Kew Gardens, London

Kew Gardens stretches across 326 acres of groomed gardens, and offers a fascinating insight into the natural world through its enormous collection of plants and botanical art. Today it is home to the largest and most diverse collection of living plants and fungi anywhere in the world.

There’s more than 250 years of royal history to be discovered at Kew Gardens too, with highlights including Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, the Great Pagoda and of course Kew Palace. If you want to brush up your culture, why not visit Kew's two remarkable art galleries, The Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art and the Marianne North Gallery.

The two cafés and two restaurants located around the grounds of Kew Gardens are available for refreshments as you explore, and the two gift shops are sure to have a suitable souvenir.

New at Kew!

Here Be Dragons

From 1 April 2018 Kew Palace will be hosting Here Be Dragons, an exhibition aimed at younger visitors. Children will be able to explore the subject dragons and 'dragonologists', and take part in a trail around the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Temperate House

The largest of Kew's glasshouses, Temperate House, took nearly 40 years to complete, finally being finished in 1899. It has recently undergone a five-year restoration and will re-open to the public in May 2018.

When you book, you will be emailed an e-Voucher. Print it out and bring it with you when you visit Kew Gardens. You need to exchange your e-Voucher for a ticket at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE.

Opening times

• March 2018 - 30 April 2018: 10am-7pm (last entry 6pm)
• 1 May 2018-31 August 2018: Monday to Thursday: 10am-7pm (last entry 6pm) and Friday to Sunday and bank holidays: 10am-8pm (last entry 7pm). Except 10-15 July 2018 when gates close at 5pm (last entry 4pm)
• 1-30 September 2018: 10am-7pm (last entry 6pm)
• 1-27 October 2018: 10am-6pm (last entry 5pm)
• 28 October-20 November 2018: 10am-4pm (last entry 3pm)
• 21 November 2018-1 January 2019: 10am-3.30pm (last entry 3pm)
• 2-31 January 2019: 10am-4pm (last entry 3pm)
• February 2019: 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm)
• March 2019: 10am-6pm (last entry 5pm)
• Closing times change throughout the year and may vary from week to week to accommodate seasonal changes and events in the gardens.
• The Treetop Walkway, Climbers and Creepers and Glasshouse attractions close one hour before standard closing times 
• Kew Gardens is closed 24 - 25 December

How to get there

• Nearest underground station: Kew Gardens (District Line)

Accessibility information

• No dogs 
• No bikes
• Wheelchair accessible (wheelchairs available at Kew Gardens)

Free Walking tour

Explore Kew with an experienced guide who will give you an insight into the history and work, identify exotic plants in the glasshouses. Daily at 11am and 1.30pm.

Meet at the Guides' desk, Victoria Gate Plaza, 15 minutes for the start time.

The Hive is the most popular installation at Kew Gardens and a fully immersive, interactive aluminium and steel structure designed by Wolfgang Buttress.

It was conceived to highlight the plight of the honeybee and to underline the vital role that bees play in pollinating the world's crop species. 17 metres high, it is connected to a real beehive in the non-public area of the gardens. Microchips inside the beehive detect the bees' movement, which in turn activates a light and soundscape in The Hive itself.