Kew Gardens: Does It Live Up To The Hype?

For over ten years I had lived in London but never visited Kew Gardens. It was one of those places we slightly took for granted as we lived close by. I have no idea why it took so long to visit Kew. Now we visit the world famous gardens multiple times a year and have Kew membership. So what draws us back? What makes Kew Gardens the most visited tourist attractions in London? What is there to see and is Kew Gardens worth a trip if you are visiting London?

What is there to see at Kew Gardens?

Despite visiting Kew Gardens many times over the last few years, there is still so much of the space we have yet to explore. Describing it as mere ‘gardens’ somewhat downplays the huge site. Spanning a 300 acre area, it has 30,000 different plants, a number of historical buildings such as Kew Palace and 14,000 different trees which tower above you. Many of them are old, withered and glaring, looking like they could have inspired J.R.R Tolkein’s fantasy books. A huge sense of history belies the gardens and you can almost imagine you are taking part in your very own period drama.

Kew Gardens is a place where I always discover something new and makes a wonderful family day out or day trip from London and the surrounding area.  Whether it be wandering by the lake and admiring the wildlife which reside there or visiting Kew Gardens’ art gallery and huge, botanical conservatories with tropical plants galore living inside. For those feeling more adventurous there is a treetop pathway while younger children can explore the playground. Read on for more details on what to do at Kew Gardens.

Glasshouses at Kew

One of the top things to see at Kew Gardens is its large glasshouses. The recently restored Temperate House is an incredible space to see exotic plants (many of which are under treat of extinction) and marvel at the largest Victorian glasshouse. You can view it from high or low with spiral staircases up to see the canopy (not suitable for buggies).

The second conservatory is the smaller Palm House which is packed full of tropical plants. Many of the plants are familiar names from my spice cupboard (tamarind) as well as body lotions (Ylang, Ylang) or are named after luxury hotel chains (Banyan). It is fascinating to see them up close and educate all including my young girls. 

My girls always enjoy going through the “jungle” of the Palm House, fuelling their imagination and getting to see plants relating to the food they eat. My daughter loved seeing the banana plant (she eats enough of them). It is a great education to learn where they actually come from. Being transported somewhere tropical, especially after so long without travelling, is also welcome escapism with the heat of the glasshouse adding to the vision of more exotic shores. 

The Great Pagoda

One of the structures I have always wanted to take a closer look at after seeing it from afar, emerging from the gardens, was the Great Pagoda. It was originally built in 1762 as a gift for Princess Augusta, the founder of the Gardens. You can climb up to the top for a bird’s eye view (which we have yet to do). An additional ticket is required for a guided tour to climb the Great Pagoda.

What was more impressive was the Japanese gateway built in the early 20th century – a replica of one in Kyoto, Japan.

Children’s Garden

This is an incredible outdoor Children’s Garden at Kew Gardens which will keep children entertained and active for a long time. It is an interactive space to learn more about plants and how they grow which is designed for children aged 2 – 12. It comprises of climbing frames, slides, water play and sand to explore. My girls love it and the enclosed space allows them to enjoy some freedom. You no longer need to pre-book a slot to visit the Children’s garden, just head there when you feel like it.

Christmas at Kew

Every year at Christmas, Kew Gardens is transformed with a magnificent light show to be enjoyed after dark. Christmas at Kew is a wonderful family outing and a truly magical experience which you can learn more about in my review of Christmas at Kew.

Eating at Kew Gardens

There are a variety of places to eat at Kew Gardens serving anything from hot dogs and sandwiches to something more substantial. We had a lovely meal at The Orangery which serves fare such as sandwiches, risottos and quinoa salads. It’s just as easy to take a picnic though and probably more fun for children (my daughter is obsessed with them) with no shortage of places to have it. The price of food and drinks inside the gardens can be fairly expensive.

Tips for visiting Kew Gardens with kids

Kew Gardens isn’t somewhere you can whizz around the whole ground in one afternoon. There’s so much there (and I have just covered a few of the attractions there). It’s probably best to plan what you want to see first and don’t try to do too much.

There’s also a lot of walking so take a buggy if you have young kids (it’s all pretty accessible). There are fantastic plants and trees dotted around but, for me, the best bits are the botanical conservatories (which are also good if the weather is a bit chilly/rainy). My daughter really enjoyed what she saw and I know in years to come it will serve as an important educational tool.

The botanical gardens offer a lot for all ages to learn and is perfect for family trips with plenty of child-friendly attractions. For me, it lived up to the hype (and more) and now I have rediscovered this magnificent place, right on my doorstep, I’ll be going back again. I think it’s something to explore in several visits (especially with a toddler’s attention span) and, to help with the cost, I’ve found out I can get a yearly pass (details below). 

Cost

£14 per adult if bought online beforehand (and you get to skip the queues) otherwise £15 at the gate.

Child (over 4) – £2.50 online (£3.50 at gate). Under 4s go free.

Family tickets – 1 adult, 2 children £18. For 2 adults, 2 children – £32

Local residents can get in a bit cheaper on Tuesday’s (£11) and if you plan on going frequently the yearly pass as a Kew Member works out at £62 if paying by direct debit (£72 if not). With this ticket you can take a friend and to add a child (over 4) it’s £5 a year.

For more information and special events, visit the Kew Gardens website.

Staying in Kew

If you are looking to spend some time in Kew and surrounding area, have a look at nearby hotels and accommodation options in Kew for various budgets.

Take a look at my review of Christmas at Kew if you are considering going. Every February Kew Gardens also has an Orchid festival which we love visiting. If you want to explore more of the local area, read my article on things to do in Twickenham.

Have you ever been to Kew? Did you think it lived up to the hype? I would love to hear your experiences.