Kew Gardens

The beautiful Nymphaea 'Sunfire' ☀️
Who’s a fan of waterlilies? It’s a great time to see them outside in the Gardens. 🌿 See how many you can spot outside the Princess of Wales Conservatory and in the Aquatic Garden.

Did you know…? From bottle stoppers to bike brakes, the thick bark of the Cork Oak (Quercus suber) provides the cork for commercial products 🍾

Experience the Temperate House like never before, don't miss Cirque Bijou's breathtaking aerial performance of Harmonic: http://bit.ly/2zSmpKH

It's potato season in the Kitchen Garden 🥔 From helping the war effort to being the first crop grown in space, there’s more to the humble spud than meets the eye...

Step into Kew's Millennium Seed Bank and discover a day in the life of a cryopreservation scientist 🌱❄️

Pollinated by birds, this unique temperate plant is known as Kangaroo paw. Learn more about it, and other plants from the newly restored Temperate House...

The Duke’s Garden is a great spot to explore if you’re looking to admire some summer colour. 🌻 The Garden has a lot of history and has had many famous residents; it was once owned by the first Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the 1800s.

One for the gin-lovers 🍸 Just in time for gin o'clock, this cocktail recipe with Kew Organic Gin might just be the refreshing tipple you need.

You can now once again climb the Great Pagoda 🐲

The Great Pagoda finally reopens tomorrow following major conservation work to return it to its former splendour. Uncover the story behind the 80 incredible dragons that now adorn it. 🐲

New plant species are being discovered and described every year and Kew scientists are at the forefront of these expeditions.
This isn’t just an exercise in exploration.
One in five plants are threatened with extinction.

Pollination is one of the most important biological processes on our planet. And bees one of the most important pollinators. 🐝 #BeesNeeds

Did you know..? The olive (Olea europaea) is in the Oleaceae family - the same family as jasmine, ash and lilac. Found in the Mediterranean, this is arguably the region’s most versatile and valuable crop – it was first cultivated over 7,000 years ago!

Although known as a ‘cocoa pod’, did you know that the fruit is actually a berry? ‘Cocoa beans’ are the dried & fermented seeds 🍫

Following its intensive restoration, you'll soon be able to venture up 253 steps to the top of the Great Pagoda and enjoy spectacular views across London. Learn more: https://goo.gl/hPYHEJ
📷: Historic Royal Palaces / Richard Lea-Hair

This wild banana is found only in Madagascar, where there are just five mature trees left in the wild. 🍌

Well-suited to survive in dry climates, cacti have developed a number of adaptions to live in these areas. For example, cacti stems are able to store water when it is available for times of drought. 🌵
Occasionally, they come into flower - in an array of pinks, reds, yellows and white, which do a good job of attracting pollinators!

Help keep bees happy and provide them with vital nectar all year round. 🐝

This tough, resilient and bitter legume crop once fuelled the Roman legions and the Incas. It can now be found in bar snacks, baby food and ice cream. Explore the story behind the plant...

The Egyptians called aloe plants ‘plants of immortality’ because of their many different types of uses.
Meet Aloe jucunda, a popular house plant that’s easy to care for. But in its native range – the very harsh environment on the upper slopes of the Ga’an Libah Plateau in northern Somalia – it's at risk of extinction.

We love Kew Gardens and have been visiting for many years. We had the privilege of photographing a wedding here and are now approved suppliers for Kew events which is a dream come true for the both of us!



The grounds are beautiful and the staff were friendly and very professional, we look forward to returning again soon to photograph another wedding.

Visited today and I have to say that I enjoyed this so much more than the Eden project that was overpriced and nowhere near as interesting!! It had such a relaxed atmosphere and we enjoyed a picnic on the grass under a shady tree. I did a 2 for 1 with National Rail but I still think it would have been worth every penny plus it's so easy to get to rather than being in the middle of nowhere like aforementioned place!

