There are many iconic sights to see in London; Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Palace to name a few from a very long list.
But somehow, the gardens at Kew Palace seem to go unnoticed. Located not very far out of the city centre in Richmond this world renowned botanical garden offers an incredible amount to visitors.
Kew Gardens is actually a globally respected scientific institution for its plant and fungal research- and that’s not all. The Gardens are home to 300 hundred acres of incredible plant life, from an arboretum to a cactus garden you’ll find something amazing here.
Getting There
Although it may seem out of the way when viewed on a map, it is actually incredibly easy to get to Kew Gardens from your Hyde Park accommodations.
A short walk to Paddington Station from one of the best 4 star hotels Paddington London UK has to offer, The Park Grand Hotel, and then a quick jaunt on the District Line will bring you pretty much to the gates of the Gardens. Simple!
Things to See
You may be wondering at this point just what is it that makes this place so special?
Well, here is a list of the top 5 things you can see and do at Kew Gardens:
The Great Pagoda
Completed in 1762, this pagoda stands at an incredible 163 feet tall and offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
Climb the 253 spiral steps to the top and admire the stunning gardens from a great height.
The Japanese Landscape
This amazing area is actually made of three gardens: The Garden of Peace, The Garden of Activity and the Garden of Harmony.
Each with its own theme and style, this gorgeous oasis of peace and tranquility is one of the best gardens in London. You’ll also find a stunning, ornate Japanese gate in the middle with some mind blowing wood carvings.
The Temperate House
The Temperate House is the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse and was opened in 1863.
With at least 10,000 plants from all over the world and a maze of paths weaving through them, this incredible building will quite literally leave you awestruck.
The Treetop Walkway
You’ll find over 14,000 trees at Kew Gardens, not contained to the arboretum, but spread across the grounds. There are rare trees that are protected species, trees from exotic places and gorgeous examples of indegenous British trees.
And the best way to experience these giants is by ascending into their canopy on the Treetop Walkway.
The walkway is 60 feet in the air and stretches for 656 feet through the leaves.
Adventures at Kew
Kew Gardens is a great place to explore for the day, and the list above is just a small sample of what’s on offer in these incredible gardens.
From your Hyde Park hotels you’ll be perfectly situated to enjoy this natural paradise and then return in time for a pre-dinner drink at one of the best bars near Hyde Park, housed in your very own hotel; the Park Grand Hotel.