Kew Gardens - a little piece of paradise (Kew Gardens)

Member Name: KLockwood75

Product:	Kew Gardens
Date:	25/02/09 (85 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Stunning gardens, fresh air and a break from city life

Disadvantages: Can be a bit expensive, especially if you eat there

Kew Gardens is one of my favourite places to spend a day, especially in summer when we can take a picnic, spread out on the grass by the lake and just enjoy the relative peace and tranquility of it all (I say relative because it's on the flight path so you do get some noise from the planes passing overhead). We go every couple of months, sometimes more often, as we are 'Premier Friends' and so can get in for free.

Getting there
Kew Gardens is located just south of the River Thames in Kew, south-west London. It is accessible by tube (District Line), national rail or bus and it is also possible to park for free on the surrounding streets from 12pm each day. There are two main entrances - the Victoria Gate which is nearest to the station and the Main Gate which is near Kew Bridge.

Opening Times and Prices
Kew Gardens is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm each day, with extended hours from the end of March. It costs £13 for adults and is free for children under 17 when accompanied by an adult. The concession price is £12.

The Gardens
Kew Gardens is a beautiful place which appears different every time we go there due to the changing seasons. At the moment, the theme is 'Tropical Extravaganza' (until 8th March), the highlight of which is a spectacular display of orchids and other tropical blooms in the Princess of Wales Conservatory - definitely worth seeing! There are three other main greenhouses - I love the Palm House with its lovely setting in front of the lake, and the vast canopy of palm trees and rainforest plants inside. The Temperate House is also worth a visit and the Evolution House is very interesting as it tells the story of how our world evolved - my 2 year old is convinced that the dinosaurs live in there! You can also visit Kew Palace for an additional charge - I have never done that as it's not really practical with a buggy - but I have heard good reviews of it. You can also ride on the Kew Explorer which runs round the gardens, or join one of the many guided walks.

Some of my other favourites parts of Kew are;
The Lake and particularly the bridge across it - we love looking for the nests and seeing all the ducklings and cygnets in Spring
The Japanese garden near the pagoda - this is a spot of real tranquility and it is a beautiful place to just sit and daydream
The Treetop Walk - this was new last year and gives you a completely different perspective of the gardens from way up high.
The Rock Garden near the Princess of Wales conservatory - this is still relatively new and it's been great watching it change every time we go as the plants become more established
The azaleas and rhododendrons in late spring - these are really beautiful.

Facilities for Children
As a mum to a 2 year old, this is obviously important for me (feel free to skip this bit if you haven't got kids though). My son loves Climbers and Creepers which is an indoor play area designed to teach children all about the natural world - it has giant fly catchers, slides, interactive exhibits and is really well thought out. There is also an excellent shop next to it with a wide range of nature-themed children's products. There are children's lunchbox meals at all the eating places at Kew (although you might be as well to take your own picnic) and a good amount of baby-changing facilities. I think the best bit for children is just the chance to run around in a safe environment and enjoy being outside in the fresh air.

Facilities
There are four cafe / restaurants at Kew. The one at the Victoria Gate is mostly tea, coffee and cake and is always really busy - the cakes are lovely though! The Orangery and Pavillion Restaurants have a selection of hot and cold food - the Pavillion tends to be quieter as it is a bit off the beaten track. White Peaks near Climbers and Creepers tends to be full of families and does chargrilled food and jacket potatoes. There are shops at Victoria Gate (gift shop and garden centre) and a shop at White Peaks (Kids and Gifts). Both shops have some lovely things and are well worth a visit.

In summary, I love Kew Gardens. It is a great day out for the family and we always enjoy it there. I like that fact that it is constantly evolving so you always see something new - whether it's catching sight of a peacock wandering round the lawns, a new family of chicks on the lake or a gorgeous flower that you've never noticed before - no visit is exactly the same.

Summary: Pick a sunny day, take a picnic and enjoy!