As spring comes into full bloom, the city of London has a great many beautiful outdoor offerings for green fingered guests of London hotel special offers with breakfast to take advantage of. As an official “green” city, London consists of around 16 to 18% public green space, meaning that there are plenty of opportunities to explore the great outdoors of the English capital.
Much of London’s richly layered history ingrained within its gardens. From Kensington Gardens near the Signature Town House Hotel London to the hidden depths of Richmond Park, there are many ways for visitors to enjoy the great outdoors, and none more vibrant and extravagant than Kew Gardens in West London. This blog will outline everything you need to know about visiting Kew Gardens, and some of its key attractions.
History Of Kew Gardens
Also known as the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew, Kew is located beside the River Thames and situated within the borough of Richmond. Once home to Kew Palace (now burnt down), the gardens began life as homesteads for aristocrats and royal courtiers throughout the 16th century, the most notable of whom was a young Mary Tudor, whose house was within what was then known as “Kew Fields”.
Spanning 300 acres, the gardens slowly became a popular place to socialise for the wealthy of London thanks to its proximity to Richmond Palace (demolished in the 17th century) and the merging of Kew and Richmond estates became the basis for the gardens as we know them today. The gardens were established as a place for the study of botanics in the Victorian era, and is now home to almost 9 million plant and fungal specimens.
Getting To Kew Gardens
Guests of London family hotel special offers can reach Kew Gardens via the Kew Gardens District Line and Overground Line station. The station itself dates back to the 1860s and its structure has been grade listed due to its legacy as one of the first tube stations in the city.
Opening And Closing Times And Prices
Visiting Kew Gardens between February and October costs £17 in advance and £21.50 for on the day tickets. These are the peak times in which to visit the beautiful 300 acre botanic garden. Off-peak times cost £12 in advance and £14 on the day, with off-peak running from November to January.
Landmarks And Attractions
Guests of hotels close to Hyde Park London will find plenty to do in Kew Gardens, with significant landmarks including the Great Pagoda, built in 1762, which incorporates 80 gilded wood dragons atop its roof and was restored in 2018 through the use of 3d printing technology.. Other landmarks include the Temperate House, a huge conservatory that houses 10,000 plants from 1500 species that are native to Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Other must-see attractions include the Japanese landscape, built from three different gardens reflecting the botany of Japan as well as the humid Palm House, which includes many plants that are either endangered or extinct in the wild.
