Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond

It is worthwhile to spend time exploring Richmond's Royal Botanic Gardens, located on a stunning 330-acre property along the River Thames. These magnificent gardens, which are home to the greatest living plant collection in the world and can take the best part of a day to explore, are also known as "Kew Gardens" due to their proximity to Kew Palace, the former home of King George III.

Visits to the ancient Temperate House are among the entertaining activities offered at the Royal Botanic Gardens. More than 1,500 plant specimens from the Southern Hemisphere, many of which are endangered species, are shown in this enormous greenhouse, which was built in 1863. There are also 37 acres of woodland to explore, a beautiful Mediterranean garden with a temple constructed in the 1800s, and a fun play area for kids. While spring is a wonderful season to visit London, it's also the best time to see Kew Gardens' outdoor blooms. All seasons can be spent in the greenhouses. A great time to go is during the annual Christmas at Kew festival in the winter.