Two sets of opening times matter at Kew, and only one of them is on the sign at the gate. The Gardens keep long hours, particularly in summer. The buildings inside them do not, and that gap is where visits go wrong.
Below are the current hours for both, plus the honest answer on when to come.
Kew Gardens Opening Hours
Hours shorten as the year goes on and change again for winter. Last entry is always one hour before closing, whatever the season.
| Period | Hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| May to August, weekdays | 10am to 7pm | 6pm |
| May to August, weekends and bank holidays | 10am to 8pm | 7pm |
| September, daily | 10am to 7pm | 6pm |
| October, daily | 10am to 6pm | 5pm |
Winter hours are shorter again. Kew publishes its schedule a season at a time, so check the official site close to your visit rather than relying on a table anywhere, including this one.
When the Buildings Close
⚠️ The Gardens stay open later than almost everything inside them.
- Glasshouses: 10am to 5pm daily. The Palm House, the Temperate House and the Princess of Wales Conservatory all shut at five whatever time the Gardens close.
- Treetop Walkway: 10am to 6pm, last entry quarter to.
- Galleries: 10am to 5.30pm, last entry 5pm.
- Children’s Garden: 10am to 6pm.
On a summer weekend the Gardens are open until eight and the glasshouses have been shut for three hours. Plan around five o’clock, not eight.
Temporary Closure
Kew Palace, the Pagoda and Queen Charlotte’s Cottage are run by Historic Royal Palaces rather than by Kew, and are closed from late September until spring 2027. The Gardens themselves are unaffected. If one of those buildings is your reason for coming, check directly with Historic Royal Palaces before booking.
Best Time to Visit Kew Gardens
When you come changes the visit more than anything else you can control.
Arrive at opening. Ten o’clock gets you the glasshouses before the coach parties and before the humidity in the Palm House turns into a queue of people not moving. It also means the buildings are still open when you want them, which stops being true by mid-afternoon.
Members can get in from 8am at two of the gates, which is the single best perk of membership and worth knowing if you visit more than twice a year.
Any weekday beats any weekend. Weekends bring both the longer hours and everyone else, and the site does not feel enormous when the paths near the Palm House are full.
A weekday in March or early April is the sweet spot. You get spring colour with a fraction of the crowd, because most people have not thought about Kew yet.
July and August are the busiest by a distance and the gardens are not noticeably better for it. Winter is cheapest and the glasshouses come into their own when it is grim outside, which is precisely what a tropical greenhouse is for.
How Long to Spend
Timing Tips
Four things that decide whether the day works.
Do the glasshouses first, always. They are the thing with a deadline. The grounds are open as long as the Gardens are, so save the walking for later and spend your first hour under glass.
Eat before half three. The cafes stay open into the evening but the kitchens stop hot food around half past three. After that it is cake and sandwiches, which is fine if you knew, and annoying if you did not.
Rain is a reason to come, not to cancel. Three large glasshouses and two galleries mean Kew handles bad weather better than most outdoor attractions. Go straight to the Princess of Wales Conservatory when you arrive, because everyone else reaches the same conclusion by lunchtime.
Take the train if it is your first visit. The land train loops the site and gives you a sense of scale before you pick a direction. Twenty minutes spent on it is not twenty minutes lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Kew Gardens open?
10am, every day of the year. Members can enter from 8am at Victoria and Brentford Gate during the lighter months.
What time does Kew Gardens close?
Between 6pm and 8pm depending on the season and the day, with the longest hours on summer weekends and bank holidays. Last entry is always an hour before closing.
What time do the glasshouses close at Kew?
5pm daily, regardless of when the Gardens close. The galleries close at 5.30pm and the Treetop Walkway at 6pm.
How long do you need at Kew Gardens?
Three to four hours as a minimum. Most people spend between three and six, and a full day is reasonable on a first visit.
Is Kew Gardens open all year?
Yes, though hours shorten through autumn and winter and individual attractions can close for maintenance. Check the official site for planned closures before you travel.
When is the quietest time to visit Kew Gardens?
A weekday morning outside the school holidays, and ideally outside July and August. March and early April combine low crowds with something actually flowering.