Kew Royal Botanic Gardens

England · ENG

When to go

BestGoodFairPoorClosedCrowds (quiet → packed)Mar–Jun and Aug–Oct bring the strongest blossom, borders, summer colour and autumn foliage. · Also: Nov–Feb: warm glasshouses, winter stems, architectural trees and occasional snowdrops or orchid displays.

Time: 10am opening for the major glasshouses before they become busiest and to allow a full circuit. · Late afternoon for warmer outdoor photography light; visit glasshouses earlier because they close before the Gardens. · Halloween and Christmas evenings: book directly through Kew as soon as your date is firm and arrive 15–20 minutes before timed entry.
Avoid: Avoid persistent heavy rain, dangerous wind or extreme heat for an outdoor-focused visit; check closures if the Palace or Pagoda is a priority.

About 6 hours

A good route

Start
Victoria Gate and Palm House30 min
Enter from Victoria Gate and visit the humid Palm House first.
+35 min
Palm House Pond, Parterre and Rose Garden25 min
The Rose Garden is most worthwhile in summer.
+1 h 5
Temperate House30 min
Allow time for the scale of the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse.
+1 h 40
Marianne North Gallery25 min
A compact indoor stop near the Temperate House.
+2 h 15
Treetop Walkway25 min
Continue through the central landscape toward the woodland side.
+2 h 55
Arboretum, Woodland Garden and Pagoda end70 min
Use this longer, quieter loop only if time and energy permit; the Pagoda may be seasonally closed.
+4 h 15
Princess of Wales Conservatory35 min
Return east through its sequence of ten climate zones.
+4 h 55
Rock Garden and Davies Alpine House25 min
The Alpine House is a quick but distinctive stop.

Heritage: Grade I listed park and garden · World Heritage Site

Don't miss

Palm House
Near Victoria Gate and Palm House Pond
Kew’s iconic 1848 Victorian glasshouse, with a humid tropical collection.
Temperate House
Central-southwest Gardens, near Marianne North Gallery
A vast white Victorian glasshouse housing temperate-climate plants from around the world.
Princess of Wales Conservatory
Eastern side of the Gardens, near Elizabeth Gate
A theatrical sequence of ten climatic zones, including tropical and desert collections.
Great Broad Walk Borders
Along the Broad Walk
One of Kew’s strongest summer displays, richest and fullest in August.
Rhododendron Dell
Within the Gardens; exact location not specified in dossier
A major spring draw for rhododendrons and azaleas.
Treetop Walkway
Woodlandward area, beyond Temperate House
A raised perspective over Kew’s mature trees and woodland landscape.
Great Pagoda
Pagoda end, south side of the site near Lion Gate
A landmark destination at the far end of a longer garden circuit; closed from 28 September 2026 until spring 2027.
Davies Alpine House and Rock Garden
Near the Princess of Wales Conservatory
A compact stop for alpine plants and rock-garden planting.

In bloom

JanuaryArchitectural trees, conifers, coloured dogwood stems, witch hazel, early snowdrops and the warm glasshouse collections.
FebruarySnowdrops, witch hazel, first daffodils and usually the Orchid Festival in the Princess of Wales Conservatory.
MarchEarly magnolias, building blossom, daffodils and tulips.
AprilCherries, magnolias, tulips, early bluebells and strengthening rhododendrons.
MayBluebells, rhododendrons, azaleas, wisteria and fresh tree canopy.
JuneRoses, early Great Broad Walk Borders, Waterlily House displays and summery conservatory planting.

Glasshouses: Palm House, Temperate House, Princess of Wales Conservatory and other glasshouses currently open daily 10am–5pm, subject to maintenance or safety changes. Do not leave glasshouse visits until late: they close before the Gardens. The Princess of Wales Conservatory’s upper floor is not wheelchair/mobility-scooter accessible; the Palm House permits wheelchairs but not mobility scooters.

Maps & links

Mapkew.org

Good to know

Bring

Comfortable walking shoes with grip
Waterproof layer
Water bottle or refillable bottle

Food & breaks

Food outlets around Victoria Plaza are busiest at peak lunch times.
Allow a lunch break on a five- to six-hour visit.

Skip it if

Skip if you dislike gardens, cannot comfortably walk several kilometres, or have only about 90 minutes.