Kew Gardens

A journey inside this unique collection is a chance to experience the beauty and diversity of forests around the globe. Stretching across two-thirds of the Gardens, the Arboretum surrounds our glasshouses in a leafy enclave for you to walk, wander and discover.

The 14,000 trees rooted here represent more than 2,000 species, including rare and ancient varieties. This great collection contains trees as old as the Gardens themselves, many that cannot be found elsewhere in Britain.

A dramatic valley carved through the landscape with wild-collected plants from six mountainous regions of the world. Originally built in 1882, the Rock Garden is over an acre in size, making it one of the oldest and largest in the world. It has undergone major changes and developments in its lifetime, most recently the eye-catching waterfalls unveiled in 1994 and the Alpine House landscape in 2007.

With ten computer-controlled climate zones, the Princess of Wales Conservatory is a glassy labyrinth leading you through a series of fascinating ecosystems. There’s a new surprise at every corner of this winding glasshouse. Take in spiky cacti and succulents as you travel through the dry tropics and emerge into the dense, steamy zones where tropical orchids and bright bromeliads come alive.

The most compelling tree-top experience in the UK - Kew's Rhizotron and Xstrata Treetop Walkway takes you under the ground and then 18 metres (59ft) up in the air, bringing you close to trees in a way that will take your breath away.

The 17th-century gardens behind Kew Palace are guaranteed to restore flagging spirits, as the plants here were mainly cultivated for their medicinal properties. Take a stroll around and discover many herbal varieties that we still use today. In the summer, you'll also find a host of aromatic plants from the Mediterranean region, including lavender, sage, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.

This is home to the UK's largest collection of bamboos, which range from the well-known lofty pole varieties to wispy, variegated species. Dominating the garden is the Minka House, an authentic Japanese farm dwelling dating from the early 1900s and reconstructed at Kew Gardens.

Explore the beautiful Kew Palace and uncover its intriguing stories, from its origins as rich merchant's house to royal home of George III and members of his family. Highlights include George III's daughters' doll's house and an extraordinary Jigsaw cabinet containing some of the earliest jigsaw maps in existence - used to teach geography to the royal children.

1 April to 30 April 2024: Daily, 10 am to 7 pm (last entry 6pm)

1 May to 31 August 2024: Weekdays, 10 am to 7 pm (last entry 6 pm) / Weekends and Bank Holidays, 10 am to 8 pm (last entry 7 pm)