Kew Gardens, renowned for its scenic beauty and serene atmosphere, was established as a royal estate by Queen Caroline in the 18th century.
Home to over 50,000 plants, this UNESCO World Heritage site boasts one of the largest and most diverse collections of exotic plant species globally.
Some of Kew Gardens’ key attractions include the iconic Palm House with its tropical rainforest and the Princess of Wales Conservatory, showcasing ten different climatic zones.
Here’s everything you need to know before booking your Royal Botanic Kew Gardens tickets.
Top Ticket
# Kew Gardens Entry Ticket
# Kew Gardens + Windsor Castle Ticket
# Kew Gardens + Kensington Palace TicketIt’s highly recommended to book your Kew Gardens tickets in advance. These tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.
Key Takeaways
The Kew Gardens entry ticket is the most popular and cheapest way to enter the attraction; it includes access to all glasshouses, special exhibits, and expert interactions with all age groups
Children aged 4–15 years, youth and students aged 16 to 29 years, and seniors, as well as visitors with disabilities, enjoy ticket discounts and concessions. Kids aged 3 years and below, blind or partially blind visitors, and carers of disabled visitors can enter for free
The best time to visit the Gardens is when it opens at 10 am. Avoid visiting Kew on weekends and holidays; aim for weekdays as they are less crowded
The perfect way to explore Kew’s massive gardens is by hopping on the Kew Explorer land train. The 40-minute train tour starts from Victoria Gate and ends at Elizabeth Gate
What’s ahead
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Things to know before booking tickets
You can buy your Kew Gardens tickets either at the venue or online in advance. Booking online is always a better option as it offers you the best discounts and helps you avoid long wait times at the ticketing counter of this famous green space in London. Immediately after purchase, your tickets will be emailed to you. On the day of your visit, all you need to do is show your e-ticket from your smartphone and enter the attraction—no need for printouts! Remember to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time of entry.
Kew Gardens tickets

The Kew Gardens entry ticket is the cheapest and most popular way to access this green estate in the heart of London.
You can also opt for the Kew Gardens + Windsor Castle entry ticket, and Kew Gardens + Kensington Palace entry ticket that offer you the best of London must-sees.
Kew Gardens entry ticket
The best way to tour Kew Gardens, this ticket offers you entry from any of the attraction’s four entrance gates (Victoria, Elizabeth, Brentford, and Lion).
Once inside, you can access Kew’s Art Galleries (Marianne North and Shirley Sherwood), Treetop Walkway, Greenhouses, and the Children’s Garden.
While this ticket also includes admission to the Kew Palace, the same is closed in winter.
But don’t let that dishearten you; The Gardens have much to offer like a 10-story Chinese pagoda, the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world, and even a cascading waterfall!
Free guided walking tours are offered at least twice a day with this ticket. You’ll also be provided with a map and guide to the botanical highlights of the season.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (30 to 64 years): £14
Child Ticket (4 to 15 years): £4
Family Ticket (1 adult & 2 children): £20
Family Ticket (2 adult & 2 children): £32
Note: This ticket grants you admission to the famous Orchid Festival if you’re visiting Kew between February and March.
It’s raining discounts at Kew Gardens!
Youth and students aged 16 to 29 years are eligible for a £7 discounted ticket, and children aged 4 to 15 years need to pay just £4 to enter. There is also a concession ticket costing £12 for seniors and visitors with disabilities.
Kew Gardens combo tickets
Both the Kew Gardens + Windsor Castle and Kew Gardens + Kensington Palace tickets offer a convenient combination of must-sees for a discounted fee. Here’s all you need to know about these combo tickets.
Note: While these tickets don’t include transportation, both attractions—Windsor and Kensington—are well connected by London’s bus, tube, and overground rail services.
Kew Gardens + Windsor Castle ticket
As with the regular ticket, this combo ticket offers you access to Kew Gardens and its temporary exhibitions, art galleries (Marianne North and Shirley Sherwood), greenhouses, and the Treetop Walkway.
