With a COVID-free summer fast approaching, day trips that make the most of the outdoors are always high on everyone's list. When the central London parks are full and you want a day of peace and tranquillity, here at Crown Home Buying & Letting, we might just have the perfect suggestion of where to go.

The Royal Botanical Kew Gardens boasts “the largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections” in the world. Yes, you read that right, Kew Gardens lies just 30 minutes from Central London and promises to take you on a green-fingered adventure.

Whether you are looking for a stroll amongst the world’s tallest trees or to marvel at 159-year-old Temperature House, Kew Gardens really has something for everyone. Choose from manicured lawns to picnic on or a Japanese inspired garden to transport you across the world, each area of the 300-acre space has been carefully designed to bring the best experience for the visitors and the planet. A perfect combination!

The gardens have now entered a new era, where creating a biodiverse space is important for the future of the planet. With this in mind, it is leading the way in creating not just a beautiful place to wander but also somewhere that holds great scientific importance. 

The UNESCO World Heritage Site has over 50,000 living plants within the gardens, which are located in southwest London, and holds the largest bank of seeds in the world in an underground vault that is flood, bomb and radiation-proof. 

Aside from the insurance policy that it is providing for future generations and the great scientific work they are doing to better understand the planet, Kew Gardens is also a great day out.

Let the kids run free in the Children’s Garden, an adventure play park for them to explore from the age of 2-12 years old. Looking at all the things plants need to grow: earth, sun, water and air, the area is the equivalent size of 40 tennis courts and boasts over 100 mature trees. Combining education, fun and spending time outdoors seamlessly!

And, for the adults, first head straight to the treetop walkway (if you can handle being suspended 18 metres above the ground), to get closer to nature. 

It gives visitors the rare opportunity to look at the leaves, top branches and wildlife that inhabit higher up. It is also a great way to get your bearings, giving you a leafy bird's eye view of Kew Gardens.

Other must-sees are the Bamboo Garden and Minka House, Great Broad Walk Borders, Princess of Wales Conservatory, the Queen’s Garden and the Hive, just to name a few! Each area offers a wide range of landscapes, plants and wildlife, creating great spaces to feel inspired, relax and unwind.

Once your legs are tired from all the walking and you need a moment to sit and have a rest, Kew gardens has you covered there too. With 5 different restaurants and cafes to enjoy, offering a range of delightful dishes and scrumptious cakes there is something for everyone.

So, if you feel ready to see what all the fuss is about, be sure to head there and see for yourself the range of colours, plants, wildlife and fun in the 300 acres of beautiful space. 

Be sure to check out the Kew Gardens official website and book tickets ahead of your visit.

Visit their website HERE