Kew membership FAQs

Have a question? View our FAQs below, or contact our membership team today.

Visitors walk over the Lake Crossing

Kew membership categories and prices

Which membership should I choose?

We offer a range of options to help you find the most suitable Kew membership:

  • Adult membership: For one adult, plus one family guest each time you visit
  • Joint adult membership: For two adults living at the same address, plus one family guest per adult each time you visit
  • Family membership (1 adult): For one adult and up to four children aged 4–15, plus one family guest each time you visit
  • Family membership (2 adults): For two adults living at the same address, and up to four children aged 4–15, plus one family guest per adult each time you visit
  • Young Person membership: For one young adult aged 16 to 29, with no guest access. Anyone aged 16 or under must be accompanied by an adult when visiting the gardens

How much does Kew membership cost? 

Pay by Direct Debit and you save £10 on all membership options. It is secure, easy to set up and involves less admin for the Kew membership team – hence the saving.

  • Adult membership
    £77 by Direct Debit. £87 by card or cheque
  • Joint Adult membership
    £107 by Direct Debit. £117 by card or cheque
  • Family (1 adult) membership
    £87 by Direct Debit. £97 by card or cheque
  • Family (2 adults) membership
    £117 by Direct Debit. £127 by card or cheque
  • Young Person membership
    £32 by Direct Debit. £42 by card or cheque

What is a family guest?

A family guest is a member of your family or your partner.

Will you refund the cost of my day ticket if I become a Kew member?

You can redeem £20 off the cost of your membership (any category except Young Person membership) on the day of your visit or within 30 days of your visit.

To redeem the discount onsite you will need to present your adult ticket to a member of our Visitor Host team. To redeem the discount after your visit you will need to contact our Customer Service team (020 8332 3200) with the details from your adult ticket.

Please note, this offer applies to all adult tickets except for our special £1 Universal Credit and Pension Credit tickets.

Do the children covered by a family membership have to be part of my family?

They do – either your children or grandchildren.

Membership benefits

What are the benefits of becoming a Kew member?

Your annual membership includes:

  • Unlimited entry to Kew Gardens and our wild botanic garden Wakehurst, for you and a family guest (family guest access not included in Young Person membership)
  • 10% discount on our beautiful range of products – from plants to jewellery – at our garden shops and the Kew online shop (some exclusions apply)
  • 10% discount on hiring Kew venues for special events such as weddings and parties (subject to conditions)
  • 5% discount on selected Kew talks and courses throughout the year
  • Priority booking for selected events and a range of exclusive member events and activities
  • The award-winning Kew Magazine
  • Your monthly e-newsletter

Kew members benefits are subject to restrictions and change. For full details, please see our terms and conditions.

How do I get my 10% discount in Kew’s shops?

To save money on our wide range of plants, seeds, tools, homeware, jewellery and more, simply show your Kew membership card in our shops or enter your membership discount code at shop.kew.org. Full-price products only, some exclusions apply, please check that items are available for discount before purchase.

You can find your discount code in your welcome email and member e-newsletters. Look out for occasional extra discounts in our monthly e-newsletters too. 

For full details, please see our terms and conditions.

How do I arrange my 10% discount on venue hire?

If you are planning a special event such as a wedding or private party, we have a range of iconic venues to help you create an unforgettable day.

Your 10% discount is available from Monday to Thursday between April and October, and all week the rest of the year. To find your perfect venue, call 020 8332 5641 or email venues@kew.org. Remember to mention that you are a Kew member.

How do I get my 5% discount on talks and training courses?

You can join special events at Kew throughout the year – from botanical drawing or Tai Chi in the Gardens to specialist horticultural training. Enter your membership discount code when you book to get your 5% discount on courses.

Which events offer priority booking for Kew members?

As a Kew member you can buy tickets for events such as Christmas at Kew and Glow Wild at Wakehurst before anyone else. 

How do I access digital editions of the Kew Magazine?

Kew members receive free access to digital editions of the Kew Magazine, with over 100 searchable back issues of the magazine to enjoy.

To download your digital copy of the Kew Magazine for the first time, you will need to register first. To register, simply follow these easy steps:

  • Visit the Exact Editions website
  • Enter your membership number as your subscription reference
  • Enter your email address, set up a password and download your chosen issue

If you have already registered, simply choose the edition of the Kew Magazine that you wish to read by searching here, and log in when prompted.

Becoming a member of Kew

How do I become a member?

The easiest way to start enjoying the many benefits of membership is to become a member online. You can also join at the kiosk in Victoria Plaza or at any entry gate, or by calling 020 8332 3200.

When will I receive my membership card?

It can take up to six weeks for your personal membership card to arrive by post. In the meantime, we give you a temporary card, receipt, or email confirmation, so you can come for your first visit as soon as you would like.

How long does my membership last?

Membership starts on the day you sign up and lasts for a full year. You can find the expiry date printed on your membership card, and we will write to you when your membership is due for renewal.

The easiest way to renew is to pay by Direct Debit – your membership will automatically renew every year, and you save £10.

Payment and personal details

When is my Direct Debit payment collected?