Once you are done touring Kew, you can next head to Windsor Castle and explore its State Apartments, St. George’s Chapel, and the Semi-State Rooms.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (30 to 64 years): £39
Youth/Student Ticket (16 to 29 years): £24
Senior Ticket (65+ years): £37
Child Ticket (4 to 15 years): £18
Did you know?
Sir David Attenborough buried a time capsule containing seeds of important food crops and several endangered plants in the foundation of the Princess of Wales Conservatory in 1985. It will be opened in 2085.
Kew Gardens + Kensington Palace
This combo ticket offers you the best of both worlds—entry into the world’s largest botanical gardens, and an actual royal palace where Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge reside with their family.
This entry ticket to the Kensington Palace includes access to the magnificent Grand Staircase, the King’s State Apartments, and the King’s Gallery.
Once you are done touring the Kensington’s indoors, you can walk through the Palace Gardens, wander into the shady Cradle Walk and look out upon the ornamental flowers in Kensington’s Sunken Garden.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (18 to 64 years): £29
Youth/Student Ticket (16 to 17 years): £15
Senior Ticket (65+ years): £23
Child Ticket (5 to 15 years): £13
Visiting Kew Gardens for free
Apart from offering various discounts for visitors, Kew Gardens also permits free entry for kids aged four years and below.
Even those registered blind and partially sighted visitors can enter the attraction for free. And while disabled visitors need to pay a discounted ticket fare, their carers can walk in for free.
If you are a local and wondering what’s the best way to enter Kew for free, we suggest registering yourself as a Friend of Kew.
This is a value-for-money membership that stays active for the entire year, and you can visit Kew as many times as you wish!
Get Exploring!
Want to make the best of your time in London? Then Buy the London Pass and get free access to more than 60 of the city’s top tourist attractions.
Kew Gardens opening hours
Kew Gardens opens at 10 am daily, but its closing times are seasonal and vary throughout the year. The last entry into Kew is always one hour before closing time.
Here’s a table to help you understand the Gardens’ closing hours better.
Closing time schedule
Period | Closing time |
---|---|
1 April to 30 April | 7 pm |
1 May to 31 August | 7 pm |
1 to 30 September | 7 pm |
1 to 28 October | 6 pm |
29 October to 13 November | 4 pm |
14 November to 7 January | 3:15 pm |
8 January to 31 January | 4 pm |
February 2024 | 5 pm |
March 2024 | 6 pm |
Note: Kew’s glasshouses and dining options shut 15-30 minutes before the Gardens’ actual closing hours.
Best time to visit Kew Gardens
The best time to visit Kew Gardens is as soon as they open at 10 am; you get to see the flowers and the plants at their best and also avoid the later morning rush-hour crowd.
Avoid weekends and holidays; we recommend visiting Kew on a weekday for an optimal experience.
The Kew Gardens are at their best from late August to early September. But since the botanical gardens have plants of all seasons, you can visit them in any season.
For instance, if you’re visiting Kew Gardens in Autumn, you will find the gardens filled with red and yellow foliage. It is also best to visit the Arboretum in Autumn.
Winter brings out some Kew Gardens magic as it gets all set for the holiday season; it is the best time to observe the orchids planted in the Princess of Wales Conservatory.
Come Spring, and visitors can see Kew blooming: The Waterlily House is at its best during this season, and the weather is perfect for spending the day outside.
Rest assured, whatever the season, we recommend adding Kew to your must-see London attractions.
Did you know?
Several exotic animals were kept in the paddock next to Queen Charlotte’s Cottage in the 1700s. The menagerie comprised colorful Tartarian pheasants and the first kangaroos to arrive in Britain.
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Kew Gardens entrances
Kew Gardens has four major entrances. Tourists with Kew Gardens entry tickets can enter through these four entrances.
Victoria Gate

The Victoria Gate is the nearest access point to the Palm House, the botanical, Marianne North, Shirley Sherwood galleries, the broad walk borders, and the Victoria Plaza cafe and shop.
You’ll also find the Kew Gardens station closest to the Victoria Gate.
