Kew Explorer

The Kew Explorer

Enjoy a tour on the Kew Explorer. Learn more about plants, the Gardens' history and Kew's vital work.

Winter Ticket Offer: Adult £2 (regular price £4) and Child (under 17) £1.  Tickets are valid throughout the day of purchase.

By purchasing a ticket you are helping to support Kew's work in saving the world's plants for life.

The Kew Explorer is a hop-on/hop-off land train which normally operates a daily service throughout the year.

Kew Explorer ticket holders are able to get on and off at any of the stops around the route.

There is space for one fixed wheelchair in the back carriage of each vehicle and ample room for storage of folded-up wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Kew Explorer Route

We have taken note of comments from visitors and our driving team and slightly changed our route. We hope the amended tour helps to give you an enjoyable day at Kew and we appreciate your feedback.
Please see details of the attractions at each of our seven stops around the route, and see our route map below.

The Kew Explorer route goes to the following stops :

Stop 1. Victoria Gate - for the Victoria Plaza Shop & Garden Shop, Victoria Terrace Café. A fantastic selection of exclusive gifts available from the shop.
Plants & People exhibition in Museum No.1  |   Palm House - the world-famous tropical glasshouse and tropical display.   |   Waterlily House

Stop 2. Temperate House - the largest glasshouse at Kew, housing the world's biggest indoor plant   |   Evolution House - dramatic landscape showing how plants have evolved over 3.5 billion years  |  Pavilion Restaurant  |   Rhizotron and Xstrata Treetop Walkway  |  Marianne North Gallery  |  Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art

Stop 3. Lion Gate (the closest gate to Richmond)
Japanese Gateway and Landscapes - a replica of the 16th-century Gateway of the Imperial Messenger |   Pagoda - 10-storey Pagoda designed by Sir William Chambers.

Stop 4. Queen Charlotte's Cottage (open weekends April - September)  |  Conservation Area & Woodland - lake & wildfowl. Glorious display of bluebells in spring  |  Sackler Crossing  |   Waterlily Pond  |  Stable Yard - a viewing platform for Kew's compost area   |   Stag Beetle Loggery and Badger Sett

Stop 5. Vistas. Bamboo Garden - traditional Japanese Minka House  |  Rhododendron Dell  - stunning colour in late spring 

Stop 6. Brentford Gate car park. Riverside Walk - walk amongst fine oaks alongside the River Thames | White Peaks - enjoy snacks and buy gifts in Kew's family shop | Climbers & Creepers - interactive play area for children aged 3-9 years |  Treehouse Towers - outdoor play area for children

Stop 7. Main Gate and the Orangery. The Orangery - delicious meals, teas, snacks and evening venue hire  |  Kew Palace and Kew Palace Welcome Centre (open 2 April - 25 September)  |  Queen's Garden - Nosegay Garden, Parterre and Summer House  |

Nearest stop for the Princess of Wales Conservatory - ten climatic zones, seasonal displays and aquatic display  |  Davies Alpine House  |  Rock Garden  |  Order Beds  |  Bonsai House  |  Kew Gardens Gallery  |  Secluded Garden  |  Grass Garden  |  The Nash Conservatory  |  Ice House  |  Woodland Garden  |  Wollemi pine

Explorer tickets may be purchased from the Kew Explorer Driver, ticket gates, Kew shops and online. The main boarding point is Stop 1, close to Victoria Plaza. The first Explorer of the day leaves Stop 1 at 11.00am. Services then normally run on the hour, with an additional service on the half hour in the peak season. Services arrive at Stop 1 approximately 10 minutes after leaving Stop 7. There is then a 20 minute wait before continuing.

We recommend that you check schedules when you purchase your ticket in case of any seasonal fluctuations. During severe weather conditions the service is liable to disruption - to confirm that it is running please call +44 (0)20 8332 5655/5615.

 Large Explorer route map (jpeg)

Hire the Kew Explorer

The Kew Explorer is also available to hire as part of wedding or venue hire packages and school groups. Tours and commentary can be tailored to suit your event and guests can board and alight from the vehicle at pre-arranged, convenient locations. The Kew Explorer is available for private hire in the morning from 9.30am to 10.30am and later in the day, from 5.30pm onwards. For prices and further information please call +44 (0)208 332 5617 or email kewexplorer@kew.org.

If you require any further information on the Kew Explorer, please contact the Kew Explorer Manager:

RBG Kew Enterprises Ltd, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 8332 5617 (during weekday office hours) / Fax: +44 (0)20 8332 5632
Email: kewexplorer@kew.org
At weekends, please leave a short message and your phone number on +44 (0)20 8332 5615 or call our visitor info line on +44 (0)20 8332 5655.

Advice and comments from passengers are most welcome. Please contact us if you need special assistance or have any queries.

Kew's Discovery Bus

Kew also offers tours for groups and individuals with particular needs due to limited mobility, sight loss, learning disability and deafness.Our specially adapted mobility bus 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. Find out more about the Discovery Bus here.