On or after the 21st of the month. Your first payment could be in the month you join or in the following month, depending on when you begin your membership. We send you a letter with the exact date at least ten days before taking any payment.

How can I cancel my Direct Debit?

Should you wish to cancel your Direct Debit, you can do so at any time by contacting your bank. If you do cancel, please email membership@kew.org to let us know too.

Is it a problem if I change my bank?

Not at all. If you change your bank using the Current Account Switch Service, all Direct Debits will be carried over automatically. If you would like to change your Direct Debit manually, please call us on 020 8332 3200 with your membership number.

How do I change my personal details?

If you want to update your address, email or any other details, please email your membership number and the change you wish to make to membership@kew.org.

Renewing and changing your Kew membership

How do I renew my membership?

If you opt to pay for your membership by Direct Debit, then your membership will renew automatically. We will still write to you a month before your renewal to allow you to cancel, or make changes to, your membership.

Direct Debits are easier and cheaper for us to process, that is why members who pay by Direct Debit save £10 on the cost of their membership.

If you opt to pay for your membership by another method, we will send you a letter explaining how to renew at the start of the month your membership is due to expire. If you want to renew at any time before this, you can renew online or in person at one of our entrance gates.

Can I change my membership?

Of course. If you want to upgrade to a Family membership or Joint membership, you can do so online or speak to staff at any of our entry gates who will guide you through the process and let you know the costs involved.

Can I cancel my membership?

We hope you will come and visit Kew again and again as the seasons change. If you do want to cancel your membership, you can do so by contacting us at membership@kew.org. Please be aware that we do not offer a refund. If you pay by Direct Debit, you will need to contact your bank to cancel it. 

Visiting as a Kew member

Do I need to bring my Kew membership card with me?

Yes, you will need to scan your card at one of our entry gates to come into the Gardens. You also need to bring ID, which may be requested when you enter the gardens.

Young Person members will be required to show a photo ID, which includes their date of birth, every time they visit the Gardens.

Why do you scan my card?

Scanning cards ensures we know exactly how many members are visiting us and when.

Will I need to queue to get into the Gardens?

We do everything we can to ensure that all our members are able to enjoy their day at the Gardens with minimum delay, but in busy periods you may need to queue for a short time. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer priority entry.

Can I lend my Kew membership card to a friend or family member?  

No, only the person named on the card can use it. To help protect against your card being used fraudulently, staff at the Gardens may ask to see proof of ID.

Can I bring additional guests with me?

Adult and Family (1 Adult) members can bring a family guest with them when they visit the gardens for free. For our Joint Adult and Family (2 Adults) members, each individual on the membership can bring a family guest for free when they visit.

Kew members (including Young Adult members) who visit with more guests than those eligible for free visits under their membership, can purchase adult day visitor tickets for friends and family at a concessionary price. Simply show your Kew members card before buying tickets and then show your guests around all the places that make Kew special for you.  

Lost cards

I’ve lost my Kew membership card. What do I do?

Email us at membership@kew.org and we will send one free replacement card to you within four weeks. Do try to keep your replacement card safe; we reserve the right to charge for the cost of membership card replacements.

Kew gift membership

How does Kew gift membership work?

When you buy a Kew membership as a gift, the recipient can visit Kew Gardens and Wakehurst as often as they like, for a year. 

All our membership packages are available as gifts, so you can buy a Kew gift membership for an individual, a couple or a whole family.

How do I buy a gift membership?

You can buy membership gift vouchers online or at any of the shops in the Gardens.

If you buy online, it takes around a week for your gift voucher to arrive by post.

Young Person membership

Who is Young Person membership for?

Anyone aged 16 to 29 is eligible to become a Young Person member.

All Young Person members must bring photo ID which includes their date of birth every time they visit the gardens.

Can Young Person members bring a family guest for free when they visit the gardens?

Young Person membership does not include family guest access.

What happens when I am no longer eligible for Young Person membership? Will my membership automatically be upgraded?

Young Person membership will be automatically upgraded to an Adult membership at the first renewal after the Young Person member turns 30, you will be reminded of this prior to your renewal at the Adult price.

Can all Young Person members visit the gardens on their own?

Anyone aged 16 or under must be accompanied by an adult when visiting the gardens. So, Young Person members who are 16 years old will need to be accompanied by an adult during their visits.

Wakehurst membership

Are Wakehurst members able to visit Kew Gardens?

Yes, Wakehurst members can visit Kew Gardens for free, once each year. Please bring your Wakehurst membership card with you.

I’ve lost my Wakehurst membership card. What do I do?

The team at the Visitor Centre at Wakehurst will be happy to help you.

Do not worry, you can still park for free at Wakehurst if you lose your card – just make sure you validate your ticket at the Visitor Centre.

Get in touch

The team at our Kew members kiosk at Victoria Plaza can help with any questions about membership.

Alternatively:

Email: membership@kew.org
Write: Membership Office, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AE
Phone: 020 8332 3200 (9.30am–5pm Monday to Friday)

A visitor looks at the Temperate House from the spiral staircase

Become a Kew member

Enjoy unlimited entry to Kew Gardens and support our vital science work by becoming a member today.