United Kingdom London Kew Gardens Entry Tickets

The Hive is a striking 17-metre-high immersive artistic installation at Kew Gardens that explores the extraordinary world of honeybees. Visitors walk inside and beneath the installation, which uses light, vibration, and sound to simulate the experience of being inside a beehive. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, it remains one of Kew's most popular and thought-provoking installations and is included in standard admission.

Kew Gardens is open daily throughout the year with hours varying significantly by season. In summer from May to August the gardens stay open until 20:00 at weekends with last entry at 19:00. In winter from November to February the gardens close as early as 16:00 with last entry at 15:00. Always check the official Kew Gardens website for the exact closing time on your specific visit date before travelling.

Yes, Kew Gardens is an exceptional destination for families. Children under 4 enter free and children aged 4 to 15 receive a significant discount. The Climbers and Creepers play area provides dedicated outdoor activities for younger children. The wide open lawns, the glasshouses, the Treetop Walkway, and The Hive all provide different and engaging experiences for visitors of every age. Free guided tours and family activity sheets are available throughout the season.

The key highlights of Kew Gardens include the Palm House, one of the greatest surviving Victorian glasshouses housing tropical plants including a 200-year-old Chilean Wine Palm; the Temperate House, the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse in the world; the Princess of Wales Conservatory covering ten climatic zones; the 18-metre Treetop Walkway; The Hive immersive installation; and Kew Palace, the charming royal residence within the gardens.

A minimum of 3 to 4 hours is recommended to cover the key highlights of Kew Gardens comfortably. The site spans 326 acres and a full day gives the most rewarding experience. Many visitors return multiple times throughout the year as the gardens change dramatically with the seasons, from spring blossom and summer borders to autumn colour and winter frost.

No. Christmas at Kew is a separately ticketed after-dark light trail event running on selected dates from November to January. It features illuminated woodland, artistic light installations, seasonal food stalls, and immersive soundscapes. Tickets sell out every year and must be purchased well in advance from the official Kew Gardens website. Standard daytime admission tickets are not valid for Christmas at Kew.

Kew Gardens is located in Kew, south-west London, TW9 3AE. The most convenient way to get there is by Underground on the District line to Kew Gardens station, which is approximately a 5-minute walk to the Victoria Gate entrance. South Western Railway trains from London Waterloo to Kew Bridge station also serve the gardens. The journey from central London takes approximately 30 minutes.

Yes. Picnics are warmly welcomed throughout Kew Gardens and bringing your own food is a wonderful way to enjoy the grounds. However, visitors are asked not to eat their own food inside the on-site cafes and restaurants, which are reserved for customers. The lawns, gardens, and open spaces throughout the 326 acres provide beautiful settings for outdoor dining at any time of year.