Elizabeth Gate

The Elizabeth Gate is at the Western end of the Gardens and is closest to the Kew Bridge Station.
The nearest attractions to this gate are the Orangery Restaurant, the Princess of Wales Conservatory, the Kew Palace and Royal Kitchens, and the Hive.
Brentford Gate
Brentford Gate is situated next to Kew’s Ferry Lane car park.
The nearest attractions to the Brentford Gate are the White Peaks Cafe and Shop, Climbers and Creepers, and the Treehouse Towers.
The Lion Gate
Lion Gate would be the nearest entrance if you’re alighting or boarding from Richmond station.
The Japanese Gateway and the Pavilion Restaurant are closest to Lion Gate.
Bicycles, tricycles, roller skates, skateboards, and scooters are prohibited in the Gardens. However, there are locker services available at the Victoria and Elizabeth gates, so you don’t have to worry about where to store your personal belongings.
What to see at Kew Gardens
The Kew’s Royal Botanical Gardens offers visitors several beautiful and exotic attractions, making it a highly-rated destination.
Here’s our list of the must-see places within Kew Gardens’ 300 acres of flora.
The Palm House

The Palm House has been one of the most popular attractions at the Kew Gardens. It is the most important Victorian iron and glass structure in existence today.
You will observe that the glasshouse is divided into world areas, and the specimens are attached with complete and detailed explanations.
The Palm House also has some interactive activities for both children and adults.
The Temperate Glasshouse
The Temperate Glasshouse is home to a collection of the rarest and the most threatened temperate zone plants.
It is the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse and was re-opened to visitors in 2018 after a five-year-long restoration.
The Formal Gardens
The Formal Garden is a dedicated Japanese landscape that attracts tourists mainly through its tranquil and serene aura.
Professor Fukuhara of Osaka drew inspiration from the Momayama period (1573–1615) to design this prized area of Kew.
The Treetop Walk
The Treetop Walk is an 18-meter-high structure that provides a splendid view of the Gardens. It also offers a 200-meter walkway around the tree tips of lime, chestnut, and oaks.
Just like other areas of Kew, the Treetop Walkway is also accessible to disabled visitors.
Minka House and Bamboo Forest
Just like the Formal Gardens, the Minka house and Bamboo forest are also inspired by Japanese history.
Until the 20th century, the Minka house was used to move around in an emergency (like an earthquake) as they were not cemented and fixed to one place.
Kew Palace
The Kew Palace is Britain’s smallest palace. It was built in 1631 for a silk merchant named Samuel Fortrey.
It was a favorite with King George II and Queen Caroline, and King George III too took refuge here to deal with his mental illness.
Other royalty to have lived here include Queen Charlotte who made it her final residence before passing away.
Kew Gardens Explorer train

The Kew Explorer land train is the perfect way to explore Kew’s massive gardens.
Visitors can get the Kew Explorer tickets once they are in the garden. The 40-minute train tour starts from Victoria Gate and ends at Elizabeth Gate.
Kew Gardens ticket holders can get on and off at any of the seven stops on the route. These include:
Stop 1 – Victoria Gate
Victoria Plaza shop and cafe, Palm House, and The Botanical Cafe
Stop 2 – Temperate House
Marianne North Gallery, Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, Davies Exploration House, and Pavilion Restaurant.
Stop 3 – The Great Pagoda
Lion Gate and the Japanese Gateway.
Stop 4 – Natural Area and Woodland
Pinetum, Log Trail, Badger Sett, Stag Beetle Loggery, Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, Waterlily Pond, the Kew Lake, and Sackler Crossing.
Stop 5 – Rhododendron Dell
Bamboo Garden, Rhododendron Dell, Minka House, Riverside Walk, and Oak collection.
Stop 6 – Brentford Gate and car park
Quarantine House and Estates’ tropical nursery.
Stop 7 – Elizabeth Gate/Orangery
Orangery restaurant, White Peaks café and shop, Children’s Garden, Climbers and Creepers, Queen’s Garden, and Kew Palace.
