Kew Gardens Tickets London

Kew Gardens: a UNESCO World Heritage botanic garden

Kew Gardens, officially the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, has grown since 1759 into one of the most important botanic gardens in the world. It covers about 326 acres beside the River Thames and holds one of the largest and most diverse collections of living plants in the world. In 2003 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It is easy to reach: Kew Gardens station is on the District line and the London Overground, and the journey takes roughly 30 minutes from central London. Many visitors search for Kew Gardens tickets and how to get there, and this ticket gives one-day access with entry at the gates.

The Palm House, the Waterlily House and the glasshouses

The Palm House, built in the 1840s, is a curved Victorian glass and iron structure that shelters a warm rainforest of tall palms. The Waterlily House displays giant lily pads, and the Princess of Wales Conservatory takes you through ten climate zones, from tropical rainforest to dry desert, under one roof.

These glasshouses are the main answer to the question of whether Kew is worth visiting in cold or wet weather, because they stay warm and green all year. Allow around two hours for the main glasshouses, then add time for the gardens outdoors.

The Treetop Walkway, the Hive and the Arboretum

The Treetop Walkway lifts you about 18 metres above the ground for a bird's-eye view of the tree canopy. Nearby, The Hive is a 17-metre-tall structure built from about 170,000 aluminium parts and 1,000 LED lights, designed to mimic the sights and sounds of a real beehive and to teach how bees keep the planet healthy.

The Arboretum, with over 14,000 trees, makes for a calm walk that fits spring blossom, summer shade or autumn colour. The best time to visit Kew depends on what you like: spring for blossom, summer for full gardens and autumn for colour.

Kew Palace and planning your visit

Kew Palace, the smallest of the royal palaces, offers a look into royal life, with the bedrooms of princesses, a small dining room and the restored Georgian kitchens. Kew Palace is closed during winter, so check before you go if it is a priority.

Your ticket has to be booked at least 2 days before the visit. Gardens are open on most days, but Kew is closed on 24 and 25 December, opening hours change by season, and last admission is one hour before closing. The Explorer train and food are not included.