Visit Gardens Worldwide – Garden Travel Guide

Kew Temperate House, Interior, Kew Gardens, London, England Richmond, England: Kew Gardens, also known as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is one of the top botanical gardens in the world, and it houses the largest and most diverse botanical collections. The Kew Garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew cover over 300 acres and feature a wide range of plant collections, including glasshouses containing tropical and temperate plants. Kew Gardens, Temperate House, London England Whether you are planning a trip to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew or are just interested in seeing it from afar, this post will show a beautiful and fascinating place, with something for everyone to enjoy. A Garden Travel Guide is located at the end of the post to assist you in planning your trip to the Kew Gardens. The Must-See Attractions at Kew Botanic Gardens The Palm House Glimpse the magic of the rainforest in the Palm House. Built in the mid-1800s, it's a notable example of Victorian glass and iron architecture. The Palm House, Kew Gardens, London, England The glasshouse was an engineering and botanical wonder of its age. Building techniques were borrowed from the shipbuilding industry, which may be why the glasshouse looks like an upturned ship hull. Palm House, Kew Gardens, London, England The light, temperature, and humidity create the ideal conditions for the plants to thrive, but it feels a bit oppressive in the middle of the summer. Climb the stairs to circle the glasshouse and see the plant miracles below. Stairway in the Palm House, Kew Gardens, London, England The Waterlily House The small, square Waterlily glasshouse is next to the Palm House and is home to a collection of waterlilies and other aquatic plants. Specifically designed to showcase the giant Amazon waterlily (Victoria amazonica), the round pond spans over 33 feet (10 meters). Water Lily Glasshouse Interior, Kew Gardens, London England Notice the beautiful reflection in the water? Kew uses fish and dyes the water black to stop algae growth. No worries, it's a harmless food dye and makes for luminous reflections. The Waterlily House is home to a wide variety of waterlilies, including tropical and temperate species. The plants are displayed in pools and tanks and are surrounded by other aquatic plants, ferns, and mosses. Water Lily, Kew Gardens, London England Evolution Garden The Evolution Garden is the marriage of science and horticulture, represented as a tapestry of flowers. Rich in texture and color, the garden illustrates groundbreaking work in plant DNA classification. There are loads of flowers and lots of colors that create a visual extravaganza. Kew Gardens Evolution Garden, London, England The Kitchen Garden You may call it a kitchen garden, but Kew calls it Edible Science. The horticulturists at Kew grow heritage varieties of plants and experiment with crops that may be important food sources for the future as the climate changes. The Royal Kitchen Garden is a historic garden originally used to grow vegetables, herbs, and fruits for the royal family. Today, the garden bounty is used by the Kew restaurants. Kew Kitchen Garden, London, England Take a Break: The Botanical Brassier Does all that talk of food make you hungry? The Kew Gardens Botanical Brasserie near the Evolution Garden and across the lake from the Palm House provides upscale dining featuring modern British cuisine. Check the Travel Guide below for more details about dining at the Botanical Brasserie. The Botanical Brassier, Kew Gardens, London, England Princess of Wales Conservatory The Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew Gardens is a modern glass house built in 1987. It is named after the famous Kew patron, Diana, Princess of Wales. Princess of Wales Conservatory, Kew Gardens, London, England The Conservatory has ten sections, each devoted to a particular group of plants. As you wind your way through the Conservatory, there is a delight at every turn. The diversity of plants and displays is breathtaking. Plants at the Princess of Wales Conservatory, Kew Gardens, London, England The Rock Garden The Rock Garden at Kew was planted in 1882 and is one of the oldest in the world. It used to be flat as a bowling green, but after several restorations, it now resembles a meandering alpine valley surrounded by rocky elevations and cascading waterfalls. Rock Garden Waterfall, Kew Botanic Gardens, London, England This dramatic valley carved through the landscape is nearly an acre in size and filled with wild-collected plants from six mountainous regions of the world. Because most plants are grown from wild-collected seeds, the Rock Garden is an important resource for horticultural research. Rock Garden, Kew Botanic Gardens, London, England Alpine House The Alpine House is located right behind the Princess of Wales Conservatory. It uses leading-edge energy-efficient technology to