Planning a day at Kew Gardens? There’s a lot more to see than the Palm House!
I’ve been visiting Kew for years and I’m still discovering new corners, unusual details and places I want to come back to.
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON takes you through 10 of my favourite things to see and do at Kew Gardens, from the must-sees to a few spots you might otherwise walk straight past.
History of Kew Gardens: from royal garden to UNESCO site
Kew didn't start as a public park. In 1759, Princess Augusta, mother of the future George III, planted a botanic garden of about nine acres on the royal estate.
Sir Joseph Banks, back from Captain Cook's voyage, then filled it with plants from around the world.
By 1840 it had become a national botanic garden, and it slowly grew into the 300-plus acres you can explore today.
UNESCO added Kew to its World Heritage list in 2003.
10 best things to see and do at Kew Gardens
With more than 300 acres to cover, don't try to see everything in one go. Here are my eight favourites!
1. Explore the Victorian glasshouses
Kew's glasshouses hold one of the world's most important collections of living plants. There are three I never skip.
The Palm House
Decimus Burton and iron-maker Richard Turner built the Palm House between 1844 and 1848. It was the first large-scale structural use of wrought iron, which is why it still looks so light.
Inside it's hot, damp and packed with palms pressing against the glass. Climb the spiral staircase to the walkway under the roof and you're level with their tops.
Next comes the Temperate House
It's twice the size of the Palm House and now the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse in the world.
The roof is so high that tall trees fit underneath, and the upper gallery gives you the best view in the building.
My favourite detail there is the sculptures tucked between the plants along the aisles.
Finally, the Princess of Wales Conservatory
It packs ten climate zones under one roof. It's my go-to on cold days, because the tropical rooms warm you up in minutes.
Good to know: the Palm House is expected to close for restoration from 2027, so check kew.org before you go!
2. Climb the Great Pagoda and count its dragons
Sir William Chambers built the Pagoda for Princess Augusta in the 1760s. It's ten storeys high, with 253 steps to the top.
Look up at the roofs: 80 dragons are back in place after around 200 years away.
I climbed it on a clear day, and my legs felt every one of those steps!! But the view over west London made up for it.
Heads-up: the Pagoda opens seasonally, so check it's open before you plan your climb.
3. Step inside Kew Palace, Britain's smallest royal palace
It's easy to walk past this red-brick house without realising it's a palace.
Kew Palace was built in 1631 as a merchant's home. George III bought it in 1781 as a nursery for the royal children.
Inside, the rooms feel surprisingly homely for a palace.
Queen Charlotte died here in 1818, and the house tells the story of George III's family during his illness.
Don't miss the Queen's Garden behind it, planted with species grown in the 1600s or earlier. In early summer, the laburnum pergola turns into a tunnel of yellow flowers.
Like the Pagoda, the palace opens seasonally, so check before you go.
4. Find the Japanese Gateway, Kew's hidden gem
This is my favourite quiet corner of Kew.
Chokushi-Mon, the Gateway of the Imperial Messenger, is a near-replica of a gate at Nishi Hongan-ji temple in Kyoto. It was made for the Japan-British Exhibition at White City in 1910.
The gate stands just a short walk from the Pagoda, but most visitors head straight for the tower and don't notice it. That's why it's usually quiet, and why it's my favourite place to sit for a few minutes.
5. Walk among the trees on the Treetop Walkway
The walkway sits 18 metres up and runs about 200 metres through the canopy. It was designed by the architects behind the London Eye.
I'll be honest: I'm scared of heights, so I've never made it up there!!
If heights don't bother you, go up for me. Kids love it, because it feels like walking from one tree to the next!
6. Step inside The Hive
The Hive is a 17-metre structure by artist Wolfgang Buttress, first built for the UK Pavilion at the 2015 Milan Expo. It's a tribute to Britain's honeybees.
Around 1,000 LED lights inside react to activity in one of Kew's real beehives.
I found The Hive amazing, especially from below. I spent ages standing underneath, chasing the shadows of people walking over my head.
7. Catch an exhibition or festival
Kew runs events all year, and some are worth planning a trip around.
The Orchid Festival usually fills the Princess of Wales Conservatory in February, with a new country theme each year. I still remember the 2025 edition on Peru, with orchids hanging at every angle.
Big art shows appear across the gardens too, from Dale Chihuly's glass in 2019 to Henry Moore's sculptures, on until 31 January 2027.
In winter, the evening Christmas at Kew light trail is a London tradition of its own.
8. Enjoy the flora and fauna in every season
I've never visited a more beautiful park, whatever the season.
Spring brings cherry blossom along Cherry Walk near the Temperate House, and bluebells in the woodland. Summer is all about the Rose Garden and the long borders on the Great Broad Walk.
Autumn is my favourite, when the ginkgo trees turn bright yellow and the Japanese Landscape fills with red maples.
Keep an eye out for wildlife too, from herons by the lake to squirrels racing across the lawns.
9. Let the kids loose
The Children's Garden is the big hit with families, and it's included in your ticket.
Out in the woodland, there's also the Log Trail, made from trees brought down by storms, where kids can climb and jump.
Deeper in, the Natural Area's 37 acres of woodland are perfect for letting them run free.
10. Get lost in the Marianne North Gallery
Marianne North travelled the world alone in the 1870s and 1880s, painting plants in their natural settings. In 1879, she offered to build a gallery at Kew to show her life's work.
It opened in 1882, and today 833 of her paintings cover the walls from floor to ceiling, arranged by region of the world.
Look at the doorways too. She'd wanted to serve tea and coffee inside, and when that was refused, she painted a coffee plant over one entrance and a tea plant over the other.
Kew describes it as the only permanent solo exhibition by a female artist in Britain.
Tips for visiting Kew Gardens
Who will love Kew Gardens
Plant lovers, photographers and anyone who needs a break from central London will be happy here all day.
If you only want a quick stroll, a free park will suit you better. Tickets aren't cheap in peak season, and Kew rewards a slow visit.
How long to spend at Kew Gardens
Plan for at least four hours, or a full day if you want every glasshouse and a proper wander.
Glasshouses close earlier than the gardens, so do them first.
Wear comfortable shoes. There are no lockers or bag storage, so pack light.
Best time to visit Kew Gardens
Weekday mornings are the calmest, especially around Victoria Gate, which gets busy at weekends.
Check closing times before you go, because they get much earlier in winter.
Things to do near Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens station sits in a little village with cafés and shops, handy for a coffee before you go in.
Richmond is just one stop away, so you can add a walk up Richmond Hill or a wander in Richmond Park.
Across the river, Syon Park makes a good second garden if you still have energy.
Out of all the things to see and do at Kew Gardens, my favourite is simply wandering. Every visit, I spot something I missed before, like a dragon on the Pagoda roof or a quiet bench by the Japanese Gateway. That's why I love going back, season after season.
Pick a dry day, bring comfy shoes and let yourself get a little lost!
Feeling inspired? If you're planning a visit to Kew Gardens, I'd love to hear how it goes on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!
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Everything you need to know about Kew Gardens:
Address: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London TW9 3AE
Nearest station: Kew Gardens (District line and London Overground), about 500m from Victoria Gate
Tickets: Prices vary by season. Adults currently pay £17–£25 online (more at the gate), children aged 4–15 pay £2 online, and under-4s go free. Booking online is always cheaper.
Opening hours: Daily from 10am. Closing times change through the year, as early as 3.15pm in midwinter. Glasshouses are open 10am–5pm.
Good to know: The Pagoda and Kew Palace open seasonally (currently closed until spring 2027). The Palm House is expected to close for restoration from 2027.
Website: kew.org
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