Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens, located in Richmond is an attraction not to miss! If you’re someone who enjoys exploring the outdoors and seeing all sorts of nature in one spot, then Kew Gardens must be on your list. This beautiful botanic garden will keep you busy for the whole day, with 300 acres of gorgeous greenery and activities to keep you happy whether it be a romantic date, a family day out or a solo explorer. There are over 50,000 living plants across the site, so you’ll be sure to spot something you’ve never seen before.
Located in Richmond, Kew Gardens is very accessible. Parking is limited, but if you get there early or are lucky enough, it should not be a problem. There are four entrance gates to Kew Gardens, so deciding how you’re getting there would be the first step into choosing which gate. The Lions Gate Entrance is a 15 minute walk from Richmond Station, and the Victoria Gate is only a 5 minute walk from Kew Gardens Station. If you’re travelling by bus, you can catch the Route 65, 391, 237 or 267, all of which stop around the outskirts of Kew Gardens. Bikes are not permitted inside the Gardens, so you can leave it at one of the bike racks at each gate entrance.
The Palm House
The highlight of Kew Gardens for me, was the Palm House. The Palm House is a beautiful glasshouse which was built back in 1844, with a beautiful rainforest inside. Wear something cool though – it gets very steamy in there! This experience transports you right out of the hustle and bustle of London and into a hot, tropical burst of nature. The glasshouse contains rows of beautiful trees and plants from tropical destinations around the world, some of which are endangered.
Once you’ve had a walk around the Palm House, and got into the rainforest mood, make sure you walk up the beautiful spiral stairs to get a view from the top. It’s slightly cooler up there (believe it or not!) and gives a completely different point of view. Don’t forget to get the obligatory stairs photo too!
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As always, love Elise x
P.S. This post is part of a collaboration with Pingle. As always, opinions are my own and honest.