cool the building and has won awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects. Kew Gardens Alpine House, London, England The specimens in the Alpine House are resilient plants adapted to the severe conditions of the Earth’s poles or mountaintops. Kew Alpine Garden London, England The Hive The Hive is one of the most photographed spots in the Kew Gardens. At a towering 55 feet (17 meters) tall, The Hive is an interactive installation driven by the activity of REAL BEES. One thousand LED lights glow, and a musical symphony responds to bee activity. The music is performed in the key of C – the preferred key of the buzzing of bees! The Hive, Kew Gardens, London, England An accelerometer picks up vibrations from the activity of a bee hive located behind the scenes at the Kew Gardens and sends those vibrations in real time to The Hive. Visitors inside The Hive experience the sights and sounds as they change in response to actual hive activity. The Hive, Kew Gardens, London, England The UK government commissioned the Hive as part of a project to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators. The Hive is appropriately located in a wildflower meadow. The Hive is spectacular at night! It comes to life with sound and hundreds of twinkling bulbs illuminating the dark sky. For visitors to the gardens, it's not normally possible to visit at night. Join Kew Horticulturist Richard Moore on a night-time walk around The Hive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKidY1-yaKU The Botanical Gardener Youtube video The Hive The Great Boardwalk Originally designed to be an impressive promenade from the Kew Palace to the Palm House, the borders of the Great Boardwalk were re-planted in 2016 and serve as home garden inspiration. At 1,050 feet long (320 meters), the borders dazzle with fragrant flowers and feathery grasses, punctuated along the way with topiaries. The path ends near the Kew Palace. Kew Gardens Great Boardwalk, London, England Take a Break: Orangery Near the end of the Great Boardwalk, take a coffee break or enjoy a light lunch on the outdoor terrace of the Orangery. See the Garden Travel Guide below for dining at the Orangery. The Orangery at Kew Gardens, London, England The Kew Palace The Kew Palace is the oldest building in the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew. Built as a country retreat for the royal family in the early 18th century, it became the royal residence. Kew Palace from the Back, Kew Gardens, London, England It is managed by Historic Royal Palaces, an independent charity that cares for royal homes in England. Kew Garden visitors will find the Palace closed during the winter. King George III and Queen Charlotte used Kew Palace as a summer retreat. Many happy years were spent here with their 15 children until mental illness ended the reign of King George in 1811. Portrait of King Charles III (1760-1820) Many might know the hit American historical romance show on Netflix, Bridgerton, and the spin-off, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, was set during the reign of King Charles III and Queen Charlotte. Portrait of Queen Charlotte( 1744-1818) The Queens Garden The Queen’s Garden highlights the plants and architectural styles of the 17th century, and most of the plants are species grown in the 1600s or earlier. There are two very different gardens: A sunken herb garden, and a formal parterre located behind the Kew Palace. Queens Garden, Kew Gardens, London, England The formal garden at Kew Palace is enclosed with box hedges and features a fountain at the center. Formal Garden Kew Palace, Kew Gardens, London, England Children's Garden I would love to show you pictures of the Children's Garden, but I can't. The Kew employees seated at the entrance wouldn't let me in. No one goes in if they don't have a child in the garden. Not even for a look around. I understand. It's a good policy for the children and parents. Through those gates are the Children's Garden featuring sections for Air, Earth, Sun, and Water along with a Gum Tree Walk and a Pine Tree Wilderness. The children sounded like they were having a lot of fun. Kew Children's Garden, London, England Take a Break: Family Kitchen & Shop A good lunch spot for the whole family located adjacent to the Children's Garden is the Family Kitchen & Shop. The Family Kitchen serves stone-baked pizza, salads, sandwiches, and ice cream. Check the Garden Travel Guide below for Family Kitchen details for hours, etc. Family Kitchen & Shop, Kew Gardens, London, England Treetop Walkway Moving on to a playground for all ages, the Treetop Walkway takes visitors 59 feet (18 meters) above the ground. Visitors can get a unique perspective of the gardens and see the plants and trees from above. Treetop Walk, Kew Gardens, London, England The Treetop Walkway is particularly beautiful in the spring and summer months when the trees are in full leaf, and the flowers are in bloom. Be aware that there are 118 steps up to the walkway, and the elevator may be out of service. Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway The Treetop Walkway was designed by engineer/artist John Jordan and built using sustainable materials and techniques. It's supported by poles designed to blend in with the surrounding trees. The Lake Bridge Another award-winning feature, the curving Lake Bridge has side rails that appear solid when viewed from afar. As the visitor approaches, the railings become a window to the water and landscape below. Kew Gardens Bridge Kew Gardens Bridge The Temperate House The Temperate House at Kew Gardens is located at the opposite end of the gardens from the Kew Palace. It was built in the late 1800s and is the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse in the world. Kew Gardens, Temperate House, London England It is more than twice the size of the Palm House, covering an astounding 16010 square feet (4,880 square meters), with 15,000 glass panes, and is 62 feet (19 meters) high at its tallest point. Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, Gardens Temperate House London England The Temperate House is a glasshouse heated and humidified to create the ideal conditions for some of the world’s rarest and most threatened plants in hopes of keeping them from extinction. The Great Pagoda Kew Gardens Great Pagoda, London, England The Great Pagoda towers above the garden. It was completed in 1762 as a gift for Princess Augusta to adorn her gardens. The Pagoda was designed by Sir William Chambers, who traveled and studied East Asian architecture. Restored to its 18th-century splendor, 80 dragons carved from gilded wood surround the Great Pagoda. Visitors may still climb the stairs to see a bird's eye view of London. The Great Pagoda is near the Temperate House and Pavilion Bar and Grill. Note that the Pagoda is closed during the winter season. Photo: Kew Gardens Pagoda Dragons, London, England The Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art is located next to the Marianne North Gallery. One is contemporary representing many artists and the other features one women's paintings from the 1800s. Take a Break: Pavilion Bar and Grill The Pavilion Bar and Grill serves up grilled burgers and Mediterranean-inspired food. Indoor seating and terrace seating are available. Check the Travel Guide for the Pavilion Bar and Grill details on hours, etc. Pavilion Bar and Grill, Kew Gardens, London, England Botanical Art Galleries Near the Kew Pavilion Bar and Grill are two amazing galleries to visit: the Marianne North Gallery and the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art. One is contemporary representing many artists and the other features one woman's paintings from Victorian times. Botanical illustration dates back to the 15th century when images of flowers communicated important culinary and medicinal uses of plants. The Galleries display and elevate the work to an art form. Marianne North Gallery Photo: Marianne North, Public Domain Marianne North (1830 – 1890) was a prolific English Victorian botanical artist. Defying convention, she traveled the world solo in the 1800s and painted captivating plants. Her paintings are on permanent display at the Kew Gardens and cleverly exhibited in geographical order to allow the visitor to follow her journey. The Marianne North Gallery, interior, Kew Gardens Photo: Painting of Nepenthes northiana by Marianne North, Public Domain North challenged the traditional Victorian way of painting only the plant, instead choosing to portray flowers in their natural settings. The Gallery closes before the gardens, so plan to see it early to mid-day. Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art Dr. Sherwood has collected contemporary botanical illustrations and championed their scientific and aesthetic merit for over 30 years. "Even if you don't like art, you will be blown away by the beauty and skill involved in these exquisite paintings." Trip Advisor Visitor Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art at the Kew Gardens, London, England, Creative Commons Her impressive collection contains over 1,000 pieces of art from 300+ artists representing 36 countries. The paintings and drawing honor the beauty of nature in exacting scientific detail. Dr. Shirley has a youtube channel where she endearingly discusses the botanical art she loves. The Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art also closes earlier than the garden, so if you visit, confirm operating times to avoid disappointment. Take a Break: Victoria Plaza Café After a day at the gardens, grab a coffee and a light snack before heading home. Indoor seating is available and conveniently located within the outstanding botanical-themed gift shop. The Victoria Plaza Café is near the Victoria Gate entrance. What Makes the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew Special? The Kew Gardens stand out among botanical gardens in its diverse collections of living plants. Kew Gardens is one of the world's largest and most important biological resources for scientific research. