Discovery Tours

Kew offers bus and walking tours for groups and individuals with particular needs due to limited mobility, sight loss, learning disability and deafness.

Discovery Bus Tours

Our specially adapted mobility bus with Volunteer Guide and Driver takes groups of up to 12 people seated, plus one permanent wheelchair user, on tours of the Gardens. The Discovery Bus provides excellent visibility, comfort, and year-round comfort and protection from the elements.

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Kew volunteer guides in front of the Discovery bus.

Programme

Tours are available on Tuesday and Thursday, morning and afternoon subject to driver and guide availability. Each tour lasts around 1 hour and takes in all the major sights and vistas including the remote wooded areas.

When the opportunity arises, the vehicle stops, giving passengers time to enjoy the surroundings in the comfort and safety of the bus.

Depending on the interests and abilities of the group, passengers may choose to get off the bus to visit one of the glasshouses en-route or stop at one of our catering outlets for lunch or tea.

Booking

  • tours are available morning and afternoon, on Tuesdays and Thursdays subject to Driver and Guide availabilitytours must be booked in advance and cost £30 per group
  • for every tour there will be a Kew Driver as well as a Discovery Guide to give you a commentary on board
  • we request that you ensure there are at least 2 carers per group.
  • to book a tour please call: +44 (0)20 8332 5643


Discovery Walking Tours

Guides

The Discovery Programme also offers Guided walking tours for groups and individuals with sensory and mobility concerns. Our Discovery Guides are specially trained to escort individuals and groups with visual impairment. We also have guides who can communicate in British Sign Language. We are always happy to escort individuals or groups in wheelchairs.

Booking

  • tours must be booked in advance and cost £5 per guide
  • one guide can take a maximum of five people including carers/buddies
  • if your group is larger than five we will need to assign additional guides
  • to book a tour please call +44 (0)20 8332 5643 or download and complete the Discovery Walking Tour booking form and return it to tours@kew.org

 

Visit information