Kew Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew have an incredible 250 years of history (and counting), but they are also laying the groundwork for the future by creating not one, but two national bases for botanical study. Behind the scenes, experts are hard at work in offices and laboratories while you're strolling around the Victorian Palm House or looking for the lush flora (including the enormous, revolting Titan Arum in the Princess of Wales Conservatory).

Although the Gardens now cover a massive 300 acres, they began modestly in the backyard of the former royal palace, which George III favored most. Whether you enjoy green things or not, this place has a lot to offer. Visitors continue to enjoy visiting the opulent Victorian glasshouses, one of which, Temporary House, retains the distinction of being the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse.

In addition, it will soon reopen (at the start of May 2018) after a five-year renovation. If you wish to look elsewhere, how? Consider visiting the Tree Top Walkway. This hike through the leaves, which is 18 meters high, offers fantastic views of the surroundings. After you land, make your way to the Chinese Pagoda, which dominates the southern end of the Gardens and was constructed in 1762.

You're guaranteed to be inspired by the superb maintenance and diverse flora. The sculptures, which include Henry Moore's "Reclining Mother and Child" in a gorgeous setting that varies with the light of each season, might also be worth looking for if the flora aren't doing the trick. The Eduardo Paolozzi sculpture "A Maximis Ad Minima," as well as the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art and Marianne North Gallery, are all included in the general admission ticket, so the art alone might occupy the entire stay. There is always something blooming in Kew Gardens. You may be sure that even in the fall or winter, you won't only see a lot of stuff because the website has a specific "what to see this week" area.

• Best spot: If you want to nibble au naturel, hunt down the picnic benches in Kew’s woodland areas - they’re lovely.
  
  
• Need food? Kew Gardens has a few great cafes and restaurants that'll offer takeaway.
  
  
• Anything else I should know? Kew have gone super green and banned single-use plastic from its cafés and restaurants, and offer discounts if you bring a reusable coffee cup.

Google Rating: 4.7/5.0
Address: Royal Botanic GardensLondonTW9 3AB
Phone: 020 8332 5655
Opening hours:

• Mar 27-Aug 29 Mon-Fri 10am-6.30pm, Sat, Sun and bank holidays 10am-7.30pm;
• Aug 30-Oct 29 daily 10am-6pm;
• Oct 30-Feb 10 2017 daily 10am-3.45pm;
• Feb 11-May 25 2017 daily 10am-5.30pm.
• Closed Dec 24 and 25. (Last entry 30 minutes before closing, some attractions close earlier, check on arrival.)

Website: www.kew.org