How to find 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. The Tube (London Underground) is the best way to reach Kew Gardens from central London. Buses serve those living north or south of Kew (Ealing down to Kingston) and the neighbouring suburbs. From north London, London overground trains run directly to Kew Gardens station.
Travelling by London Underground ("Tube")
To Kew Gardens station (travelcard zone 3)
District Line (the green one, take a Richmond train, not Ealing
Broadway or Wimbledon)
Frequency: Monday to Friday, every 10 minutes. Saturday, every 15 minutes.
Sunday, every 20 minutes.
We recommend using the TFL Journey Planner if you plan to come to Kew using public transport
Travelling by train
London Overground Services: North Woolwich, West Ham, Stratford, Highbury and
Islington, West Hampstead, Willesden Junction, Gunnersbury, Kew
Gardens, Richmond.
Frequency: Monday to Saturday, every 20 minutes.
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
Rail or Tube travellers from central London who have mobility difficulties will find it easiest to go first to Richmond Station then change to a train or Tube going back to Kew Gardens; by doing this they can avoid the stairs at Kew Gardens station.
Tel: +44 (0)8457 484950 for train information or visit the National Rail Journey Planner.
For journeys within London, and connecting tube or bus services, use the TFL 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 (Picadilly 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), and they may also be fastened to railings 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 Assocociation (Upriver) Ltd, between Westminster and Kew and beyond, run between April and October.
Route: 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.
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 and flagpole 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 £5.00 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.