Royal Botanic Gardens – Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens has the world’s largest collection of living plants and is an internationally important botanical research and education institution with 700 staff. The living collections include more than 30,000 different kinds of plants, while the herbarium, has over seven million preserved plant specimens.
Kew Gardens has a treetop walkway, galleries and listed buildings to enjoy. There are 4.5 acres of gardens under glass to explore and these are kept at a constant temperature of 27 degrees Celsius. Visitors get the chance to browse through the thousands of plants kept in eight glasshouses, where you will see giant lily pads, an exotic rainforest in the Palm House and travel through ten climatic zones in the Princess of Wales Conservatory.
Kew Gardens are very family-friendly, offering 500 acres of open space, interactive trails, a large dedicated children’s garden for ages 2 to 12, an indoor “Climbers and Creepers” play area for ages 3 to 9, and the “Treehouse Towers” playground for ages 3 to 11. Other fun activities include walking high in the trees on the Treetop Walkway, exploring “The Hive” sensory experience, riding the Kew Explorer land train, following natural log trails, visiting the giant lily pads, and seasonal events like Christmas at Kew. Family-friendly food options, including the dedicated Family Kitchen, are available.
Fun Things to Do for Kids
• Children’s Garden: A large, specialized area designed for ages 2 to 12 with climbing frames and water features.
• Climbers and Creepers: A botanical-themed indoor play zone with slides and climbing frames, ideal for younger children (3 to 9).
• Treehouse Towers Playground: An outdoor adventure playground suitable for children aged 3-11, offering swings and climbing structures.
• The Hive: A massive, interactive structure featuring audio-visual effects that simulate a beehive.
• Treetop Walkway: An 18-meter-high walk through the trees offering panoramic views.
• Badger Sett: A human-sized tunnel system where kids can crawl through, modeled on a badger’s den.
• Log Trail: A natural, outdoor balancing and climbing trail for older children.
• Kew Explorer Land Train: A hop-on-hop-off train, which is a fun way to explore the huge grounds.
• Glasshouses: The Palm House and Temperate House offer exciting, warm jungle-like environments for children to explore.
• Seasonal Events: Special activities during school holidays, such as easter trails and the Christmas light trail.
• Family Kitchen: A restaurant designed specifically with families in mind.
Family Facilities
• Baby Changing/Toilets: Facilities are located throughout the gardens and near all main attractions.
• Buggy Parks: Dedicated, secure areas to leave strollers, particularly at The Hive.
• Accessibility: Most of the Gardens are level, allowing for easy access with buggies.