Planning a Visit

How to Find Us

Kew

Kew is situated on the south bank of the River Thames near Richmond, about 10 km south-west of London.

We encourage you to visit Kew Gardens via public transport for environmental reasons, and because it is usually more convenient as we have limited parking.

Travelling by London Underground

Kew Gardens station is the nearest to Kew Gardens and is in travelcard zone 3. From central London, the District Line train (destination "Richmond") stops at Kew Gardens station.

The London Overground line, from N and NW London also stops at Kew Gardens.

Transport for London information: To plan your journey visit Transport for London's Journey Planner. You can also find tube maps and live service updates on www.tfl.gov.uk. Alternatively, call TfL on +44 (0)20 7222 1234.

Further information for disabled visitors travelling on the tube is noted in our access guide.

Travelling by Train

Mainline train services with South West Trains from Waterloo stop at Kew Bridge station, just 10 minutes walk from the gardens.

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: Mon - Sat every 15 minutes. Sundays: hourly

For more information call +44 (0)8457 484950 or visit the National Rail Journey Planner.

Travelling 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 (Thames Trains), 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: Hampton Court (summer Sundays only), Fulwell, 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.

Travelling by bicycle

Bicycle racks are located just inside the Victoria Gate and outside the Main Gate (near phone box). There are also bicycle racks in Brentford Gate car park. Bicycles, like cars, are always left at owners' risk, and are not permitted in the Gardens.

Travelling by riverboat

Westminster Passenger Services Association (Upriver) Ltd, between Westminster and Kew and beyond, run between April and October. The route runs Westminster, Putney, Kew, Richmond, Hampton Court.

Day trips: it is not really practical to travel 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 (CHECK times with telephone number below). Passengers should ALWAYS check timings of return journeys from Kew and Hampton Court (all timings approximate due to tides and boats may be cancelled).

Tel: +44 (0)20 7930 4721 (Westminster Pier) for information and current times.

Further information for disabled visitors travelling on by boat is noted in our access guide.

Travelling 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 from 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 the 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!).

The RAC website provides the latest travel news and an online route planner.

Our address:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB

Parking for cars

There is a car park near the Brentford Gate, reached via Ferry Lane off Kew Green near the Main Gate. It will take about 300 cars so parking is limited. It costs £5 for a full day throughout the year. The car park closes half an hour after the Gardens close so is only suitable for day visitors.

Several dedicated parking bays are available for disabled drivers, for whom parking is free at all times. There are three further disabled parking bays adjacent to Main Gate on Kew Green.

Free parking is available on Kew Road (A307) after 10 am every morning. This provides easy access to our principal entrance at Victoria Gate, although please bear in-mind, this can get congested at peak times, so it may be easier to come via public transport.

Don't get towed or ticketed while in Kew!

Please note that restrictions apply on many of the residential streets around Kew and on parts of Kew Road. We would ask our visitors to check when they park and be considerate to the needs of local residents.

Parking for coaches

Coaches are advised to arrive at Victoria Gate and park on Kew Road (A307). Coaches are not allowed to park around Kew Green.

Local information

For information about other local attractions and for information regarding accommodation please contact Visit Richmond