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.

Kew Gardens has multiple catering facilities located around the grounds to provide refreshments as you explore and the gift shop is the ideal place to pick up a perfect souvenir of your day in the Gardens.

Children's Garden

Children can explore a new garden specially designed for them! Within a natural setting the size of 40 tennis courts, the garden allows children to experience and explore all things that plants need to grow; earth, air, sun and water. Children can also take a stroll along the 4m high canopy walk wrapped around a 200-year-old oak in the heart of the Children's Garden.

Temperate House

The largest of Kew's glasshouses; the Temperate House took nearly 40 years to build, with it's final completion in 1899. It has recently undergone a five-year restoration and has been recently re-opened to the public.

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

• 28 October - 19 November: Closes at 4.15pm (last entry at 3.15pm)
• 20 November - 23 December: Closes at 3.30pm (last entry at 2.30pm)
• 24 December - 25 December: Closed all day
• 26 December - 5 January: Closes at 3.30pm (last entry at 2.30pm)
• 6 January - 31 January 2020: Closes at 4.15pm (last entry at 3.15pm)
• 1 February – 29 February 2020: Closes at 5pm (last entry 4pm)
• 1 March – 29 March 2020: Closes at 6pm (last entry 5pm) 
• Please note that the Hive will be closed for maintenance between the 6th of January and the 31st of March 2020
• 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

Please visit Kew’s website for opening times and attraction closures.

Children's Garden

Upon arriving at the Children's Garden, you will be allocated a 90-minute session. These sessions are allocated on a first-come first-served basis and are not pre-bookable. It is recommended to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

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 of Kew Gardens as well as help you identify exotic plants in the glasshouses. Available 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.

Please note that the Hive will be closed for maintenance between the 6th of January and the 31st of March 2020.