Are Kew Gardens worth it?
Yes — at £17 for a UNESCO botanical site you can spend 4–6 hours in, it's outstanding value. Pick a clear spring or autumn day and head straight for the Treetop Walkway.
📍Richmond, London TW9 3AE
Our pick: Standard Entry · Free cancellation
Bottom line — are Kew Gardens worth it?
Yes — at £17 for a UNESCO site you can easily spend 4-6 hours in, it's outstanding value. Pick a clear spring or autumn day, arrive at opening, and don't miss the Treetop Walkway.
Quick Facts
- Opening hours
- 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (varies by season)
- Location
- Richmond, London TW9 3AE
- Age suitability
- All ages — strong for families
- Wheelchair accessible
- Yes — most paths step-free
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation (most tickets)
How we scored the Kew Gardens
Our method£17 for an entire day in a UNESCO site is a steal. Most visitors spend 4-6 hours.
Palm House, Treetop Walkway and the Hive are highlights. Beautiful in every season.
Rarely crowded thanks to the sheer size — 300 acres swallows visitor density.
Best on a clear spring or autumn day. A genuine highlight if you have the time to head out to Richmond.
Best time to visit the Kew Gardens
Live forecastKew Gardens is largely outdoor — slots below combine crowd levels with the live weather forecast.
- 10am🌦️Drizzle, 11°CGreat
- 12pm☁️Cloudy, 10°CGreat
- 4pm🌦️Drizzle, 9°CGreat
Typical hour-by-hour →
Spring (April–May) is unbeatable for the cherry blossoms and bluebells. Mid-week mornings are quietest.
Best Kew Gardens tickets, compared
All London attractions →| Ticket Type | What's Included | Price from | TripScore | Our Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
RECOMMENDED Standard Entry Full-day garden access |
| £17 per adult | 8.4 Best Overall | View tickets → |
Kew + Kensington Palace Combo ticket |
| £48 per adult | 8.0 | View tickets → |
What visitors say
Visitor reviews currently unavailable for this attraction. See ticket options for partner-specific ratings.
Why the Kew Gardens is worth it
- ✓UNESCO World Heritage Site with 50,000+ plant species across 300 acres.
- ✓Victorian Palm House and Temperate House are among the best glasshouses in the world.
- ✓Treetop Walkway 18m above the canopy — incredible perspective on the gardens.
- ✓Easily a full day out — great value for the £17 ticket.
Common Kew Gardens mistakes
- ✗Underestimating the size — 300 acres is a lot of walking, wear comfortable shoes.
- ✗Visiting in winter without checking which glasshouses are closed for renovation.
- ✗Missing the Treetop Walkway — it's near the back and easy to skip.
- ✗Going on a rainy day when Kew is mostly outdoor — pick the weather carefully.
How the Kew Gardens compares
Other top London attractions ranked by TripScore.
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Yes: around £14 for an hour past Big Ben, St Paul's, the Tower and Tower Bridge is London's best-value sightseeing. Go one way to Greenwich on a clear afternoon.
Kew Gardens FAQ
Are Kew Gardens worth visiting?▾
Yes — at £17 for full-day access to a UNESCO site you can easily fill 4-6 hours in, it's one of London's best-value attractions. Especially strong in spring and autumn.
How long do you need at Kew Gardens?▾
Plan for 4-6 hours minimum. The site is 300 acres — most visitors don't see all of it. Treat it as a half-day or full-day outing, not a quick visit.
What's the best season to visit Kew Gardens?▾
Spring (April-May) for cherry blossoms and bluebells, autumn (October-November) for foliage. Summer is beautiful but busier. Winter is the weakest unless you love the glasshouses.
How do you get to Kew Gardens from central London?▾
Tube: Kew Gardens station on the District Line (~30 minutes from central London), then a 5-minute walk. Trains from Waterloo to Kew Bridge are faster.
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People also ask
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Our pick · From
£17 · Standard Entry
Last reviewed · Editorial verdict by tickets.uk editorial team · Structured feed