What is Kew Gardens?
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southwest London: 132 hectares of gardens, glasshouses and woodland that hold one of the world's largest collections of living plants. It's a scientific institution as well as a garden, home to the Millennium Seed Bank partnership and a vast herbarium.
Its Victorian glasshouses are icons: the Palm House (1848), full of tropical plants, and the Temperate House (1863), the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse in the world. The Palm House is due to close for a major restoration in the coming years, so see it while you can.
Tickets
Prices change by season and between weekdays and weekends, and booking online is cheaper than buying at the gate. Kew membership pays for itself in about three visits.
🎟️ Explore London activities
Check the crowds, find the best time slot, and book through our authorised partner.
How busy is it?
Kew is big enough to absorb crowds, but the glasshouses, the Treetop Walkway and the cafés get busy, and the station and gates queue on peak days.
Crowds by day and time
From the typical weekly visitor pattern for Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, based on Google’s popular-times data.
Least busy time
Wednesday, 10 am-4 pm
Busiest time
Sunday, 12-4 pm
What to see
Palm House
A rainforest under glass, with spiral staircases up to the gallery.
Temperate House
Plants from temperate regions, including some of the rarest in the world.
Treetop Walkway
A walkway 18 m up in the tree canopy. It can close in high winds.
The Hive
A 17 m sculpture that hums and lights up in response to a real beehive.
Princess of Wales Conservatory
Ten climate zones, including cacti and carnivorous plants.
Great Pagoda and Kew Palace
The 18th-century pagoda and the smallest royal palace, home of George III, are usually open in the warmer months.
Children's Garden
A big play garden for under-12s.
Tips
- Book online to save money and skip the ticket queue.
- Come on a weekday morning.
- Wear comfortable shoes: the gardens are huge.
- Bring a picnic: it's allowed on the lawns.
- Check closing time: it's much earlier in winter.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying at the gate: it's more expensive.
- Underestimating the size: the gardens are 132 hectares.
- Visiting the Treetop Walkway in high winds: it closes.
- Forgetting winter closing times.
A half-day route
- Enter at Victoria Gate from Kew Gardens station.
- Palm House and its pond.
- Princess of Wales Conservatory.
- The Hive and the wildflower meadow.
- Temperate House, then the Treetop Walkway.
- Great Pagoda if it's open, and back via the lake.
Christmas at Kew
From late November to early January, Kew runs an evening illuminated trail with light installations through the gardens, ending with a light show on the Palm House. It's one of London's most popular Christmas events, with separate timed tickets that sell out for weekends and the week before Christmas. Weekday early slots are calmest. Normal daytime admission doesn't include it.
Kew with children
Kew is great for families. The Children's Garden, for ages 2-12, has a canopy walkway, a giant trampoline-style net and water play. The Treetop Walkway and the Hive appeal to all ages, and there's lots of space to run around on the lawns.
Accessibility
Most paths are flat and step-free, and the glasshouses have ramps, though the Palm House gallery and the Treetop Walkway's stairs are harder (the walkway has a lift). Carers go free with a disabled visitor.
Is Kew Gardens worth it?
Yes, especially in spring and summer: it's one of the world's great gardens, and the glasshouses alone justify the ticket. In winter, it's quieter and cheaper, and the glasshouses are a warm escape.
FAQs
How much are Kew Gardens tickets?
+
About £20-22 for adults in peak season, less in winter and online. Under-4s are free.
What time does Kew Gardens close?
+
It varies by season, from late afternoon in winter to 7-8 pm in summer. It opens at 10 am.
Is the Treetop Walkway included?
+
Yes, with standard admission.
When is Kew Gardens least crowded?
+
Weekday mornings, especially in winter. Check our live crowd tracker for your date.
Can I bring a picnic to Kew Gardens?
+
Yes, picnics are allowed on the lawns.
Heading to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew?
See how busy it is right now and the quietest hours for your date, then walk in when the line is short.
Check live crowds →Sources
How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 29 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
