Review: Kew Gardens

Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here?

A spectacular 500 acre garden in west London, Kew boasts one of the biggest and most diverse botanical collections in the whole world. There’s been a botanic garden here since the 18th century when it was a royal palace; today it’s not only a UNESCO World Heritage site with over a whopping 50,000 plants, it’s also just a really lovely place to visit. You can spend a whole day gently wandering along the winding paths through the lawns, trees, lake, Japanese garden, rhododendron dell, rose garden and kid’s play area, as well as popping in and out of the grand glasshouses. It’s a calming and tranquil place (as long as you avoid the playground on a school holiday) but you can also learn plenty about plants along the way.

Any standout features or must-sees?

The Palm House is the most iconic of all the glasshouses and is a must-visit: find the rickety metal spiral staircases up to the thin balcony to see the luscious indoor rainforest from above or wander beneath the canopy on ground level marveling at the humongous leaves towering overhead. Slightly less grand looking but just as magical is the Princess of Wales Conservatory with rooms full of cacti, delicate orchids and carnivorous plants. It’s well worth a walk to the lake with its stunning architectural bridge, as well as looking for the Great Pagoda, the Waterlily House and the Hive, a wonderful interactive humming recreation of a beehive.

Was it easy to get around?

With all the curving paths and crops of similar looking trees, it can be easy to get turned around but there are maps given out at the entrances as well as helpful signage throughout. The gardens are mostly flat and there are ramps into the glasshouses and the galleries but it can be a tight squeeze to get through the old doors. There’s also the Kew Explorer land train (£6.50 for adults, £2.50 for children) that gives you an educational tour around the garden and takes you back to the different entrances.

All said and done, what—and who—is this best for?

Kew is perfect for a heady dose of nature in a sometimes stifling city. You don’t need to be a tree-hugger or a plant expert to appreciate the beautiful green vistas and unusual plants, although keen gardeners will get a kick from meeting new fronds. Kids will love the wide open spaces and natural play areas, plus there’s plenty of cafes dotted throughout for snack stops (although these do get busy on weekends).