to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
About
The Kew Explorer land train is a relaxed and gentle way to explore our Gardens and learn about our diverse living collection.
The route typically includes the following sites:
Stop 1: Victoria Gate for Victoria Plaza Shop and Café, Palm House, and The Botanical.
Stop 2: Mediterranean Garden for the Temperate House, Galleries, and Tree Top Walkway
Stop 3: The Japanese Gateway for Lion Gate, Pavilion Bar & Grill, and the Great Pagoda.
Stop 4: Natural Area for the Log Trail, Pinetum, and Lake Crossing.
Stop 5: Brentford Gate for the Car Park, The Children’s Garden and Orangery.
Severe weather conditions may disrupt service and from time to time we need to remove services or close a stop due to essential maintenance.
Please note, at peak times this popular service can be full and you may need to hop on the next train.
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Ticket | £6.50 per adult |
| Ticket | £2.50 per child |
| Essential carers | Free |
Buy tickets from the Explorer team at stop 1: Victoria Gate
Book Tickets Online
Facilities
Accessibility
- Disabled access
- Disabled toilets
- Wheelchairs available
Catering
- On-site catering
- On-site light refreshments
Children
- Children welcome
Groups
- Facilities for educational visits
- Facilities for groups
- Guided tours for groups
Parking
- Parking with charge
Property Facilities
- Dogs not accepted (except guidedogs)
- Gift shop
- Postbox
- Public toilets
Target Markets
- Coach parties accepted
Map & Directions
Road Directions
By car
Please note: Parking at Kew is extremely limited, with spaces in our car park available on a first come, first served basis. Please plan ahead if you are considering driving to Kew, as we cannot guarantee available space in our car park.
Kew Gardens car park (TW9 3AF)
Ferry Lane, near Brentford Gate.
- Limited parking available in the car park
- Parking costs £7 per day. You can pay on site, or with the paybyphone app.
- No charge for motorcycles and mopeds
- Blue badge holders park for free in disabled access parking spaces or other spaces if full
- Car park closes 30 minutes after the Gardens close
- The Herbarium car park will operate as a weekend overflow car park, opening at the point that the Ferry Lane car park gets full
Parking around Kew Gardens
- There is no parking allowed on Kew Road (A307) Check Richmond council website for parking updates.
- From Monday 3 May 2021, you will need to pay to park in visitor spaces at Kew Green using RingGo.
- Try the Just Park app to find parking near Kew Gardens.
- Restrictions apply on residential streets around Kew
- Three disabled access parking bays and drop-off area at Elizabeth Gate (TW9 3AB)
- There is no coach park at Kew
Richmond Athletic Grounds (TW9 2SF)
- Check out the Just Park app for Richmond Athletic Grounds. It's about 20 min walk to Victoria Gate. Please note: Kew Gardens is not affiliated in any way with Just Park
Public Transport Directions
By bike
We love to welcome cyclists to our Gardens.
There are bicycle racks at all four gates. At Elizabeth Gate and Victoria Gate, the racks are inside the gates behind the booths.
Bikes left outside our gates are left at your own risk.
We do not allow bicycles, tricycles, roller skates, skateboards, and scooters into the Gardens.
By bus
Route 65 stops close to Lion Gate, Elizabeth Gate and Victoria Gate.
Route 110 stops near Kew Gardens station and Elizabeth Gate.
Routes 237 and 267 stop at Kew Bridge station.
By train
Kew Bridge station is 800m from Elizabeth Gate, via Kew Bridge. South West Trains run services from Waterloo, via Vauxhall and Clapham Junction. There is no level access at Kew Bridge.
Richmond station has lift and level access. Take 65 bus (in the direction of Ealing Broadway) to Lion or Victoria Gate.
By tube
Kew Gardens station is 500m from Victoria Gate. It is in Zone 3 and is served by the District Line (Richmond branch) and London Overground.
There is no level access from the westbound platform. It is possible to continue one stop to Richmond and catch a tube back to use the eastbound platform which does have level access.
By boat
Thames River Boats operate a special service from Westminster Pier to Kew Pier.
Timings:
Westminster to Kew:
- 11am - 2.30pm
Kew to Westminster:
- 12.30pm - 3.30pm - 5pm
Sailing times may vary, check the Thames River Boats site for more information.