Visitors are allowed to skip a train and wait for their turn to board the next one during peak times.
Download the route map of the Explorer train
Kew’s Palm House houses the world’s oldest pot plant, a huge Jurassic cycad (Encephalartos altensteinii). Plant-hunter Frances Masson collected the specimen during one of Captain Cook’s South African voyages in 1775.
Kew Gardens map
Navigating Kew Gardens can be a little challenging if you are a tourist in the vicinity for the first time.
Without a doubt, there is help all around, but the place is so huge that some extra help in the form of a Kew Gardens map won’t hurt—considering many of the attractions within are spread far and wide.
It especially comes in handy if you’re visiting the Gardens with kids or seniors.
FAQs about the Kew Gardens
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Kew Gardens in London.
Where can I buy tickets for a tour of Kew Garden?
You can buy your tickets both online and at the location, but we suggest you book your tour online to skip the hassle of waiting in queue.
Are there any discounts or special offers for Kew Gardens and Kew Palace tickets?
Kew Gardens offers discounts for senior citizens and disabled visitors, students, and children between 4 and 15 years of age. There are special family packages, too.
Does this ticket include access to the explorer train in the Kew Gardens?
No, you do not get explorer train access with the entry ticket. You can buy it only once you are inside the Gardens.
Do I need to carry an ID card for entry into Kew Gardens London?
While it’s generally not required, you must carry a valid ID if you’ve purchased a ticket that includes a discount for students, seniors, or residents.
Is Kew Gardens accessible to wheelchair users?
Yes, Kew Gardens is fully accessible to all visitors. Wheelchairs can be hired for free and there are accessible toilets and eating areas. Most buildings, gardens, and attractions, too, are wheelchair-friendly.
Are food and beverage facilities available at Kew Gardens?
Yes, Kew Gardens has several dining options ranging from cafes and restaurants to smaller kiosks. These offer a variety of meals, snacks, and drinks.
Can I buy plants at Kew Gardens?
Visitors can purchase plants at Kew’s Plant Center, with this selection varying from season to season. The center opens from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 11 am to 5 pm on Sundays.
From singular to plural
In 1772, King George III inherited the Kew estate and joined it with the royal estate in Richmond, and that is how the Kew Garden became Kew Gardens!
How to reach Kew Gardens
The Kew Gardens is in the London borough of Richmond upon Thames, about 30 minutes from Central London. Get Directions.
Kew Gardens has four main entrances, and the River Thames flows 500 meters (0.31 mile) from the Elizabeth Gate.
The Gardens are well connected by both public and private transport.
By Tube
The nearest station to Kew Gardens is the Kew Gardens station.
The District line and London Overground serve it and lie in Zone 3.
Once you get down at the Station, you must walk half a km (one-third of a mile) to Kew’s Victoria Gate.
By Train
South Western Trains run services from Waterloo via Vauxhall and Clapham Junction.
If you’re traveling by train, alight at the Kew Bridge station and take a 10-minute walk to reach Kew’s Elizabeth Gate.
By Bus
Buses are the most convenient and accessible method for traveling around the city.
To reach Kew Gardens by bus, use routes 65, 391, 237, or 267.
Route 65 stops near the Lion Gate, the Victoria Gate, and the Elizabeth Gate.
Route 391 drops you near the Kew Gardens station and the Elizabeth gate.
Route 237 and Route 267 pass through the Kew Bridge station.
Note: Visitors can also use riverboat service from the Westminster Pier to the Kew Pier during summer. The Kew Pier is 500 meters (0.31 mile) from Elizabeth Gate.
Kew Garden parking
Visitors can park their vehicles at the Ferry Lane near Brentford Gate or around Kew Gardens. Do note that only limited parking is available near the Gardens after 10 am.
While you’ll have to pay a small parking fee for cars, you can park your motorcycles and mopeds for free.
If you are a Blue Badge holder (disabled), you must head for the Elizabeth Gate, which has three disabled-access parking bays and drop-off areas.
Bicycle racks are available at all four entrance gates and can be used for free.