Kew Gardens Things to Do

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This is an interesting Government Department to visit; and it is open to the public for the purposes of research, teaching and visiting. This is the official Government depository for official Records of England and Wales and some relating to the entire United Kingdom.

There is a coffee shop, a gift shop and lots of people researching their family histories.

It is free to enter.

I was very pleased to find there was no queueing! There were several ticket booths open and the staff were very friendly and helpful.

Adult tickets cost 10GBP, wheelchair users 7GBP, their essential carers go free.

Children are free too - but under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information about Kew Gardens and what's on check out their website.

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These lillies are huge I can almost picture a huge frog jumping from one to the other
The best time to see as many flowers open is early morning or evening, although these lillypads look like something out of a fairytale you will see no frogs here!

There was a display of various kinds of chilli and pepper plants for the medditarranean festival they must thrive in the hot humid conditions inside.

This house closes before the gates close so its advisable to get here early afternoon,
in summer the house closes at 5.30pm

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This beautiful piece of artwork is a replica of the Karamon in Nishi Hongan-ji in Kyoto, it is 4/5ths the size though. The intricate carvings depict flowers, animals & shows the devotion of pupil to their master.

This replica was created for an exhibition in London in 1910 so its taken a long time of restoration work & landed up at Kew.

The Zen gardens is beautifully landscaped.

In Kew you will find many unusual plants you've never seen before.
Monkey knew straight away that this was a monkey puzzle tree and again hopped out the bag for a photo moment.

Kew also has various themed plants for festivals they have on these change with the seasons

It is with awe that I sat in this area surrounded by really tall trees, you can almost sense the wisdom of these ancient trees - it is a calm area.

Also in this area is a walk called the Cedar vista which takes you up to the lilly pond. The Lilly pond was not as spectacular as I expected but then you are spoilt for choice after seeing the amazing water lilly house.

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This little cottage style garden has small pockets of places to sit and relax. There are poems about sight, scent, hearing and touch with corresponding plants to stimulate these senses.

The unusual water feature has been seen on the 2007 Apprentice series when they were searching for unusual shapes for a building. It is a very pretty part of the garden with a little stream running under a wooden bridge.

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Kew Gardens is about 300acres of pure garden heaven,
There are various glasshouses to visit & often artistict displays. Kew is always putting on some or other event so best check the website out before you go. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the grounds although there are restauants inside. You can go in & out of the gardens with your ticket so you can visit restaurants outside.

Ok it is not cheap but you can sometimes find entry 2 for 1 or buy 1 entry pay half price on second, on the web www.daysoutguide.co.uk which offer discounts with your train travel
Adults GBP11.75 children under 17yrs free accomponied by paying adult
Wheelchair users GBP8.75 carer free
Blind / Partially sighted free & carers free

Update prices July 2007 Adults GBP12.25 wheelchair users GBP10.25 local to the area why not buy a season pass

Glasshouses close earlier then the grounds. Grounds close 6.30 / 7pm during summer

Tickets to the pagoda can be purchased with your ticket £3 in a timed slot opening again 2009
The Kew explorer tickets are Adults GBP3.50 & children GBP1

Depending on the season the gardens close at different times so it is best to check the website before. You can easily spend a whole day here & still not see everything.