Pictures of Kew
About Kew
Kew is just downstream from the delights of Richmond, and is best known for the Royal Botanic Gardens, or as they are more popularly known 'Kew Gardens'. The gardens are set in a site of some 300 landscaped acres, with some spectacular buildings. 17th-century Kew Palace is perhaps the most modest but charming of all Royal residences and Kew village is charming too. But it is the great beauty of the Gardens that causes thousands of visitors to flock here year after year. They come from every corner of the earth to see and admire the beauty and strangeness within Kew for it's plantation and earthen beds form part of London legend.
The first nine acres of gardens were laid out by Princess Augusta, some 220 years ago, and they began to flourish during the reign of her son, George III. The 19th-century botanist, Sir Joseph Banks, worked closely with the head gardener William Aiton to lay the basis for the wonderful collection that now exists. Royal patronage continued, even after the gardens came into public ownership in 1841. Conserved for all to see, within the gardens, is a gift from Queen Victoria - the Queens Cottage and Grounds.
Within the heady delights to be explored; the largest living collection in the garden is the Arboretum, where species of trees and shrubs live harmoniously. The Tropical and Palm Houses do indeed house rare and wonderful species from all over the globe. Great clusters of Alpines grow amongst sandstone outcrops and by the side the stream of the Rock garden. There is a pretty woodland garden which provides a quiet retreat but it is the magnificent flower boarders of the herbaceous area that does nothing less than provide the visitor with constant delight.
This is a magical place and never looks more-so than in the wintertime when all is lit with fairy lights, it is then that gardens and buildings alike, take on a dream-like quality. In the summertime, the air is heady with the perfume of grasses and flowers and this too, is sheer enchantment. If you did'nt know, who could imagine such a wonderous place existed within a stone's throw from London. Kew is intoxicating, go once and you are sure to want to go again!
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Kew
| Kew Palace | (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) | Pictures |
| Kew Royal Botanical Gardens | (0.6 miles, 0.9 km) | Pictures |
| Chiswick House | (1.0 miles, 1.7 km) | Pictures |
| Syon House | (1.3 miles, 2.2 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| London Wetland Centre | (2.3 miles, 3.8 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Marble Hill House | (2.6 miles, 4.1 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Twickenham | (2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Olympia | (3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Holland Park | (3.7 miles, 5.9 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Earl's Court Exhibition Centre | (3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Kensington Palace | (4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Brompton Cemetery | (4.3 miles, 7.0 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| All England Tennis Club, Wimbledon | (4.6 miles, 7.3 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Hyde Park | (4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| The Natural History Museum | (4.8 miles, 7.8 km, direction E) | Pictures |
All attractions in KewAll attractions in Greater LondonComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Kew
Ealing, in the county of Greater London (2.2 miles, 3.6 km, direction N)
Ealing is a thriving place which is now hugely cosmopolitan and has a wide range of multi-cultural offerings.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Hammersmith, in the county of Greater London (2.8 miles, 4.4 km, direction E)
Hammersmith developed around the River Thames, which is crossed via a graceful suspension bridge designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Fulham, in the county of Greater London (3.2 miles, 5.1 km, direction E)
It is the home to both Fulham Football Club and Chelsea, both play at Premiership level, thus some of the football's most talented and highly paid stars can often be spotted strolling along Fulham's streets.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Notting Hill, in the county of Greater London (4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction NE)
This area of London is known throughout the world as the scene of London's biggest annual street party.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Kensington, in the county of Greater London (4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction NE)
The attractive Royal borough of Kensington has many special places. Most prominent is Kensington Palace, birthplace of Queen Victoria.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Chelsea, in the county of Greater London (4.8 miles, 7.8 km, direction E)
Chelsea is a district in London which in recent times gained fame as the 'home' of the 'swinging sixties' . The swinging sixties was defined on the Kings Road, which runs the length of the area and both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones lived here at one time.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Mayfair, in the county of Greater London (6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction E)
Mayfair has it all, it is the haunt of the rich and famous, with elegant houses and apartment buildings that are the sole province of the wealthy.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
East Molesey, in the county of Surrey (6.4 miles, 10.2 km, direction SW)
This picturesque pleasant place is fortunate to lie between the waters of the historic River Thames and the River Mole. It is perhaps best known for Hampton Court Palace, the building started by Cardinal Wolsey in 1514.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Marylebone, in the county of Greater London (6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction NE)
Marylebone is one of London's more affluent area's, it is home mostly to the well to do, and yet only a couple of centuries ago a large workhouse was built here to give shelter to the poor and homeless, often foundlings were discovered on the workhouse doorstep.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Piccadilly, in the county of Greater London (6.6 miles, 10.5 km, direction E)
One of the Capital's most noted places, Piccadilly sweeps uphill with handsome houses on one side and Green Park on the other.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Westminster, in the county of Greater London (6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction E)
Of all the jewels in the City of Westminster, none shines more brightly than Westminster Abbey, stunning setting for the coronation of almost every English monarch since William the Conqueror was crowned there in 1066.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
London, a Historic City in the county of Greater London (7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction E)
London is one of the World's most exciting, cultural destinations where visitors can walk with history whilst enjoying all that...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Camden Town, in the county of Greater London (7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction NE)
Camden town is a vibrant cosmopolitan region of London.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
St Pancras, in the county of Greater London (7.7 miles, 12.4 km, direction NE)
The name of the area is taken from the boy martyred in AD 304. Pancras was the orphaned Christian son of a Phrygian nobleman who was brought up at the court of the Emperor in Rome.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Shepperton, a Picturesque Village in the county of Surrey (9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction SW)
The charming village of Shepperton was once the haunt of legendary highwayman Dick Turpin who is said to have visited the village's 400 year hostelry - the atmospheric Anchor Hotel overlooking Church Square.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in Greater LondonComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Kew Gardens Tube Station | (0.3 miles, 0.5 km) |
| Kew Gardens Station | (0.5 miles, 0.8 km) |
| Kew Bridge Station | (0.6 miles, 1.0 km) |
| M4 Junction 1 | (0.8 miles, 1.3 km) |
| Gunnersbury Tube Station | (0.9 miles, 1.4 km) |
| M4 Junction 2 | (1.1 miles, 1.8 km) |
| London Heathrow Airport | (7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction W) |
| Kew to London | (7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction E) |
| London City Airport | (15.0 miles, 24.2 km, direction E) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Kew
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Kew center |
| Coach & Horses Hotel | (0.2 miles, 0.3 km) |
| London Kew Premier Travel Inn | (0.6 miles, 1.0 km) |
| Holiday Inn London Brentford Lock | (0.6 miles, 1.0 km) |
| Chiswick Moran Hotel | (0.8 miles, 1.4 km) |
| The Red Cow | (1.4 miles, 2.3 km, direction S) |
| Shandon House Hotel | (1.4 miles, 2.3 km, direction S) |
| Quinns Hotel | (1.5 miles, 2.4 km, direction S) |
| Acton Town Hotel | (1.6 miles, 2.5 km, direction N) |
| Ealing Guest House | (1.7 miles, 2.7 km, direction NW) |
| The Chiswick Hotel | (1.7 miles, 2.8 km, direction NE) |
| All hotels in Kew |
