I love Kew, I do! (Kew Gardens)

Member Name: azana

Product:	Kew Gardens
Date:	16/02/09 (212 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A great place to visit

Disadvantages: You may have to drive through London to get there

I am just back from a trip to Kew Gardens, not my first by a long shot, but each and every time I go I find something new to see. I have been visiting Kew for over ten years now. I used to live nearby and visit on nearly a weekly basis but now that I live farther away I still like to pop back to this little oasis of green in South West London, which has more to offer than you might imagine. It is more than just a garden and there are a wealth of things to see and do.

Kew Gardens is celebrating 250 years of existence in 2009. Its history is long and chequered and started with Princess Augusta employing one William Chambers to develop the gardens. Today, as of 2003, Kew has been given World Heritage Site status, and has a conservation and research into plants role, but more than this the 300 acres are a great place to visit. Full details can be found on the official website; www.kew.org, but here I will aim to share my experience and give some tips of what to see and how to make the most of your day at kew.

Getting there:

Access from Richmond station is by the 391 or by the 65 from Ealing, or the gardens are probably a good 15-20 minute walk. The tube at Kew Gardens is a short stroll away. If you come by car and are not too nervous driving around London access is an easy 5 minutes from the M4 junction 2. If you do this I would advise you to arrive at 10am if you can to ensure you find a parking place easily, at this time you can park risk-free and for no charge on Kew road right next to the gardens, whatever you do make sure you park in the area allowed, I have seen rows of cars with penalty tickets on them on a Bank Holiday. The locals will tell you that the wardens are merciless, the locals are also the ones parked about 2cm maximum from the curb for the same reason - make sure you do the same.

Admission:

Many people will tell you that they remember the days when entrance was 1p. These days children are free, adults are £13 but you can often get 2 for 1 deals through South West trains, or I got a 20 percent discount by printing off a coupon from www.discountbritain.net. There are also "friends of kew" deals where you join for a year and get free tickets to take friends in too, if you are a local it is very worthwhile and helps support the gardens too. If you are going to make a day of it I think Kew is very good value for money, a non rainy day is best to visit but there is still plenty to do whatever the weather.

What to visit:

There is so much to do! The gardens are 300 acres large. You can happily just wander around with a picnic and look at the varied landscape gardening of Japanese gardens, rose gardens and many more too numerous to mention. There are no cars bar the garden staff (though bizarrely I did see John Craven being driven around with a film crew today), so it is relaxing though the peace is quite often shattered by the flight path which goes over the gardens - you can read the company names on the plane with ease!
If you haven't been for a long time you might think you know what there is to see - most people have heard of the famous glass houses which are definately a must on a visit, but Kew has added more jewels to its crown even in the time I have been going. The "Rhizotron and Xstrata Walkway" is a thrilling 18 metres climb onto a walkway in the tree tops that is bound to thrill (lift available for those not able to manage the steps). We couldn't visit the Rhizotron (where I believe you can see the roots of some trees) as a rather assertive peacock was guarding the entrance today, but we will go back to see this too.
There are various exhibitions to see as well, from paintings to interactive displays of what plants do, a pagoda to climb, a trip through the history of plants in the Evolution House, and much much more.
The leaflet that you are given on entering the gardens is very clear and gives you some indication of the highlights. They suggest you visit the aquatic displays if you have children in the Palm House and the Princess of Wales conservatory, I would agree this but say that the "Climbers and Creepers" which is meant to be "an interactive indoor play area" is the one disappointment in what is otherwise an excellent attration. It has been rather ill conceived; too babyish for older children, too dangerous for littlies, a guide did tell me today that it is being rejigged, I hope so.

Eating and drinking:

There are a number of different eateries around the gardens. These sell good quality items but at the kind of prices that South Londoners probably don't flinch at, but the rest of us might find a little expensive. I find taking a picnic works well, and supplementing it with a nice coffee or icecream.

Shops:

There are a number of gift shops, one aimed at children next to Creepers and Climbers and various other ones stocking plant connected items from pots to books to food. These are all rather good and prices are reasonable.

Special events:
Kew certainly has upped its game in this area. There are so many different events, some one offs and some annual. For the past few years there has been skating at Christmas and a petting farm visit at Easter, seeing the bluebells is a must. The annual orchid festival seems to have been renamed a "tropical extravaganza" and features beautiful Orchid displays. There are concerts in the Summer and the countryside fair is also a lovely event, as is the pumpkin festival. It is well worth checking what is on before you go. Kew has dared to be innovating in the exhibits that visit, in the time I have been going a Chihuly glass sculpture throughout the gardens caused much comment and was rather beautiful, there have also been African sculptures and I am sure many interesting things planned for the 250th year.

Overall:

Kew is a different visit every time I go. It varies so much with the seasons and events that are on. I have been in heatwaves where I have sat under one tree for the duration, I have spent entire days there with young children and relished the lack of cars and availibility of baby change areas and watched the world go by. I think Kew is a part of our British heritage that we should be proud of; its essence has been preserved whilst it also has embraced the 21st century in full.

Kew is a place for all people for all seasons - if you haven't been, what are you waiting for?!

Summary: World heritage site for a reason, a fascinating garden