Venue Information
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, usually referred to as Kew Gardens, comprises 121 hectares of gardens and botanical glasshouses between Richmond and Kew in southwest London, England. "The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew" and the brand name "Kew" are also used as umbrella terms for the institution that runs both the gardens at Kew and Wakehurst Place gardens in Sussex. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is an internationally important botanical research and education institution with 700 staff and an income of 56 million pounds for the year ended 31 March 2008, as well as a visitor attraction receiving almost two million visits in that year. Created in 1759, the gardens celebrated their 250th anniversary in 2009. The director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is responsible for the world's largest collection of living plants. The organisation employs more than 650 scientists and other staff. The living collections include more than 30,000 different kinds of plants, while the herbarium, which is one of the largest in the world, has over seven million preserved plant specimens. The library contains more than 750,000 volumes, and the illustrations collection contains more than 175,000 prints and drawings of plants. The Kew site includes four Grade I listed buildings and 36 Grade II listed structures in an internationally significant landscape.
Map
Transport
By Tube
Kew Gardens Station (District Line (Richmond branch), London Overground) is the closest London Underground station, and is in zone 3. From Kew Gardens Station it is a 5 minute walk to Kew Gardens (Victoria Gate entrance). Exit the station past the parade of shops, cross Sandycombe Road and walk down Lichfield road (opposite) to reach Victoria Gate.
By Train
Train services (South West Trains) from Waterloo, via Vauxhall and Clapham Junction, stop at Kew Bridge station. From Kew Bridge station it is a 10-minute walk to Kew Gardens (Elizabeth Gate entrance).
By Car
Kew Gardens is located at Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, and 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. From the west : -Take M4 (exit Junction 2) or A4 -Upon reaching the Chiswick roundabout, follow signs to Kew Gardens to join the A205 and cross the River Thames at Kew Bridge -Turn right immediately after the bridge on Kew Green, and then right down Ferry Lane to reach the Kew Gardens car park From north London: -Follow the North Circular until you reach the Chiswick roundabout, then follow directions from here as above From the south or west: -From the M3 continue on the A316 -Upon reaching the Richmond roundabout, fork left on to Kew Road (A307) -You will then see the Pagoda to your left and then the wall on your left which is the boundary to the Gardens -There is limited parking along the Kew Road here after 10am, closest to Victoria Gate and Lion Gate -Alternatively, to reach the car park (TW9 3AF), continue along this road and upon reaching Kew Green turn left and follow the signs From the South Circular Road: -Follow the South Circular Road past Kew Retail Park and under a railway bridge -At the next traffic light junction, where the A307 joins from the left, go slowly through the junction and immediately turn left into Kew Green (NOT sharp left into the A307, as this is no left turn)
By Bus
Route 65 stops close to the entrance gates. Route 391 stops near Kew Gardens Station. Routes 237 and 267 stop at Kew Bridge station.
Parking
The Kew Gardens car park (TW9 3AF) is near the Brentford Gate, which is reached via Ferry Lane, a narrow turning off Kew Green. Please note that parking is limited: the car park takes 300 cars. The Parking fee is 6 pounds 50 pence for the day. There is no charge for motorcycles and mopeds. The car park closes half an hour after the Gardens close. Free parking is also available on Kew Road (A307) after 10am every day. From here the nearest entrance is Victoria Gate. This road is congested at peak times, so it may be easier to come via public transport. Please note that parking restrictions apply on most of the residential streets around Kew and on parts of Kew Road, please check parking restrictions carefully.
Accessibility
Wheelchair Access
Most of the buildings in the Gardens have level access for wheelchairs, and the Gardens themselves are largely flat with tarmac paths in most places. Wheelchairs are available free at all the gates on a first come, first served basis. There is usually a good supply available and some visitors like to bring their own cushion. You can leave the chair at any gate when you leave the Gardens. There is no wheelchair access to the following parts of the Gardens: -Marine display in the Palm House basement -Upper galleries in the Palm House and Temperate House -Upper levels of the Princess of Wales Conservatory
Guide Dogs
Guide dogs or registered disability assistance dogs are all welcome. Please ask for water at any of the catering outlets. We regret that other dogs are not allowed in the Gardens.
General Access Info
If you require further information, please contact Kew on 0208 332 5655 9am-5pm Mon-Fri or email info@kew.org