Kew Gardens: Entry Ticket
A breath of fresh air in one of the world's largest botanical gardens
- Kew Gardens: Entry Ticket
- Admission to the Orchid Festival (from February to March)
- Admission to Kew Palace (closed in winter)
- Access to the temporary exhibitions
- Access to the art galleries (Marianne North and Shirley Sherwood), greenhouses and the Treetop Walkway
- Map and guide to the highlights of the season
Kew Gardens Tickets and Information
- Kew Gardens Address: Richmond, TW9 3AB, London
- Opening Hours: Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 19:00. Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 - 20:00
Is Kew Gardens Worth Visiting
- We definitely think so, yes!
- It’s one of the largest botanical gardens in the world and one of our bestsellers!
What you will see on a visit to Kew Gardens
- Rare plants
- Glasshouses
- Art Galleries
- Just under 300 acres to explore!
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About Kew Gardens in London
Commonly referred to as Kew Gardens, but its official name is the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is a world-renowned botanical garden in southwest London.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site covers just under 300 acres or around 151 hectares and is made up of gardens, art galleries, Kew Palace, glasshouses, a tree top walkway and lots of open space for families to walk around and enjoy.
Kew Gardens dates back to the 18th century when it was founded as a private garden by Princess Augusta, the mother of King George III. It was later expanded and developed by subsequent monarchs and became a significant centre for botanical research and plant conservation.
The gardens are home to an extensive collection of plants from all over the world, making it one of the most diverse botanical gardens globally and the collection includes over 50,000 living plants, as well as millions of preserved plant specimens and a vast library of botanical literature.
Kew Gardens are also home to several notable landmarks and attractions which include:
- The Palm House, which is a Victorian-era glasshouse that houses tropical plants.
- The Temperate House, which is the largest surviving Victorian glass house structure.
- The Princess of Wales Conservatory, which is home to plants from different climates and environments.
- The Kew Pagoda, the iconic striking Chinese-style pagoda that was originally built in the 18th century.
Kew Gardens plays a vital role in plant conservation efforts worldwide and it houses the Millennium Seed Bank, a project aimed at conserving seeds from around the globe to safeguard against extinction. Kew scientists conduct research on plant biodiversity, ecology, and genetics to support conservation initiatives.
Kew Gardens was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2003, along with its sister garden, Wakehurst Place, in recognition of its cultural and scientific significance!
A great place to visit as a family as it offers a fun day out and great way to entertain the kids!
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Kew Gardens FAQs
- Is Kew Gardens part of the National Trust and can I use my pass to enter for free?
- No, Kew Gardens isn't included on National Trust Passes. You do need to purchase a ticket.
- Does Kew Gardens have a car park?
- Yes, there is a car park available on Ferry Lane. The car park does charge.
- Can I take my dog to Kew Gardens?
- Only registered disability dogs are allowed at Kew Gardens.
- Can I ride through Kew Gardens?
- Bike's are not allowed at Kew Gardens.
- How long does it take to explore Kew Gardens?
- This is entirely up to you, but we would suggest spending at least a few hours there, enjoying it.
- How do I get into Kew Gardens?
- You can access Kew Gardens from any of the 4 entrances, Victoria Gate (TW9 3JR), Elizabeth Gate (TW9 3AB), Brentford Gate (TW9 3AF) and Lion Gate (TW9 2DF).
Kew Gardens Fun Facts
- Home to the Largest Victorian Glasshouse: The Temperate House at Kew is the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world! It covers over 4,880 square metres and houses 10,000 plants, many of which are rare or endangered!
- Kew's Seed Bank Project: Kew Gardens is home to the Millennium Seed Bank, the largest ex-situ plant conservation program on Earth. They aim to collect and preserve seeds from 25% of the world’s plant species by 2025 to protect biodiversity.
- Oldest Potted Plant in the World: The gardens contain a nearly 250-year-old cycad plant called ‘Encephalartos altensteinii’, which was brought to Kew in 1775 and is considered the oldest potted plant in the world!
- World’s Largest Collection of Living Plants: Kew boasts over 50,000 living plants, making it the largest collection of living plants globally. They work to research, protect, and display rare species from all over the planet.
- The Historic Palm House: Built in the 1840s, the Palm House was the first large-scale greenhouse of its kind, designed to replicate a tropical rainforest!
- The Great Pagoda: Kew Gardens has a 163-foot-tall, ten-story Great Pagoda which was built in 1762. During World War II, the British military reportedly used it for bomb-testing experiments!
- A World-Class Herbarium and Fungarium: Kew is also known for its Herbarium which houses over 8 million preserved plant specimens, and its Fungarium, with over 1.25 million fungal samples. They’re invaluable for botanical research and conservation efforts.
- Kew’s Role in Chocolate: Kew Gardens played a major role in the early chocolate trade, studying the cacao plant and how best to cultivate it. Their research helped increase chocolate’s popularity in Europe!
Useful Information About Kew Gardens
Tips for visiting
- Book Tickets Online: Kew Gardens can get very busy and that means queues can form at the ticket office. We suggest you book tickets online as it helps to avoid queues should they form.
- Visit the Glasshouses: The famous glasshouses at Kew Gardens should definitely not be missed. They are full of exotic plants from different areas of the world and a great place to visit.
- Various Seasons: Kew Gardens is open year-round but the experience will differ depending on time of year. For example, summer is full of flowers blooming and different colours. While autumn and winter offers winter beauty.
- Treetop Walkway: If you enjoy heights and amazing views - consider doing the treetop walkway!
How to get there
- Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9 3AB, London
Opening Hours
- Monday: 10:00 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 10:00 - 18:00
- Wednesday: 10:00 - 18:00
- Thursday: 10:00 - 18:00
- Friday: 10:00 - 18:00
- Saturday: 10:00 - 18:00
- Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00
