5 Reasons to Visit Kew Gardens in the Autumn

Kew Gardens is a popular South-West London attraction, especially in the spring and summer but don’t underestimate visiting in the autumn. Here’s why…

Just 30 minutes from Central London is the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. The park is home to the worlds largest botanical and mycological plant collection in the world! There really is no other place quite like it.

After a day wandering around the gardens you’ll have discovered tropical palms, beautiful bonsai trees, a water lily wonderland, a conservatory full of cacti and so much more.

Here are just 5 reasons to visit Kew Gardens in the autumn (though there are many more!) I promise you won’t regret it.

1. To avoid the crowds

When the sun is shining and the weather is mild, locals and tourists alike flock to parks and outdoor attractions. Kew Gardens is world famous and attracts people all over, especially during the summer months. As a result it can get really, really busy!

Although the park is huge, its only once summer is over that the crowds die down.

When we visited at the end of September there were times we felt like we had the park to ourselves! There are so many wonderful spaces you can hide away for a relaxing moment to yourself.

2. To watch the colours turn

One of the best things about autumn is when the leaves turn from green to yellow, gold, orange and red.

Wherever you look in Kew Gardens you are surrounded by trees, but no where more so than in the Arboretum which is made up of a whopping 14,000 trees, many of them dating back to the 18th century!

Visiting during autumn means you get to truly appreciate the changing seasons and the crisp golden leaves.

The Treetop Walkway is especially beautiful at this time of year.

3. To collect conkers

This is definitely one for those of you with kids! Though, some of us never grow up! Jon came home with pockets full of shiny conkers. Supposedly they will keep the spiders and moths out of the house…we shall see.

The conker trees are mainly between the Japanese garden and the Treetop Walkway but we found conkers throughout.

An autumnal scavenger hunt would be a great way of spending the day with kids.

4. To warm up in the greenhouses

I definitely think you appreciate the staggering heat of the Palm House, Water Lily House and Princes Diana  Conservatory when you visit in the cooler months.

You will need to strip those layers off! I couldn’t believe how the temperature soared when we cloned the stairs of the Palm House and walked along the balcony.

For a few moments we were totally transported to somewhere tropical but we were very happy to cool off when we stepped outside.

5. To get in the mood for Christmas

There’s one particular part of Kew I don’t think you appreciate unless you visit in the run up to Christmas and that’s the Holly Avenue.

There are so many varieties of the holly bush to discover. It certainly got me in the festive spirit!

By the time we ended up at the gift shop I couldn’t help but purchase a few gifts for Christmas. I may have treated myself to some Christmas-y chocolate too!

Pin it for later

Whether you’re a local or visiting London from afar, Kew is well worth adding to your list of things to do in the capital. Make sure you’ve bookmarked this post for your next trip.

And don’t forget to take your camera. There are so many wonderful photo opportunities.

Have you ever visited Kew Gardens? Which was your favourite part?