Kew Gardens

The basics

Accessible via hop-on hop-off bus, the botanical gardens at Kew make for an excellent day-out destination. Entrance tickets to Kew Gardens allow visitors to explore the park’s many attractions independently or via an optional guided walking tour. Step into The Hive, a multi-sensory sculpture designed to demonstrate the extraordinary life of bees; traverse a 60-foot-high (18-meter) treetop walkway; explore plants from 10 climate zones in the Princess of Wales Conservatory; and stroll through the arboretum, a living library of over 14,000 trees. The London Pass offers entrance to Kew Gardens along with a hop-on hop-off bus tour of other local attractions, such as Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London.

Things to know before you go

• Visitor facilities include five cafés and restaurants, three souvenir shops, restrooms, and picnic areas.

• The Kew Explorer land train leaves hourly from Victoria Gate Plaza and takes visitors on a full tour of the gardens in 40 minutes.

• Bikes, scooters, skateboards, and rollerblades are prohibited throughout the park.

• Kew Gardens is a protected area, so kids should not climb trees, play ball games, or pick flowers.

• Free Wi-Fi is available on-site.

• Kew Gardens is accessible to wheelchairs and mobility scooters (although certain attractions may be off-limits), and concession tickets are available.

How to get there

Kew Gardens is located in Richmond, roughly 8 miles (30 kilometers) from central London, a journey of about 30 minutes by road or 25 minutes by London Underground. The closest tube station is Kew Bridge Station on the District line, which is a short walk from the Elizabeth Gate at the park’s eastern border. You can also walk to the Lion Gate (southwest corner) from Richmond Station or the Victoria Gate (southern border) from Kew Gardens Station.

When to get there

Kew Gardens is open year-round and the wide variety of seasonal plants and flowers make it worth visiting at different times of the year. The gardens are busiest from July through August, so plan to arrive early to avoid crowds. Early to mid-spring is a good time to see colorful flowers, while wintertime makes it easy to time your visit to coincide with one of the site’s many special holiday events.

Seasonal events at Kew Gardens

Kew hosts special seasonal events and festivals year-round, as well as daily guided walking tours and a range of special exhibitions and art displays. Highlights include the month-long Christmas at Kew celebration, which includes an illuminated night trail; Kew the Music live music concerts in summer; the spring Orchids Festival; and Halloween pumpkin patches.

Ways to explore

Kew Gardens is a popular London attraction, so booking tickets in advance is recommended. Independent visitors can use a self-guided audio tour via smartphone, while guided tours help cover highlights across the vast grounds. Key sights include The Hive, a multi-sensory installation about bees; a treetop walkway, which snakes 60 feet (18 meters) above ground; the Princess of Wales Conservatory, housing plants from 10 climate zones; and an arboretum, home to over 11,000 trees. Admission is also included with the London Pass, which covers entry to more than 100 top attractions, including Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London.

Accessibility

The gardens are mostly flat with tarmac paths, there are accessible restrooms, and an accessibility map is available.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Reusable water bottle, camera

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes, light jacket, hat in summer

Not allowed

Bikes, drones, littering, damaging or picking any plants

Amenities

Cafés, restaurants, restrooms, gift shop

Address

Kew Gardens is in Richmond, about 8 miles (13 kilometers) from central London. It takes roughly 25–30 minutes to reach by road or tube, and many visitors opt for guided tours for convenience. The gardens have four entry points: Victoria Gate, Elizabeth Gate, Brentford Gate, and Lion Gate.

Driving

From central London, it takes around 40 minutes to drive from King’s Cross to Kew via the A40, depending on traffic. However, the gardens encourage people to use public transport, as parking in the area is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Public transportation

The closest tube station is Kew Gardens on the District line, just a short walk from Elizabeth Gate. Kew Bridge, served by mainline trains, is a 10-minute walk from Elizabeth Gate. You can also take bus 65 from Ealing Broadway or Richmond.

Best times to visit

Come in the morning when Kew Gardens opens, typically around 10am, to avoid the peak afternoon crowds.

Best days to visit

If you can, avoid weekends and come on a weekday, such as Tuesdays through Thursdays, for a more relaxed experience with lower crowd numbers.

Best months to visit

Spring (late March to May) is a great time to visit Kew Gardens, when daffodils, bluebells, rhododendrons, and wisteria are in bloom. The summer months of July and August are busiest but full of color.

Special events

Kew Gardens hosts events year-round, from the summer Kew the Music concerts in July to Christmas at Kew, which features light displays, festive food, and a winter garden trail.