Kew Gardens
Queen’s Garden
Designed to complement Kew Palace, the Queen's Garden is a quiet spot for a stroll and some history.
Queen's GardenRoyal Treasures
CLOSED Step back in time to explore the 17th century elegance of Kew Palace or the rustic charm of Queen Charlotte's Cottage.
We are sorry to inform you that this attraction is closed until further notice in line with government guidance during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
As king, he preferred his country estates to court life, spending many happy summers at Kew Palace with his wife Queen Charlotte and their 15 children. However, these periods of relaxation were shadowed by King George’s struggles with mental illness – suffering repeated bouts from his first episode in 1789 until a regency was declared in 1811. After Queen Charlotte died in 1818, Kew Palace was closed off.
Queen Charlotte's Cottage sits at the opposite edge of the Gardens from Kew Palace, tucked away in one of London's finest bluebell woods, part of which is over 300 years old.
A paddock adjoining the cottage was home to many exotic creatures, including a pair of black swans, buffaloes, the now extinct quagga (an animal similar to a zebra) and the first kangaroos to arrive in England.
Both residences were acquired by Kew in 1898 and opened to the public for the first time. Today the buildings are in the trust of Historic Royal Palaces.
Visiting the Royal treasures
We may occasionally need to close attractions for maintenance or visitor safety: Check for planned closures and visitor notices before you visit.
Nearest entrance
Elizabeth Gate
Hidden highlight
You may also want to visit the wonderfully preserved Royal Kitchens and Ice House close to Kew Palace, which offer an insight into servant life and culinary tastes in Georgian England.
Discover more of Kew
Kew Science
Fungus in Parliament: transcribing a slice of history
Volunteer transcriber Ben Hirschler finds some fascinating historical nuggets buried among the dried mushrooms in Kew’s Fungarium, the largest collection of fungal specimens in the world.
Fungus in Parliament
Plant grown from 203-year-old seed begins new life in the Temperate House
It's not only the Temperate House that's gained a new lease of life at Kew.
Plant grown from 203-year-old seed