The 12 best views, scenic lookouts, and viewpoints in Kew (2024)

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a World Heritage Site and home to the world's largest collection of plants. The gardens are spread across 300 hectares and feature many attractions including the iconic Palm House and Treetop Walkway.

Need a whole day to take everything in! This garden is huge! Be prepared to do lots of walking. With so much to see, one needs a whole day to see everything this place has to offer. We used London Pass for admission, if we bought tickets there, it would be around £50 for two adults and one child. Not that expensive compared to other attractions, and I think you get more out of it. We took the the Underground and got off at Kew Gardens station.My son particularly liked the children’s play area which had a climbing structure (we spent an hour there). There is a cafe close by the playground and we got baked goods to tide him over.The Hive is also something I recommend experiencing, it’s an art piece that mimics a beehive. You have to see it for yourself.Just walking around and admiring the size and beauty of the plants and trees is already a great experience in itself.All in all we spent around 3 hours, which is definitely not enough, and would totally come back again.

Jepoi David — Google review

A really fantastic and stunning place to visit. There's something for absolutely everyone and you really don't have to be into horticulture to enjoy it. Trying to see absolutely everything in any degree of detail in one visit might be a bit too much, it would take several hours to get round. Treating it as a nice place to go for a walk might be a little bit more realistic.That said, it's quite hard to get information on what you're seeing and to seek out interesting facts. Digital or interactive screens spread around could really help with this. Or perhaps just the option for patrons to scan QR codes. There are occasional plaques with in-depth details, but it's just not quick, easy or fun to consume. Presentations, videos or even an option for augmented reality could really make this something super engaging.Lastly, and up to £20 for an adult, it really is incredibly expensive for a day visit. I completely appreciate the huge amount of upkeep maintenance required and also the peak season will, I'm sure, attract plenty of people willing and able to pay this rate or even higher. However, outside of this period It just doesn't seem that busy and I'm sure I'm more attractive. Price could be offset by an uptick in volume. It would be great if people could come, not just to see Kew gardens but to meet and enjoy social occasions in the stunning grounds.

Ravi — Google review

The Kew gardens are the place to be for the lovers of plants and nature. Around 1 hour away from the city center with the transportation, Kew gardens are a source of oxygen for the area. A huge plant collection, gorgeous green houses with stunning plant compositions. The gardeners know their thing! Favorite greenhouse was the one with the water lilies. Cute cafes and restaurants around the garden but quite pricey. If you want to see as much as possible, you need the whole day. I found non impressive the Pagoda for which we paid extra. Nothing special in my opinion but a good exercise to go to the top. The hive was a very interesting artwork. Again is a must 🇬🇧🥰

F P — Google review

I liked every corner of it. But the day we went in, there was an event booked, so the garden had to close by 4, so we didn't have enough time to go around. We had to travel all the way to it, to find it closing earlier! No prior email or notification saying so, 😕 a bit of disappointment. Other than that, everywhere we went to was good to great 😃

JM SP — Google review

What an amazing place. We really enjoyed the gardens much more than expected. One of the best days out we have had. Kew Palace has so much intrigue and the story surrounding George III is very interesting.So much to see. It really is good value, we spent 5 hours here and did not see everything. The greenhouses are breathtaking. If you want to park in the car park arrive early, parking is very limited.Obviously this will appear to those into gardening/nature. But the history of the entire garden is very interesting. I really can recommend it more!

Jake Fauvel — Google review

Just outside of London but feels a hundred miles—and years!—away. So easy to get to, blissfully peaceful, with benches in quiet verdant spots for resting while taking in beautiful vistas. Highly recommend a jaunt out there when you are in need of reflection and contemplation.

Pam Sommers — Google review

I went on a Friday and I 10/10 recommend coming here. Uber or drive there early if you go to the Christmas lights show since traffic from central London will take about an hour to get there. Once you arrive, you will not be dissatisfied. Beautiful decorations on the walkways, food stands everywhere and great people and employees. So many photo opportunities and the place is a lot bigger than I thought. I spent almost 4 hours there and I had so much fun.

Guillermo Rangel — Google review

What a treat ! Going during winter (with a correct weather) was a blessing. Very few people, it was a very contemplative moment. You let yourself get captivated by all the plants varieties and the beautiful architecture of the greenhouses. Plan at least three hours to visit ! And why not bring a sketchbook to capture your favorite specimens.

Garance — Google review

HUGE!! SO much to see.Perfect activity for those who love plants, flowers and anything botanical.Bought tickets online - slightly cheaper.Beautiful landscapes.Couldn't see the entire place. Easy to get lost but if you follow the signs and/or map (pick one up at the entrance) you should be fine.Visited the stunning glasshouse. It was massive and also had a really pretty treetop walkway.Visited during mid February so wasn't crazy busy but can imagine it gets much more lively during the spring and summer months.

