Kew Gardens is the largest botanical garden in the world, with more than 50,000 living plants, installations, walkaways, and Victorian decor.
Spanning more than 300 acres of land, the Kew Gardens have been deemed a World Heritage Sight.
For an attraction this huge, having only one entrance for all visitors is not practical.
So, the Kew Gardens has four entrances for everybody’s convenience. They are:
- Victoria Gate
- Lion Gate
- Elizabeth Gate
- Brentford Gate
This article will focus on the Elizabeth Gate entrance of Kew Gardens.
Elizabeth Gate Facade
Situated at the northern tip of the premises, the gates serve as the focal point of a crescent that faces Kew Green Road.
They consist of two imposing double gates hung from Portland Stone piers.
Decorative urns, fruits, flowers, and swags crown the central piers, while single pedestrian gates hung from smaller Portland stone piers flank the main gates.
Learn about all Kew Garden Entrances.
What is near Elizabeth Gate?
The Elizabeth entrance is located north of the park and about 800 meters (0.5 miles) from Kew Bridge Bus station. It is accessible by both bus and river commute.
Attractions near the Elizabeth Gate Entrance are:
Agius Evolution Garden & Kitchen Gardens
The Newly designed Agius Evolution Garden is a serene space where science and horticulture coexist harmoniously.
It invites you to contemplate nature’s beautiful surprises as you discover new connections between species that have recently come to light and unlock the mysteries contained in each plant’s unique DNA.
The Hive
In the middle of a wildflower meadow, The Hive is a remarkable installation that stands 17 meters tall and replicates a beehive’s interior.
A thousand LED lights flash in sync with the Gardens’ resident bees’ vibrations.
A musical symphony reacts to this action in the background.
You will notice that all sounds are rendered in the key of C, which is also the key that bees use to buzz!
Princess of Wales Conservatory
The Princess of Wales Conservatory is a glassy maze that takes you through ten computer-controlled climatic zones that each lead to a different intriguing ecology.
Discover the circumstances that allowed predatory species, such as pitcher plants (Nepenthes) and Venus flytraps (Dionaea muscipula), to evolve to devour their prey in less than half a second in our zone devoted to carnivorous plants.
Admire the prickly cacti and succulents as you pass through the arid regions of the tropics and into the humid, dense areas that are home to vibrant bromeliads and tropical orchids.
Herbarium & Library
One of the biggest and most significant herbaria in the world, the Herbarium has more than 7 million specimens of preserved plants, including lichens, algae, fungi, and dried and pressed plants.
The herbarium collections all support plant identification, taxonomy study, and conservation initiatives.
Scholars worldwide come to Kew to research and add to the extensive collection of plants kept there.
The Kew Gardens Library holds an extensive collection of botanical literature, including books, journals, and manuscripts.
Nash Conservatory
Located in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the Nash Conservatory is a neoclassical greenhouse created in 1828 by architect John Nash.
Later, in 1836, it was relocated to Kew Gardens from Buckingham Palace.
A bright and airy space for growing and showcasing a wide range of plants, including tropical and subtropical species, this historic building is distinguished by its creative use of iron and glass.
*Although Elizabeth Gate is not the nearest entrance to it, the Kew Garden Treetop Walkway is an unmissable attraction during your visit to Kew.
Restaurants near the Elizabeth Gate
Here are a few restaurants close to the Elizabeth Gate. You can also check out the full list of restaurants in Kew.
Orangery
What to expect
Built in the 18th century originally for growing citrus fruits, the orangery was deemed to be too dark for its purpose and, thus, after many uses, was converted into a restaurant.
Throughout the summer, visitors can use the expansive terrace that offers breathtaking views of the surroundings, especially at night when lights illuminate the surrounding trees.
The Orangery is a better option for a more relaxed setting.
With indoor seating and an outdoor terrace, it’s a great spot for an informal lunch or a coffee break. It offers coffee, cakes, and light meals.
Timings
It is open daily from 10 am to 2 pm. Breakfast timings are from 10 am to 11 am, and hot food timings are from 11.30 am to 2 pm.
The Botanical Brasserie
What to expect
The Botanical Brasserie offers all-day formal dining with modern British cuisine.
From breakfast to lunch and afternoon tea, you can have anything here.
Timings
It is open daily from 10 am to 2 pm, with specific timings for each meal. The Brasserie provides indoor and outdoor terrace seating.
Note that a Gardens ticket is required before booking a table.
Download Menu of Botanical Brasserie (PDF, 1.9 Mb)
How to reach Elizabeth Gate
You can reach this entrance either by bus or by river commute. It is up to you to decide which transport option suits you better.
By Bus
The bus stop Kew Green (Stop A) (Bus No: 65, 110, and N65) is a 5-minute walk from the Elizabeth gate.
The Musical Museum bus sop (Stop U) (Bus No: 237, 267, and N9) is a 10-minute walk from the Elizabeth gate.
By Boat
Elizabeth Gate’s proximity to the Thames makes transportation by boat very convenient for visitors.
Thames River Boats offers a special service from Westminster Pier to Kew Pier.
Elizabeth gate entrance is only a 0.2-mile walk from the Kew Pier.
By Bicycle
Put on Google Maps and navigate to the Elizabeth Gate at Kew Garden.
Bicycle racks are available at all four gates, but bicycle parking is at your own risk.
At Elizabeth Gate, the racks are inside the gates behind the booths.
Note: If you are traveling by car, your preference should be the Brentford Gate as it has a car park.
Check out parking at Kew Gardens to know more.
Please plan your tour well if you wish to drive because Parking can get really crowded on special events such as Christmas at Kew.
Entry Price at Elizabeth Gate
The admission ticket price for Kew Garden is constant and does not change from entrance to entrance. It is constant for all of Kew.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (30 to 64 years): £14
Student Ticket (with a valid ID): £7
Youth Ticket (16 to 29 years): £7
Senior Ticket (60+ years): £12
Child Ticket (4 to 15 years): £4
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
Family Ticket (1 adult & 2 children): £29
Family Ticket (2 adult & 2 children): £48
Accessibility at Elizabeth Gates
Disabled visitors qualify for a concession ticket.
Free entry is afforded for essential carers, personal assistants, support workers, and next of kin accompanying disabled visitors.
Registered blind and partially sighted visitors can also gain free entry.
The entrance is flat, with tarmac paths, and wheelchair users will have no difficulty.
