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How to get to Kew
These directions have been borrowed from the Web site of The Botanical Gardens at Kew and their ownership is acknowldged. The directions to 157 Mortlake Road are the same up to as far as the tube station. The main difference is that the Mortlake Road is on the opposite side of the tube station the Botanical Gardens. The directions will be eventually updated for 157 Mortlake Road.
Where is Kew?
Kew is situated on the south bank of the
river Thames near Richmond, South West London
Below is a summary of transport information if you wish to visit Kew by:
BICYCLE
BOAT (Summer)
BUS
CAR or COACH
TUBE and TRAIN
FOOT
Kew can be reached easily by car but we recommend public transport both for environmental reasons and because, at busy times, it is usually most convenient for tourists staying in London and for many Londoners. We have provided a lot of travel information below as a guide but timings are likely to change. So, if your itinerary is tight, please check with bus/train companies first
.
click on map above to enlarge
Road Access:The South Circular (A205) passes the NE corner of Kew Gardens and the Kew Road (A307) forms the eastern border. If coming from the west on the M4 (leave at Jct 2) or A4 take the A205 to the right (at the major A4/A406/A205 roundabout) and follow the A205 across the River Thames at Kew Bridge.
If coming from the North Circular or from London on the A4 take the A205 southwards at the same roundabout.
Immediately over the bridge (or at the next right turn) turn right into Kew Green and park on the roadside in a permitted place or head into our car park (£1.50 Summer). If you miss the turnings or parking is difficult continue to the lights and fork right onto the A307 - then park (after about 500m - 1500m) on the right hand side of the road.
Coming from the South or West on the A316 or M3 motorway (which becomes the A316) turn left at the Richmond roundabout onto the Kew Road (A307). You will see the Pagoda and flagpole to your left - park in a permitted place, alongside the Gardens, on the Kew Road.
Coming from the S on the South Circular Road - immediately after the A307 joins from the left - turn left into Kew Green (do not turn back left into the A307, it is a No Left Turn junction).
PARKING
Cars: there is a car park near the Brentford Gate, reached via Ferry Lane off Kew Green near the Main Gate. It will take about 300 cars.
It is also possible to park around Kew Green, this is no longer restricted at weekends and public holidays.
Coaches: space is available near Victoria Gate. Coaches are not allowed to park around Kew Green. Coaches are advised to arrive at Victoria Gate and park on the Kew Road.
Disabled drivers: parking is available near the Main Gate. There are also 3 dedicated spaces in our car park right next to the Brentford Gate.
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BICYCLES
Bicycles are not permitted in the Gardens.
Bicycle Racks: are located just inside the Victoria Gate and outside the Main Gate (near phone box). Bikes may also be fastened to railings in Brentford Gate car park. Bicycles, like cars, are always left at owners' risk.
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BUSES
Six buses pass Kew Gardens stopping at the two nearby railway stations, plus
Kew Green and Kew Road.
Tel: +44 (0)171 222 1234, for London Transport information.
No. 7 Route: Kew, Acton, East Acton, Ladbroke Grove, Paddington, Oxford Circus. Frequency: Sundays only, every 30 minutes.
No. R61 Route: Richmond, Kew Gardens Station, Mortlake, Barnes Common, Putney Common/Putney Hospital, Roehampton/Queen Mary's Hospital. Frequency: Monday - Saturday only, six journeys a day every 75 minutes.
No. 65 Route: Ealing Broadway Station, Brentford, Kew, Richmond, Ham, Kingston. Frequency: Monday to Friday, every 10 minutes. Saturdays, every 10 minutes. Sundays, every 15 minutes.
No. R68 Sunday Route: Kew Gardens Station, Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington, Hampton Hill, Hampton Court. Mon - Sat: Route: Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington, Hampton Hill, Hampton Court. Frequency: Every 15 minutes.
No. 267 Route: Hampton Court Station (summer Sundays only), Fulwell, Twickenham, Isleworth, Brentford, Kew Bridge, Gunnersbury, Hammersmith. Frequency: Every 15 minutes. Note: only includes Hampton Court on Sundays
No. 391 Route: Richmond, Kew Gardens, Kew Bridge, Stamford Brook, Hammersmith, Fulham. Frequency: Monday to Saturday, every 12 minutes. Sundays, every 20 minutes.
Buses to Richmond
391 from Kew Gardens Station and Kew Bridge (outside The Plough) or Kew Green.
65 from Kew Bridge (outside The Plough) and Kew Road.
R61 from Kew Gardens Station. Mon-Sat service only, six journeys a day, every 75 minutes.
