9.1
Wildland
Full day
Time
Paid
Cost
Grand
Feel
Why it's Wildland
9.1Founded in 1759 by Princess Augusta, Kew grew into a world-renowned botanical garden. Its living plant collections sit among historic landscapes and landmark glasshouses, including the Victorian Palm House.
Kew is far more than a display of flowers: a huge, varied living collection is woven through historic gardens, striking glasshouses and distinctive architecture. It rewards an unhurried visit, with enough to explore across the seasons and indoors when the weather turns.
Grand · Atmospheric · Family-buzz
Find your way
Open mapRichmond, London
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The experience
Plan around a few contrasting highlights rather than trying to cover everything. Pair a landmark glasshouse with a walk through the gardens, and leave room to follow your interest in the plants, views or historic structures. Kew is extensive enough to merit a full day.
Things to do
Explore a landmark glasshouse
Visit a glasshouse such as the Palm House, Temperate House or Princess of Wales Conservatory to see plant collections under glass.
Allow time to explore; check current visitor information
Walk among the outdoor plant collections
Explore the garden’s living collections beyond the glasshouses; Kew describes collections growing in the landscape as well as in its glasshouses and nurseries.
Look for the Great Pagoda and Treetop Walkway
Add these named landmarks to your visit, checking current access and any operational information before you go.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 2–3 hours
Quick Kew highlights
- 01
Choose one major glasshouse as your focus, such as the Palm House or Temperate House.
- 02
Continue through the surrounding gardens and make time for a second signature feature if the route and opening arrangements allow.
- 03
Check current entry, opening times and any planned closures before travelling.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it
- 01
Start with a glasshouse, choosing from Kew’s named highlights such as the Palm House, Temperate House or Princess of Wales Conservatory.
- 02
Explore the gardens and outdoor living collections at a relaxed pace.
- 03
Pause for food or a drink at one of Kew’s cafés or restaurants; check current opening and food options.
Full Wildland day · Full day
A full day among gardens and glasshouses
- 01
Plan a longer visit so you can explore several parts of the Gardens rather than rushing between highlights.
- 02
Combine a glasshouse visit with time among the outdoor plant collections and historic garden landmarks, including the Great Pagoda or Treetop Walkway.
- 03
Take a break at a Kew café or restaurant, then use the remaining time to revisit the collection or landscape that most caught your interest.
- 04
Check the official site for current opening times, tickets, closures and any events before setting out.
Verified history
Kew was established in 1759 by Princess Augusta, mother of King George III. The Palm House, one of its best-known Victorian glasshouses, was built in 1844. Kew became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. Its history is also connected to imperial-era plant collecting; the supplied account notes the role of botanists and explorers in documenting species around the world.
Hidden details
Look beyond the Palm House — The Temperate House and Princess of Wales Conservatory are also among the named glasshouse highlights; make time for more than the best-known building.
Notice Kew’s global plant story — The collections are not confined to glasshouses: Kew describes living plants growing in the landscape and in its nurseries as well.
When to go
· Check current opening hours and plan enough time to explore; the supplied official visitor information lists daily opening and a last-entry time before closing.
The supplied sources describe substantial outdoor collections as well as glasshouses, making Kew a year-round visit, but do not establish specific peak months.
Check the forecast and Kew’s visitor information before travelling. Glasshouses provide indoor places to explore, but no weather-specific advice is established by the supplied sources.
What to look for
- 01
Compare the tropical planting of the Palm House with the Temperate House
- 02
look for the Great Pagoda and Treetop Walkway among the garden’s landmarks. Kew’s plant collections extend outdoors as well as through its glasshouses and nurseries.
The story
Botanical history, royal patronage, Victorian glasshouse architecture and the history of global plant collecting.
Best time to go
Year-round; the gardens and glasshouses offer different things to explore through the seasons.
Allow a generous visit and check the day’s opening and closing times before setting out. The official visitor page lists daily opening, with last entry before closing; hours can change.
How long to spend
Full day
Perfect for
Families · Photographers · Wildlife lovers · Walkers · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 10am-6pm
- Tuesday: 10am-6pm
- Wednesday: 10am-6pm
- Thursday: 10am-6pm
- Friday: 10am-6pm
- Saturday: 10am-6pm
- Sunday: 10am-6pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A public botanic garden with paid entry. Kew advises booking tickets online; check its official site for current prices, opening times, closures and entry arrangements.
Check before visiting
Parking
Parking is limited. Kew can be reached by rail, bus or river; check the official directions for current travel information.
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Toilets
Toilets and other facilities are available across the Gardens; check the official facilities page for details and locations.
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Food & drink
Kew has cafés and restaurants, with takeaway, indoor and outdoor seating. Check the official site for current options.
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Dogs
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
Kew welcomes visitors with disabilities. The source row also reports wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating and toilet; check Kew’s accessibility information for route-specific details.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
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1.2 km away
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Church Walk, Richmond, London TW9 1SN
2.1 km away
