Which Gate to Use

Kew Gardens covers over 300 acres and there are four entrance gates. The following points should help to explain which gate is most suitable for your visit.

Palm House visitors
Kew's Palm House, near Victoria Gate

Victoria Gate:

  • closest to the Kew Gardens underground station (District Line) and overground (North London Line) (5-10 minutes walk, 400 metres)
  • adjacent to the Victoria Gate is the Victoria Plaza which has a shop, cafe and toilet facilities
  • Victoria Gate is probably the most convenient for popular attractions such as the Palm House (100 metres from the entrance) and the Princess of Wales Conservatory (about 200 metres)
  • you can pick up the Kew Explorer service at Victoria gate, free daily guided Tours also start here
  • parking is sometimes available on the Kew Road outside the gate (see parking information above), however there are no drop-off areas or dedicated disabled parking spaces outside this gate
  • bicycle racks are available

Main Gate:

  • the Main Gate is closest to the Kew Bridge mainline rail station (about 10-15 minutes walk, 800 metres), there is a drop-off  area right outside Main Gate, and disabled spaces only a short distance from the gate (see parking information above)
  • the Main Gate is closest to Kew's Orangery Restaurant and Kew Palace (both about 200 metres from the Gate), it is about 300 metres from the Princess of Wales Conservatory, and 0.5km from the Palm House
  • bicycle racks are available

 

 

Pagoda

Brentford Gate:

  • Brentford Gate is adjacent to Kew's Ferry Lane car park. Disabled spaces are available (see parking information above)
  • about 5 minutes walk (300 metres) from the White Peaks Cafe and Climbers and Creepers children's play area (300 metres)
  • about 800 metres from the Palm House and 700 metres from the Princess of Wales Conservatory
  • is convenient for visitors arriving at Kew Pier on Thames River Boat services from Westminster
  • bicycle racks are available

Lion Gate:

  • Lion Gate is the only gate in the southern part of the Gardens, and is therefore much further from the popular attractions such as the Palm House, Princess of Wales Conservatory and the Climbers and Creepers children's play area, it is however closest to Kew's Pagoda (200 metres from the gate) and the Pavilion Restaurant (400 metres)
  • this area of the Gardens is consequently much quieter with fewer visitors
  • the nearest toilets are about 300 metres from the Gate, at the Pavilion Restaurant 

Download Visitor Information map of Kew Gardens, showing Gate locations (pdf)

Visit Information