 3.45 p.m. (winter) or 5 p.m. (summer). The older sites often require refurbishment, so be sure to check the website for any temporary closures.
Kew Gardens is open each day from 9.30 a.m., with last entry at 3.45 p.m. (winter) or 5 p.m. (summer). The older sites often require refurbishment, so be sure to check the website for any temporary closures.
Odds n' Ends
Entry to Kew Gardens for adults is £13.90 (£11.90 conc.) while children and teenagers under the age of 17 go free.
Kew Gardens is home to one of Britain's royal palaces. Purchased by “Mad” King George III, Kew Palace was used as a summer residence by his children.
As well as growing the tallest indoor plant in the world, Temperate House shelters a rather lonely Encephalartos woodii, the only specimen ever found in the wild. Kew Gardens has one of the largest compost heaps in Europe, so famous that samples of it have been auctioned!
Scattered across the park are several ornamental structures. Watch out for a classical temple, a Japanese minka house, and the eye-catching Oriental pagoda. Save your legs with the Kew Explorer, a hop on and off train which makes covering all 300 acres of Kew Gardens effortless. This 40-minute tour visits eight stops and includes audio commentary.Tours run every hour from Victoria Plaza, located at the entrance to the gardens. Guided tours are free and run twice daily (11 a.m. and 2 p.m.). Your guide will walk you around the gardens, taking in the history of Kew Gardens, a glasshouse, and any seasonal highlights.
Kew Gardens is home to one of Britain's royal palaces. Purchased by “Mad” King George III, Kew Palace was used as a summer residence by his children.
As well as growing the tallest indoor plant in the world, Temperate House shelters a rather lonely Encephalartos woodii, the only specimen ever found in the wild. Kew Gardens has one of the largest compost heaps in Europe, so famous that samples of it have been auctioned!
Scattered across the park are several ornamental structures. Watch out for a classical temple, a Japanese minka house, and the eye-catching Oriental pagoda. Save your legs with the Kew Explorer, a hop on and off train which makes covering all 300 acres of Kew Gardens effortless. This 40-minute tour visits eight stops and includes audio commentary.Tours run every hour from Victoria Plaza, located at the entrance to the gardens. Guided tours are free and run twice daily (11 a.m. and 2 p.m.). Your guide will walk you around the gardens, taking in the history of Kew Gardens, a glasshouse, and any seasonal highlights.
Places to Eat
- The Glasshouse
- Dine on a sumptuous seasonal menu of wood pigeon with truffled egg, lamb rump with saffron couscous and a deeply satisfying pea and ham soup. A quick walk from Kew Gardens, this restaurant scores full points on freshness and quality.
Recommended Places to Stay
- The Coach and Horses
- This modern hotel strikes the right balance between rustic friendliness and contemporary elegance. Bed down in luxury-standard accommodation before chatting with the locals in the pub downstairs.
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
0 miles away
$89 GBP+
A wonderful 17th Century coaching Inn, but with all modern conveniences! We are excellently placed overlooking Kew Green, near Richmond. With only a 5-minute walk ... 1 miles away
$65 GBP+
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Books and DVDs
- A Year at Kew
- Each monthly chapter highlights what is in flower at Kew, what is being planted or removed, and what special activities are going on there, including seasonal festivals and exhibitions. A unique, behind-thescenes glimpse of one of the world’s horticultural treasures.
- The Gardens at Kew
- This gorgeous book, lavishly illustrated with 300 color photographs, is published to tie in with the anniversary of its foundation and celebrates Kew's remarkable history and influence. A feast for the eyes - and inspiration for your own backyard. -- Daily Mail
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