Kew Gardens in Winter – Ducks and Dappled Light

There is something particularly invigorating about Kew Gardens in the Winter. Everyone enjoys trudging through green and mud, buffeted by cold gusts of air and spotting adventurous crumb seeking ducks.

Kew Gardens in Winter is a Green Leafy, Pine Scented Oasis.

Is it worth Visiting Kew Gardens in Winter? Absolutely! Winter is the optimum time to visit Kew. Any wuss can visit on a balmy summer’s day with a picnic in hand. Or sit on an outside table sipping chilled white wine under a vine covered pergola. But it requires an explorer’s sense of adventure and spirit to go in the Winter when you are going to trudge through puddles, mud and duck poo.

Kew Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage site in West London. It’s a 9 acre site with many different themes and walks. Originally, the home and private gardens of King George III and opened to the public in 1840. Now a famed scientific institute for plant and fungal research.

Kew Gardens Winter Scenes

Green Spaces Are Good for the Soul

Kew Gardens Winter has something for every mood. If today is a day when you want palaces, the breathtaking Victorian palm house, and the Great Walk arrive at Victoria Gate and turn right.

You’ll also find views reminiscent of Constable paintings and a magnificent Orangery which is ideal for coffee with friends.

But if your instincts are for  a woodland walk through a densely forested area with, bark underfoot and the scent of pine turn left at Victoria Gate. The arboretum is  home to 14,000 trees and more than 2000 species.

What to Expect at Kew in Winter

January is perfect for visiting Kew. I am no fan of their hugely popular Christmas Lights extravaganza and by January they have removed the twisted tangle of illuminations hidden in plastic flowers, the fake reindeer, the arches of fairy lights.

In the winter months you can survey the vast acreage and with hardly anyone in sight.

Usually there will be a few media types who live locally, in mismatched athletic wear and bobble hats yelling production instructions into their phones while walking at pace, young mothers with their babies strapped close to their bodies using their phones to photograph the still waters with their mirror images of golden foliage and skeleton branches, women of a certain age in ancient ski wear “getting in their steps” and catching up with their walking companions.

But for all the mud and cold, and there is sometimes sun light, green lawns, bulbs peeking through brown earth, alert, inquisitive geese, oblivious ducks and tall trees that made you feel dizzy as you look up. a day at Kew feels like an adventure that is otherwise hard to come by at this time of the year.

Opening Hours

The Kew opening hours vary according to the month and January has the shortest opening hours with the gardens closing at 4pm and the last entry is at 3pm. You can check the opening hours here.

Toilet Facilities

Toilet facilities are dotted around the gardens and are also to be found in each of the cafes. These are heated and well maintained.

Cafes and Restaurants

Victoria Gate is the busiest of the cafes and serves sandwiches, coffees and cakes. It is the ideal location to meet someone as it is right next to the entrance.

The new Pavilion restaurant is more upmarket and has a grill. Their hamburgers and  grilled chicken with side dishes are very popular.

The Orangery is a popular meeting spot for locals and has a range of hot cooked food and cakes and drinks. Theres a nice outdoor seating area and picnic tables on the grass.

A newer restaurant is the privately owned The Botanist which has more pricy and mesmerising offerings including an Afternoon Tea on tiered stands with exotic tea choices. There are also comfortable sofas in the conservatory area which are ideal for lounging on while drinking hot chocolate and there is a nice view of the pond and palm house.

Kew Gardens Membership

Many local people purchase an annual Kew membership which costs costs £77 for a single adult for the year. One of the main advantages is that you can take in a family member free of charge. This makes Kew a perfect budget day out if the membership card is used frequently.

Day entry for an adult is currently £10. Check their website for more information. www.kew.org

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