By car or coach:
Kew Gardens is well signposted from all the major local roads. The South Circular (A205) passes the north-east corner of Kew Gardens and Kew Road (A307) forms the eastern border. If coming from the west on the M4 (leave at Junction 2) or A4 take the A205 to the right (at the major Chiswick roundabout (A4 / A406 / A205) and follow the A205 across the River Thames at Kew Bridge.
If coming by the North Circular or from London on the A4 take the A205 southwards at the same roundabout. Immediately over the bridge turn right into Kew Green and park on the roadside in a permitted place or head into our car park accessed via Ferry Lane on the river side of Kew Green. If you miss the turnings or parking is difficult, continue to the next traffic lights on the A205 and fork right onto the A307 - then park (from about 500m onwards, after 10 am) on the right-hand side of Kew Road.
Coming from the south or west on the A316 or M3 motorway (which becomes the A316) turn left at the Richmond roundabout onto Kew Road (A307). You will see the Pagoda to your left - park in a permitted place, alongside the Gardens, on Kew Road.
Coming from the south on the South Circular Road you will pass Kew Retail Park and go under a railway bridge. Shortly afterwards, you will arrive at traffic lights where the A307 joins from the left, go slowly through the junction and immediately turn left into Kew Green (NOT back left into the A307 - it is a "no left turn" junction!).
By bicycle:
Bicycle racks are located just inside the Victoria Gate, outside the Main Gate (near phone box), and Brentford Gate car park. Bicycles, like cars, are always left at owners' risk, and are not permitted in the Gardens.
By bus:
Several buses come directly to the Gardens or stop at either of the two nearby railway stations, Kew Bridge and Kew Gardens.
No. 65: Ealing Broadway Station (First Great Western), South Ealing Station (Piccadilly Line from Heathrow), Brentford, Kew Green (for Main Gate), Kew Road (for Victoria Gate), Lion Gate, Richmond, Ham, Kingston.
Frequency: Monday to Saturday, every 10 minutes. Sundays, every 12 minutes.
No. 237: Hounslow, Isleworth, Brentford, Kew Bridge, Gunnersbury, Turnham Green, Stamford Brook, Shepherds Bush Green.
Frequency: Monday to Saturday, every 10 minutes. Sundays, every 15 minutes.
No. 267: Fulwell Bus Garage, Twickenham, Isleworth, Brentford, Kew Bridge, Gunnersbury, Hammersmith.
Frequency: Monday to Saturday, every 12 minutes. Sundays, every 15 minutes.
No. 391: Richmond, Kew Gardens Station, Kew Green (for Main Gate), Kew Bridge, Stamford Brook, Hammersmith, Fulham Broadway.
Frequency: Monday to Saturday, every 12 minutes. Sundays, every 20 minutes
By Tube:
Travelcard zone: 3
To Kew Gardens station
District Line (the green one, take a Richmond train, not Ealing Broadway or Wimbledon)
Frequency: Monday to Friday, every 10 minutes. Saturday, every 15 minutes. Sunday, every 20 minutes.
By train:
Travelcard zone: 3
London Overground Train Services: North Woolwich, West Ham, Stratford, Highbury and Islington, West Hampstead, Willesden Junction, Gunnersbury, Kew Gardens, Richmond.
Frequency: Monday to Saturday, every 20 minutes.
South West Trains: London Waterloo, Vauxhall, Queenstown Road (Battersea), Clapham Junction, Wandsworth Town, Putney, Barnes, Barnes Bridge, Chiswick, Kew Bridge, Hounslow, Isleworth, Syon Lane, Brentford.
Frequency: Daily, every 30 minutes.
Rail or Tube travellers from central London who have mobility difficulties will find it easiest to go first to Richmond Station then change to a train or Tube going back to Kew Gardens; by doing this they can avoid the stairs at Kew Gardens station.
By riverboat:
Westminster Passenger Services Association (Upriver) Ltd, between Westminster and Kew and beyond, run between April and October.
Route: Westminster, Putney, Kew, Richmond, Hampton Court.
Day trips: it is not really practical to travel by boat from Westminster to see Kew and Hampton Court in a day as there are insufficient services but, starting from Kew, the Gardens and Hampton Court can be combined in a day. The last boat from Kew leaves at 1.30pm for Hampton Court and back from Hampton Court at 3pm, 4pm and 5pm.
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Shops
The shops at Victoria Gate and White Peaks offer a wide range of botanically-inspired products, from which all proceeds go to support Kew's work in saving the world's plants.
Many items are exclusive to the Gardens, including kitchenware and stationery lines designed using illustrations from the Kew archives. Recycled products, toiletries, jewellery and a wide range of gifts are also available. Seasonal plants, bulbs and seeds are for sale in the Victoria Gate plant shop, together with practical gardening products, some of which are exclusive to Kew.
There is also a comprehensive selection of horticultural books for both the specialist and amateur.
Restaurants
The Orangery Restaurant:
Enjoy seasonal dishes in this elegant Grade 1 listed building. Freshly prepared main meals, speciality drinks and cakes.
Open from 10.00am until one hour before the Gardens close. Located close to Main Gate.
Victoria Terrace Cafe:
Take a break and try our wonderful organic coffee or a pot of tea at the Victoria Gate Coffee Shop. Enjoy a wide range of speciality teas, freshly made sandwiches and delicious cakes.
Open year round from 9.30am until half an hour before the Gardens close. Located in the Victoria Gate Visitor Centre.
White Peaks:
Dine both indoors and alfresco at White Peaks. Try delicious hot carved roasts in a bap, soups and sandwiches, childrens’ meals, coffee, tea and cakes.
Open from 10.00am until one hour before the Gardens close. Adjacent to Climbers and Creepers, White Peaks also has a shop.
The Pavilion Restaurant:
A firm favourite with our regular visitors, the Pavilion is a perfect location to enjoy lunch or afternoon tea with your family and friends. Enjoy a wonderful fresh salad bar, special children's menus a selection of seasonal dishes unique to the Pavilion and a barbecue in the summer months (closed November to March).
Visitors with Special Needs
Large-print map:
A large-print map, produced with the advice of the RNIB, is available at Ticket Offices and at the Victoria Gate Visitor Centre (Friends Desk).
Wheelchairs:
These can be borrowed free of charge from all the entry gates on a first come, first served basis. Attendants to push wheelchairs around the Gardens are not available. Owners' electric wheelchairs or pavement-use type mobility scooters limited to 4mph are allowed into the Gardens for use on the footpaths.
Access:
The footpaths and the majority of buildings in the Gardens are suitable for wheelchairs. There is, however, no wheelchair access to the Marine Display in the Palm House basement.
Electric Mobility Scooters:
We have eight mobility scooters available at Kew which can be borrowed free of charge. Due to the limited number available the scooters have to be booked in advance, telephone 020 8332 5121. The scooters are provided to assist visitors with limited mobility and therefore find it difficult to walk long distances, but who are otherwise able.
Toilet facilities:
There are a number of disabled toilets within easy reach of all the main attractions and gates: these are marked on the 'Discover Kew' leaflet (provided on arrival).
Visitors will need to show some form of ID (with photograph, or with home address, e.g. current drivers licence or recent utility bill) when collecting the scooter.
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