Description
Kew Gardens, officially the Royal Botanic Gardens, are situated in southwest London on the south bank of the Thames. Here some 30,000 plants are identified every year, more than 50,000 plants are grown and specimens and information are exchanged with botanists and botanical institutions all over the world. Here, too, the Brazilian rubber tree was adapted to the climatic conditions of the Malay peninsula, and here was developed the Marquis strain of wheat which made it possible to bring the prairies of northwest Canada into cultivation. The Herbarium contains a collection of over seven million dried plants and the Library has more than 50,000 volumes of botanical literature. The gardens were first laid out in 1759 on the initiative of Princess Augusta, mother of George III. In 1841 they became government property, and in 1897 Queen Victoria added Queen's Cottage and the adjoining woodland. In 1773 Joseph Banks, a botanist who accompanied James Cook around the world, became Director of Kew during George III's reign. At this time countless exotic plants were introduced into the gardens from expeditions to remote parts of the world. Under the direction of Sir William Hooker (1841), the Botanic Gardens gained worldwide renown.

A river cruise down the Thames is a particularly lovely way to get to the 300 acres of gardens.
Address
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Kew Road
Kew
Richmond TW9 3AB
United Kingdom
Website
Email
Hours
September 5 to October 29
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open9:309:309:309:309:309:309:30
Closed18:0018:0018:0018:0018:0018:0018:00
February 5 to March 26
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open9:309:309:309:309:309:309:30
Closed17:3017:3017:3017:3017:3017:3017:30
March 27 to September 4
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open9:309:309:309:309:309:309:30
Closed18:3018:3018:3018:3018:3019:3019:30
Always open, even if weekly hours indicate otherwise
Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (Last Monday, May)
Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (Last Monday, August)
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Cost
Adult7.50
Concession or reduced rate5.50
Child 16 & underFREE
Disabled in wheelchair5.50
All values are in local currency.
Tips
Hothouses close 5:30 p.m.
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Guided tour available as optional extra.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Transit
BritRail: Kew Bridge; Underground: Kew Gardens.
Attractions Near Kew Gardens / Royal Botanic Gardens, London