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew aim to help stop biodiversity loss and develop nature-based solutions to some of humanity’s most significant global challenges. Our mission at Kew Gardens is to understand and protect plants and fungi, for the wellbeing of people and the future of all life on Earth.Kew Gardens Website While the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew continue its essential work, we appreciate the privilege to visit the garden. Visitors Guide to Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, London, England Address: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom, About 30 minutes from Central London. How to Best Experience the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew Check the What's On section of the Kew Gardens website to find tours and special events happening at the garden. If you're interested in visiting Kew Gardens, you can purchase tickets online or at the gates. Book online at least 48 hours in advance to get the best price - see the details below under Kew Garden Tickets below. The Gardens are open daily, with extended hours in the summer months. The Garden has several excellent restaurants, cafes, and gift shops to plan your lunch around. See the Kew Gardens Restaurants below. Check closing times when planning your day to avoid missing out: Several attractions close earlier than the garden including the Glasshouses, Treetop Walkway, Galleries, Children's Garden, and the Pagoda. Some attractions close for the winter, including the Kew Palace and the Pagoda. How long does it take to walk through Kew Gardens? Allow at least half a day to explore the gardens, although you could easily spend an entire day or more if you wish to see everything. And if you are an avid garden visitor, one day will not be enough. Consider staying at a hotel within walking distance of the Kew Gardens. Kew Gardens Map Find the most up-to-date map of the Kew Gardens here. Kew Gardens Hours Opening and closing times are seasonal and vary throughout the year. Generally, the gardens open at 10:00 am and close between 3:00-6:00 pm. To determine the visiting hours for your visit date, check the Opening and Closing Times on the Kew Gardens Website. Kew Gardens Tickets Book online at least 48 hours in advance to get the best price. There are so many pricing tiers it's best to check the Tickets and Prices on the Kew Gardens website to determine the best price for you. Generally, admission ranges from £11.00 - £22.00 (about US$14 - $16) for Adults, £23.00 - £49.00 (about US$29 - $60) per family. Discounted and FREE tickets apply in certain circumstances. Please note Kew Gardens is not part of the National Trust. All National Trust members will need to pay general admission to visit. Public Transport to the Kew Kew Gardens is accessible by car, bus, train, or tube. Kew Guide to "Getting Here" By Bus: Route 65 stops close to Lion Gate, Elizabeth Gate, and Victoria Gate. Route 110 stops near Kew Gardens station and Elizabeth Gate. Routes 237 and 267 stop at Kew Bridge station. By Tube: Kew Gardens station is a pleasant 10-minute walk to/from the Victoria Gate entrance of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It is served by the District Line (Richmond branch) and London Overground. Please note that there is no level access from the westbound train platform. For level access, continue one stop to Richmond and take a tube back to use the eastbound platform, which does have level access. By train: The Kew Bridge station is about a 15-minute walk to the Kew Gardens Elizabeth Gate entrance. South West Trains run services from Waterloo via Vauxhall and Clapham Junction. Richmond station has a lift and level access. Take the 65 bus (in the direction of Ealing Broadway) to Lion or Victoria Gate. By Boat: Enjoy a ride down the Thames. Thames River Boats provide special service from Westminster Pier to Kew Pier. Your time at the Kew Gardens will be confined by a limited boat schedule. Check the Thames River Boats website for departure times. Parking at the Kew Gardens Parking at Kew is very limited, and public transportation is advised. A parking lot is located at Kew Ferry Lane close to the Brentford Gate entrance. There is an overflow parking lot on the weekends. Parking costs £7/day (about US$9). Pay on-site, or with the paybyphone app. There's no charge for motorcycles and mopeds. Don't park on Kew Road - it's not allowed. Check the Just Park app to find parking near Kew Gardens. Kew Gardens Pet Policy All recognized guide, assistance, or service dogs – including assistance dogs in training – are welcome in the Gardens. They should be recognizable, with a lead or harness that identifies them as working. Accessibility at Kew Gardens The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, offers an Accessibility Map on their website. The Gardens are mostly flat and have tarmac paths in many places. Additional aides for accessibility include wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and a Sensory Story Sack. Service dogs are welcome. See the Kew Gardens Website on Accessibility for complete information. Kew Gardens Restaurants There are five restaurants to choose from at the Kew Gardens. The Kew cafés and restaurants all source seasonal and local produce and use as many ingredients from the Gardens as possible. 