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.

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.