Public travel plan
A Flexible Full-Day Guide to Kew Gardens
Allow a full day to explore, but keep your plans flexible: Kew covers about 320 acres, comprises multiple gardens and may be difficult to see in its entirety in one day. The gardens date to 1759 and are a UNESCO World H…
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Useful context before you go
Allow a full day to explore, but keep your plans flexible: Kew covers about 320 acres, comprises multiple gardens and may be difficult to see in its entirety in one day. The gardens date to 1759 and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with more than 50,000 types of plants and trees. Check current opening hours and access to individual buildings before setting out. This is a suggested visit plan, not a reconstruction of an exact daily schedule.
Itinerary highlights
What is in this plan
Suggested full day: Kew’s glasshouses, royal sites and tree canopy
Kew is a collection of gardens rather than one single garden. Prioritize the areas you most want to see, leave room to explore between them, and plan around the Hive’s 5 p.m. closing time. This is a flexible guide, not a fixed route.
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Kew GardensRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London, United Kingdom
Kew comprises multiple gardens and began in 1759. Its roughly 320 acres can be difficult to cover in a single day, so choose a few priorities and allow time to explore between them.
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Princess of Wales ConservatoryPrincess of Wales Conservatory, Kew Gardens, Richmond, London, United Kingdom
Explore the climate-controlled rooms, where different conditions suit different plant groups. Displays include a giant Amazonian water lily, whose leaf can grow to around three metres, plus Venus flytraps and pitcher plants. The rainforest rooms are warm and humid.
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Davies Alpine HouseDavies Alpine House, Kew Gardens, Richmond, London, United Kingdom
This glasshouse displays miniature plants from the Alps. A time capsule buried beneath one of Kew’s glasshouses in 1985 contains rare plant seeds and is intended to remain sealed until 2085; its exact location is not identified.
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Pagoda TreePagoda Tree, Kew Gardens, Richmond, London, United Kingdom
The Pagoda Tree is about 250 years old. Much of it is dead, though one lower branch is still alive.
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Kew PalaceKew Palace, Kew Gardens, Richmond, London, United Kingdom
Visit this small royal palace, described as London’s smallest, for its historic rooms and furnishings, including the king’s room and a piano. The palace is connected with Queen Charlotte and King George III. The upper floor was closed during the visit, so check current access before planning around it.
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Treetop WalkwayTreetop Walkway, Kew Gardens, Richmond, London, United Kingdom
The Treetop Walkway rises 18 metres (about 60 feet) above the ground for views across the gardens. It can sway gently with the trees in strong winds, so consider whether that experience suits you if you are uneasy with heights.
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Temperate HouseTemperate House, Kew Gardens, Richmond, London, United Kingdom
Explore plants and trees from around the world, and look for the waterfall and the “Bachelor Plant,” a male Encephalartos woodii. The known plants are clones, and scientists have searched for a female plant for about a century.
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Queen Charlotte's CottageQueen Charlotte's Cottage, Kew Gardens, Richmond, London, United Kingdom
See Queen Charlotte’s personal cottage, including its thatched roof and picnic room. It was used for private meetings, dining and parties.
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Palm HousePalm House, Kew Gardens, Richmond, London, United Kingdom
The Palm House is a tropical rainforest glasshouse dating to 1844. Look for the cycad identified as the world’s oldest potted plant, brought from Africa in 1775. It survived wartime bombing that nearly destroyed the glasshouse.
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The HiveThe Hive, Kew Gardens, Richmond, London, United Kingdom
The Hive’s lights and vibrations respond to bee activity, creating a sound described as soothing. It was the final stop on this visit and closes at 5 p.m.; check current hours and plan your visit accordingly.