Aditee Soorjonowa — Google review

I'd booked tickets for Kew expecting to be done in a few hours. We parked in the main car park near the river (signage was pretty poor or at least I didn't see any!) and there were plenty of spaces.The gardens were far larger than I'd expected and we could have easily spent a full day there. Each of the glasshouses is an hour or so to properly appreciate and then the other displays and gardens plus walking between them takes a lot of time.The gardens were beautifully maintained and well signposted once inside. There were a few eating options to break up the visit. There were also lots of information boards about the different areas of the garden and the history of the gardens themselves.The glasshouses were works of art in their own right but the addition of the plant displays made them hugely impressive. My personal favourites were the cactus displays and the Japanese garden. The Grand Pagoda (a separate ticket) was also a fantastic experience.Definitely somewhere to return too and great value.

Marcus Hurley — Google review

It's a very beautiful place and fantastic for families and friends. Because of the sheer size of this place, it's not crowded. Facilities are fantastic, and there are a number of cafes around. I definitely recommend Kew Gardens for a fun day out. If I lived closer to it, I would have bought a yearly pass. I would definitely recommend Kew Gardens to everyone, at least for one visit.

Gaming Lab — Google review

It’s a nice place if you want to go out in a park and spend your day with your family and friends. Nice place to relax and plenty of open spaces to sit and relax. Had this expectations of great flowers from around the world but was a bit disappointed when we found a few. Maybe I am wrong as we did not cover the entire gardens as we arrived a bit late. Overall it’s a nice place to spend with your family and friends

hendry fernandes — Google review

The original botanical garden is a true gem for those who make the time to visit. Lovely original domes with tropical, desert and rare plants you may never see in the world. There are also fish and other wildlife roaming the park. Be sure to wear nice shoes and bring a picnic as you'll easily spend all day here and still not see everything. The last time I was here was several years ago, a lot of the small desert plants are so much bigger now. On the weekends you can find free parking in the side streets too.

Usman Khan — Google review

This place will leave you with best memories!You can see species of trees, plants and flowers from all over the world 🤩Lots of trails for walking. There is a kids playing ground and a fast food are. A nice restaurant can be found on the spot as well. Paid parking near the entrance of the garden.We’ve also seen beautiful birds, squirrels and even a fox walking through the park 😊Highly recommended place for a day spent with your family / kids!

Lucia Panfil — Google review

I visited Kew gardens for the first time to see the Christmas lights, and I absolutely loved it. I have always wanted to visit Kew gardens, so I am very happy I was not disappointed. The journey is not bad from South East London and is very straightforward. I advise buying a ticket for Kew at Christmas, but I don't know how it is out of the season. I am so going again next year 😊.

Lola A — Google review

Need time to reflect? This is the best place for you! The place is so calming. Love the freshness of the air, the sound of the birds, and nature in general. There are also lots of benches where you can rest. There is also a restaurant and coffee shop at the center of the gardens.

Jude Ryan — Google review

They recommend spending the entire day here, which I think is a bit much really unless you're a botanist. Once you've been into one of the pavilions, really you've been into all of them unless there's something specific you want to see. Certainly peaceful and nice to explore. Some nice views like the pagoda and the palace (which is a lot smaller than it looks). But you're certainly not missing much if you don't go honestly.

Yogen Mudgal — Google review

It is a very nice place with lots of greenhouses and places to visit. It wasn't too busy and the weather was nice as well. I would recommend going in spring or summer so you can see all the fruits/growth, as I went before and the plants were still bare. Kew gardens is a massive place with lots to explore, so make sure yo get comfortable trainers and a map to navigate the place.

Perhaps — Google review

Amazing day out in early January! We got extremely lucky with the gorgeous weather... however the indoor greenhouses are great for all weather days.Such a nice place to visit and the tickets are very reasonable... especially if your lovely partner is an NHS worker! Check website for full ticket information and discount and offers for the community.

Toby Rogers — Google review

Kew Gardens has a rightly deserved good reputation. It is a fantastic day out.I took my kids, and the quality of the venue in all things is excellent. From the gardens, to the Green Houses to even the benches placed around the grounds are amazing. It was a very memorable day and we look forward to many many more visits.

Asim Choudhery — Google review

This was the best thing I did on my trip to London. It was an easy trip on the tube and the gardens were absolutely spectacular. I spent the day wandering the paths, resting on benches in private corners of the park, and enjoying the beautiful botany and architecture of the glass houses. 10/10 recommend!

Emma Koop Liechty — Google review

We have visited Kew Gardens for the very first time this week and we had a great experience from the moment we were at gate till the end of the day. It’s an amazing day out with family and kids. We were so well treated by Hannah (at the gate) she was so kind and helpful, she is so polite and courteous. The only thing we regret is that we did not plan a picnic but we visited the cafe and grabbed an ice cream do, It was perfectly fine!