1. Family Kitchen and Shop A good lunch spot for the whole family, serving stone-baked pizza, salads, sandwiches, and ice cream. Indoor seating is available. Open daily, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Hot Food: 11.30 am to 2.30 pm. Located by the Children's Garden. 2. Orangery Take a coffee break, enjoy a light lunch on the outdoor terrace, or sit inside. (Closed for refurbishment until late Spring 2023). Located near the Kew Palace. 3. Pavilion Bar and Grill Grilled burgers and Mediterranean-inspired food. Indoor seating and terrace seating are available. Open daily, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. (Last food orders 2:30 pm). Located near the Great Pagoda in the new Pavilion building. 4. The Botanical Brasserie Upscale dining featuring modern British cuisine is open for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. Advance booking is available on the Botanical Brasserie website. Indoor and outdoor terrace seating is available. Monday to Friday, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, Lunch: 12:00 pm to 2.30 pm, Weekends 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Afternoon Tea: 1:00 pm to 2.45 pm. Located across the lake from the Palm House. 5. Victoria Plaza Café Another good spot for a coffee break and a light snack. Indoor seating is available. Open daily, 10:00 am to 3:45 pm. Near the Victoria Gate main entrance. Bring Your Own Food Kew is a lovely place for a picnic and is allowed throughout the Gardens. Shopping at the Kew Gardens Plan time to shop at Kew Gardens. Trust me on this one. The shops are full of unique housewares, books, gift items, and plants. Do double-check the times below as hours will vary with the seasons. Family Kitchen & Shop Find garden-related books, toys, and plant kits for kids. This is a good lunch spot for the whole family, too. The gift shop is open daily, from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. Located by the Kew Palace. Galleries gift shop Shop for gifts inspired by the art collections at the Kew Gardens. Open daily, 10:00 am to 3:30 pm (last entry 3:00 pm). Located in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery. Near the Temperate House. Pavilion shop Shop for books and popular gift items. Open daily, 11:00 am to 3:30 pm. Located near the Great Pagoda in the new Pavilion building. Victoria Plaza Shop The Victoria Plaza is the main gift shop in the garden. It has a large selection of outdoor items, food and gifts, and books, too! Open daily, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (last entry 3:45 pm). Near the Victoria Gate main entrance. Shop Online Explore a wide collection of Kew botanical-inspired products available online. Kew Gardens Hotels The Coach & Horses A 2022 Travelers Choice Award winner, The Coach & Horses has 31 bespoke boutique bedrooms, allowing you to escape the ordinary, with each room inspired by the world-famous Kew Gardens. 8 Kew Green, Kew, Richmond-upon-Thames TW9 3BH England 0.4 Miles (about a 9-minute walk) to the Kew Gardens. Kew Gardens Hotel Many travelers make this their hotel of choice when visiting the Kew Gardens. Kew Gardens Hotel offers a charming setting with an array of amenities. It provides an ideal mix of value, comfort, and convenience. Ask for a room away from the Pub. 292-294 Sandycombe Road, Kew, Richmond-upon-Thames TW9 3NG England 0.3 (about a 5-minute walk) to the Kew Gardens Newens Original Maids of Honour This niche boutique hotel is situated above the historic Original Maids of Honour restaurant, and the rooms are designed for a quintessentially English experience. The three suites and apartments are ‘self-contained’ and part of the original family living quarters spanning the first floor of the original c1700s building. 288 Kew Road, Kew, Richmond-upon-Thames TW9 3DU England 0.2 Miles (about a 5-minute walk to Kew Gardens). Author's Note: The recommendations are not sponsored; they are my personal experience or researched suggestions. Other Gardens to Visit Explore the Magnificent Luxembourg Gardens or see The Most Enchanting Tahiti Garden. Luxembourg Palace and Gardens Paris Enchanting Tahiti Garden More Resources for Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew website. For a deeper dive into the individual gardens at Kew, take a walk with a former Kew horticulturist, Richard Moore, on his youtube channel while he discusses the fascinating history of the beautiful gardens surrounding it, the plants, and the garden structures.