Buses to Richmond: R61, 65, 391
Buses to Hampton Court: R68, 267 Sundays only see above
Buses to London: 7 Sundays only
Buses to Hammersmith: 267
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TUBES AND TRAINS
The two nearest stations are Kew Gardens and Kew Bridge.
Tel: +44 (0)171 928 5100, for British Rail information.
Tel: +44 (0)171 222 1234, for London Transport information.
Or try the London 'Subway' navigator to help plan your route. If you use this
clever navigator, note that we have spotted one problem - the Piccadilly Line
does not normally stop at Turnham Green during the day - so change from the
Piccadilly Line onto the District Line at Hammersmith instead.
Kew Gardens Station is the 'Tube' station and
nearest rail station
Station Parade, Kew Gardens, Underground zone: 3.
It is served by:
(British Rail) North London Railways
Route (key stations): Kew Gardens, Willesden Junction, West Hampstead, Highbury
and Islington, Stratford, West Ham, North Woolwich. Frequency: Monday to Saturday,
every 20 minutes.
and by the Tube: London Underground District Line
Routes (to key destinations):
Heathrow: take District Line eastbound to Turnham Green, then swap to a westbound
District Line train towards Ealing Broadway and change onto Piccadilly Line
for Heathrow at Acton Town. Ealing Broadway: change at Turnham Green as above.
Wimbledon or Olympia: change at Earls Court. Edgware Road, Oxford Street Central
and East London:change at Earls Court and refer to Underground map.
Harrods and Knightsbridge: take District Line to Sloane Square via Earls Court,
then walk (or change onto Piccadilly Line to Knightsbridge).
Frequency: Monday to Friday, every 10 minutes. Saturday, every 15 minutes. Sunday,
every 20 minutes.
Kew Bridge Station
Kew Bridge Road (just over Kew Bridge)
British Rail South Western Line
This is a multiple line taking several routes. For trains to Kew Bridge from
Waterloo take a Hounslow train - trains to Whitton stop at Richmond. Route:
Brentford, Syon lane, Isleworth, Hounslow, Kew Bridge, Chiswick, Barnes Bridge,
Barnes, Putney, Wandsworth Town, Clapham Junction, Queenstown Road (Battersea),
Vauxhall, London Waterloo.
Frequency: Monday to Saturday, every 30 minutes. Sunday, every hour.
Richmond Station Kew Road Underground zone 4.
British Rail South Western Line
Note: this is a multiple line taking several routes. For trains to Richmond
from Waterloo take a Whitton train - trains to Hounslow stop at Kew Bridge.
Route: Whitton, Twickenham, St. Margarets, Richmond, North Sheen, Mortlake, Barnes, Putney, Wandsworth Town, Clapham Junction, Queenstown Road, Vauxhall, London Waterloo.
Frequency: Monday to Friday, every 10 to 15 minutes. Saturday, every 5 to 15 minutes. Sunday, three an hour.
Richmond is also on London Underground District Line and British Rail North London Line. See Kew Bridge Station and Kew Gardens Station for route and frequency details.
For planning journeys from Club 157 you might find the following useful http://www.journeyplanner.org, http://www.thetube.com and RAC journey planner http://rp.rac.co.uk/routeplanner.
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RIVER BOATS
Up-river services, between Westminster and Kew and beyond, only run during the
summer season, between April and October.
Route: Westminster, Putney, Kew, Richmond, Hampton Court. Day trips: it is not really practical to travel from Westminster to see Kew and Hampton Court in a day as there are insufficient services but, starting from Kew, the Gardens and Hampton Court can be combined in a day.
Passengers should check timings of return journeys from Kew and Hampton Court. All timings approximate due to tides - latest return journey from Hampton Court is 4.30pm or 5.30pm depending on tide.
Information:
Westminster Pier Tel: +44 (0)171-930 2062.
London Tourist Board recorded information: +44 (0)1839 123432
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WHICH GATE FOR WHERE?
Main Gate: nearest entrance to Kew Bridge Station and Kew Pier river boat stop.
This gate is on Kew Green.
Victoria Gate: nearest entrance to Kew Gardens Station. This gate is on the Kew Road, situated in the middle of the Gardens. 65 bus can be caught nearby. On Sundays the R68 goes from Kew Garden Station.
Brentford Gate: Adjacent to the Gardens' car park, 10 minutes along the river bank from Kew Pier. Convenient for cyclists and walkers on the tow path.
Cumberland Gate: on the Kew Road. 65 and 391 buses can be caught nearby.
Lion Gate: southernmost gate, on Kew Road. Pagoda and Pavilion.Restaurant close by. 65 bus can be caught nearby. Convenient if you want to walk through the Gardens from Brentford Gate or Main Gate en route to Richmond.