Such an easy and wonderful day out, and the vegan burger they were offering was absolutely divine!! I was worried that I wouldn’t have much cruelty free food available, but that burger from the restaurant by the palm house was heaven.

Even in colder less floral seasons there’s stuff to see and do, I plan to come again many a time �

An interesting day out for absolutely anyone.

Kew Gardens is a wonderful pastoral and historical experience in the very heart of London. The flora and vast amount of trees from all over the world are kept in Immaculate condition and it's a joy to inhale and smell the scented air. I particularly enjoyed seeing the champion oak tree, reputedly the largest oak tree in the British Isles; Marianne North's superb botanical paintings in The Gallery; and visiting Kew Palace, once the home of George the Third. However I agree with Rachel Hemingway that the cafes inside the grounds should set a better example by not having so much plastic. Hence initially 4 out of 5 stars. However given Kew Gardens response below 5 out of 5 stars!

Kew Gardens is a magic place where one can have intimate contact with nature and beuaty. Yes. This garden is an work of Art and a beautiful place to recall we need to care about our planet.

It was amazing and I don't even like plants.



Imagine a giant park with separate little gardens in it. That's it.

The scenery is amazing.

Make sure to check out the Japanese gate (and the Pagoda when it opens later this summer). You can also take a nice walk in the Kew Palace.

They also seem to have some programs for children (there was a giant puppet operated by 4-5 people and they seem to have a "draw your own dragon" something).



It is obvious that the crew really takes care of the park.



5 stars EASY.

After reading the recent negative reviews it almost put me off visiting but glad I went. The gardens were so beautiful, loved that I could find lots of peaceful areas to sit and take it all in. The temperate house was fabulous and whilst the plants were a lot smaller than before they will soon grow again and heard a lot of people comment on how nice it was to enjoy the building as well as the plants. The guide book was excellent, good range of facilities and food/drink/gifts not terribly over priced. The ticket price is excellent value for money and the guide book was also worth buying. Finally the hosts in the kitchens and house were really welcoming. The only thing I struggled with was the treetop walkway, I didn’t realise I’m scared of heights! Thank you for a very enjoyable day.

I love Kew Gardens to bits. However, I am disappointed that I see only one small mixed recycling bin outside the main cafe at Victoria gate.... How about embracing your own cause, Kew Gerdens management, and educate visitors about the importance of caring for our environment?

Had a wonderful time in the gardens yesterday. The rhododendrons were magnificent and a joy to behold. Just a little early for the roses so a return visit in a couple of weeks will be necessary! There is always something different to see each time we go.

We finished off our time by having lunch at The Botanical, a very different menu but really superb, so delicious. The only disappointment was the coffee which was extremely bitter.

Glorious. I have visited Kew countless times over the past 30 years. The plants, the landscaping, the staff, the architecture continues to make my heart smile. The toilets and catering services need an upgrade. Once upgraded .... 5 stars will be given....

Absolutely magnificent and a massive well done to all those who's efforts have produced an amazing oasis of plants, trees and tropical environments of real wonder. Beautifully crafted is the Temperate building but if you love palms then the Palm House is a must. The sheer vastness of Kew only becomes apparent when you enter through one of several gates sited around, my view was you need a good two days to explore and ponder everything. We didn't manage it all in one day. The Orangery serves really appetising food although a little pricey especially for families. Friendly staff. I would suggest planning your day carefully and check the park train times so not to be disappointed. One big negative is the park lacks adequate signage. We got lost a lot as did a lot of other people we met as the paths can meet and cross over with no directions to follow which became very frustrating so Kew, you should address this. Overall we loved it..

We visited yesterday with 2 young children (3&4 years old). The gardens are beautiful & the guided train (van) ride really saved our legs! Sadly for children it was disappointing. Particularly the food outlets, only one of which apparently serves child friendly lunch box style options. This was too far for our little ones to walk so we had to opt for a closer cafe. It really doesn’t take much for a cheese sandwich & some apples / raisins to be offered at each outlet � when kids are hungry, they’re hungry! Very pricey & lack of recycling bins for our high volume of plastic cutlery & paper plates.

