Planning a Visit

Access Guide - Kew Gardens

Parking

Limited Parking is available at Kew. Three dedicated parking bays are available for disabled drivers near the Main Gate. There are also several spaces in our car park right next to the Brentford Gate which are free of charge throughout the year for disabled drivers. If these are full, disabled drivers are welcome to park elsewhere in the Car Park. Parking on Kew Road (A307) provides easy access to Victoria Gate (restricted before 10am).

Large-print map

A large-print map, produced with the advice of the RNIB, is available at Ticket Offices and at the Victoria Gate Visitor Centre (Friends Desk).

Wheelchairs

These can be borrowed free of charge from all the entry gates. Attendants to push wheelchairs around the gardens are not available. Visitors' own mobility scooters, pavement-use type limited to 4mph, are allowed into the Gardens for use on the footpaths.

Access

The footpaths and the majority of buildings in the Gardens are suitable for wheelchairs. There is, however, no wheelchair access to the following area:

• Marine Display in the Palm House basement
• Galleries in the Palm House and Temperate House

Access information for the Rhizotron and Xstrata Treetop Walkway

Rhizotron - The Rhizotron is fully wheelchair-accessible. You enter via a path on a gentle downwards slope with handrail, on a smooth surface. The exit path is an identical upward slope.

Xstrata Treetop Walkway - Following final work on the construction of the walkway, we are now waiting for the structure to settle before the lift becomes operational for public use. The lift will be fully tested for safety over the next couple of weeks.

Once the lift is operational the walkway will also be fully wheelchair-accessible, with lift (capacity 20 people) from ground level up to the walkway. The walkway itself is wide enough for two wheelchairs to pass and the floor surface is a completely flat surface (expanded metal mesh) suitable for wheelchairs. Handrails are at chest height (120 cm approx) and visibility at wheelchair height is good. Interpretation boards along the walkway feature tactile shapes.

Electric Mobility Scooters

We have three mobility scooters available at Kew which can be borrowed free of charge. Due to the limited number available the scooters have to be booked in advance, (tel: 020 8332 5121). Three are available and can be at our Brentford Gate, Victoria Gate or Main Gate. Please advise on booking. The scooters are provided to assist visitors with limited mobility and therefore find it difficult to walk long distances, but who are otherwise able.

Visitors will need to show some form of ID (with photograph, or with home address, e.g. current Drivers Licence, recent Gas bill) when collecting the scooter.

Visitors' own mobility scooters, pavement-use type limited to 4mph, are allowed into the Gardens for use on the footpaths.

Toilet facilities

There are a number of disabled toilets within easy reach of all the main attractions and gates: these are marked on the "Welcome to Kew Map" (provided on arrival).

Public Transport

If taking the District line tube to Kew Gardens Station from central London, please note that there is no wheelchair accessible exit to the Gardens from the platform it stops on. Instead you will need to travel one stop further to Richmond station where the tube terminates and wait until it travels back to Kew Gardens Station, where it will stop at a platform with an exit to the Gardens.  If you require assistance to dismount from the tube train, please contact TFL in advance on 0845 330 9880. 

From the station, the Victoria Gate is approximately 300 metres away over paved pavements, although please note that this will require crossing at least two roads.

Riverboat Services

From Kew Pier to the Main gate is approximately 600 metres, but please note that some of this distance is along an unpaved shingle towpath. Please contact Thames Riverboats for more information 020 7930 2062 on their services and access.

Related services:

• Kew Explorer - a regular commercial service that enables all our visitors to get an excellent overall view of the 120 hectares (300 acres) of Kew, lasting approximately 35-40 minutes. 'Explorer' ticket holders are able to get on and off at any of the stops throughout the day. Space for one wheelchair, plus ample storage for wheelchairs where the user is able to use the standard seating.
  Price: Adults £4.00, Children £1.

• Discovery - a mobility service to enable groups of people with special needs to enjoy the magic of the gardens. Must be booked in advance.