Fernanda B — Google review

Wow what a beautiful place, so breathtaking the multiple places to take pictures and lovely variety of things to see and explore.From flowers, to plants and much more.You could spend hours here as there is so much to see.We only stayed for like 4hours or so but we managed to see nearly half of the surroundings.Definitely worth a visit and very peaceful and relaxing to be in this beautiful place.Less than a ten minute walk from Kew Gardens station.I have only selected some of the most amazing pictures from the 100 or more I had taken just to give you a glimpse of this incredible environment and experience you could have.

Alisha Arafat — Google review

Amazing place, lots to view and get a good few steps in. Walked 13,000 steps and we only visited 70%1. Good variety of places to eat.2. Scenic and natural environment.3. Great for taking a leisurely stroll and getting some steps in.4. The Lilly pads were amazing.5. The treetop walk is a unique experience.6. The view from the lake on the bridge is stunning.7. Offers something for everyone.**Cons:**1. Shops inside can be a bit on the pricey side.

Andy V — Google review

I took advantage of a random nice day in October to visit the Gardens. Even in early fall, they were lovely. My favorite place was The Princess of Wales Conservatory mostly because I like tropical plants. The grounds were really well kept and the bio-diversity on display was amazing. I do wish they had a few more signs but, overall, didn't have much problems getting around. I did come on a Monday and there were very few people around, which was great.I had an easy way to get here by taking the Tube District Line from my hotel. Then a quick walk through a lovely neighborhood in the village of Kew took me to the Victoria Gate Entrance. No wait times to get in, walked right up and got a ticket.Unfortunately, they had just switched to winter hours so all the green houses closed at 3pm with the Gardens themselves closing at 4pm, plus several areas were closed for the season - like the Great Pagoda and Queen Charlotte's Cottage. Additionally, they were in the process of transitioning several exhibits so a few of the areas - like the Temperate House, the Treetop Walkway were also closed. Which wasn't the problem - I understand maintenance has to happen. But I wish the attendant who sold me the ticket would have let me know of the closures so I can plan my time more efficiently while there.But overall I did enjoy a nice day there.

Gergana Slavova — Google review

Kew Gardens is truly amazing. I have been for the Christmas lights and through the day. Loved both times. The lights and music were so beautiful and is always a great start to the festive season. Still haven't managed to see everything through the day but that just means ill definitely be back. Great exhibitions and love that they promote sustainability and improving eco systems.

Emma Murray — Google review

The Botanic Gardens at Kew is a wonderful venue full of conservatories of exotic plants and large parkland. It is not usually open in the evenings, but the Orchids After Hours show was beautiful and so worth seeing. A visit to Kew is à great day out.

Amanda Deacon — Google review

Kew Gardens is honestly magical and a fantastic activity to enjoy with family or friends. As soon as you enter, you feel connected to nature. It's a great experience, especially when you live in the city and need a break from urban life. The entire park is well-maintained, clean and has plenty of staff members available to assist you. I highly recommend allocating more than 2 hours to fully appreciate everything it has to offer and consider visiting in the morning to avoid rushing before closing time. While everything in the park is worth seeing, Diana’s Conservatory is a must-visit; the diversity of vegetation is remarkable. I loved every moment of it!

Dino Masovic — Google review

This place is superb and a must visit for all with an interest in plants, gardening and the beautiful outdoors. The place is big with many things to see and explore. They often host art exhibitions, music events and out of this world floral displays. We are annual pass holders which means we have unlimited access to the gardens throughout the year. We also love their gift shop, the cafe and restaurants as well. Our most recent visit was to see the opening of 'sounds of Spring' a superb outdoor display of spring colour and dreamy, soul touching sounds!

Daniela Sheppard — Google review

A space of many gardens! Love the greenhouses. Water lilies, tropical plants and the largest varieties of cactus 🌵 I have ever seen. Love the beehive installation too. Really great shops and restaurants.

Doris Chan — Google review

Such a beautiful place. So lovely to have a long walk through this green lung of London. So many beautiful plants and flowers combined with activities, gastronomic and art/ history. One of the must do’s in town.

André Bonin — Google review

If you are on certain benefits you can get in for £1 which is a fantastic scheme. You can also get young adult tickets at a reduced price. I think the full price adult tickets seem a little pricey. I will definitely return at the reduced cost but I wouldn't at full price.The gardens are obviously well looked after. The temporary orchid display was nice. There were some interesting plants I'd never seen before. Plenty of helpful maps online to help you around - including disabled access. Orangery food was expensive but the food in the Family Kitchen was reasonable. Overall a really nice day and I imagine later in the year it will be nicer to visit than in February.

Caprice Joseph — Google review

The 12 best views, scenic lookouts, and viewpoints in Kew (2024)

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