I love Kew Gardens and have been a member for several years now, however we have had a few bad experiences in the cafes, especially the Orangery cafe on Easter Sunday where the service was appalling and the waiting time at tills was beyond a joke. Twice I have emailed about this and have yet to receive a reply even though they promise to respond within a few days.

It's such a lovely place to spend a day but not when buying a cup of tea becomes such hard work!

This is the second time we have come to Kew Gardens to try and go up on the tree top section. It is the second time in a row that the lift has been out of order. Please can you put the lift status on the internet as there is no way to find out over the weekends. One of the main reasons for our visit and no alternative for wheelchair users.

My partner and I visited Kew Gardens yesterday. She, a gardener, for the first time. It was a glorious sunny day and we were anticipating great things but, I am afraid we were dissapointed. The Palm house was, as it always has been, an overwhelming abundance of palms et all but not a single insect to be heard or seen and the layout of the flower beds infront were what I call 'municipal' in their rigid layout and choice of flowers. My partner was astonished by the array of so many varieties of trees to be seen but suprised by the lack of hardly any wild aread. Indeed it must take an army of gardeners to keep the thousands of metres of grass mowed so short and neatly. Why? There was a general air of conformity and neatness. Why? The Temperate House, newly refurbished was wonderful but again not an insect to be heard or seen. Do they spray?

I think the Royal Botanic Gardens do a magnificent job but I had the feeling they are sticking to Victorian principles of order and conformity. I know the research undertaken and the preservation of threatened species is essential and is carried out in an incredibly effective way at Kew. However, surely in this day and age could there not be, at least, a wild flower meadow, more wild areas and and...?



i am sorry to be disparaging but we were left dissapointed after our visit. Westonbirt National Arboretum in Gloucestershire will be where we will go, in future, to see a wide variety of trees and wildness.

Kew Gardens, the actual garden is wonderful - absolutely stunning, brilliant science and conservation, everything you would expect and more. But oh dear, the cafes are full of polystyrene plates, plastic cups with lids, straws, plastic cutlery, its just a terrible, terrible example of a lack of joined up thinking. Its not just that it creates an enormous amount of waste, but that it tells anyone visiting that its ok to use these things at a time when most other outlets are phasing them out. It sets such a bad example for an organisation that prides itself on conservation. I couldn't believe how bad it was and there are no other options - no china plates or cups if you're eating in. Hence the fair rating.

Visited on 6th May on what turned out to be one of the hottest bank holidays on record. Queues were very long as not all kiosks were open which we found ridiculous. There is not enough places on the far side of the gardens for even a drink of water. My daughter tried to get the children something to eat as we were still there around teatime, she waited in the very long queue for something and as she finally reached the counter she was told that he was closing , even though there was plenty of food still available. She did manage to buy some food after complaining. We all felt that not only are there a lack of places for food and drink, but some of the little kiosks around were shut ! Also where are all the rubbish bins around the gardens ? We think the staff were totally unprepared for the amount of people that came to see the newly restored glasshouse. More kiosks for just drinks are needed and so are recycling bins for all the plastic you should not be giving out with the food !

Kew gardens - what happened? We travelled over 2 and half hours to get here for 11.30am. Overcrowded - yes it's half term. But so awfully awfully managed. Little or no staff available for questions, 3 people serving at the food counter in the totally swamped restaurant, a cold stale lunch of fish and rice, no crowd control in the tiny green houses with people going every which way, numerous broken and filthy toilets. Been planning to visit here for many months and I'm bitterly disappointed

Had a really disappointing day. Visited on good Friday, it rained all day ( I know that out of anybody hands ) My grandson loves Peter Rabbit but the tent area was water logged. Nothing was moved inside for the children. Due to the rain we got the train from the gate to the restaurant and I was charged £20! For 4 adults - it was about 10 minute journey. That was on top of the money I had already paid to get in. I found the restaurant very over priced.