Dates
Christmas at Kew runs from Wednesday 13 November 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025, with the exception of the following dates:
- Monday 18 November
- Tuesday 19 November
- Monday 25 November
- Monday 2 December
- Wednesday 25 December
Ticket information
Group prices
Adult: Off Peak £21.68 / Peak £27.20
Child (4-16): Off Peak £13.60 / Peak £17.00
Under 4, Essential companions: £0.00
You can find the off-peak and peak dates on the online booking request form.
Entry times
Timeslots for Christmas at Kew start at 4.20pm through to 7.40pm, depending on which gate you enter through.
Elizabeth Gate: 4.40pm, 5pm, 5.20pm and 5.40pm.
Victoria Gate: 4.20pm, 4.40pm, 5pm, 5.20pm, 5.40pm, 6pm, 6.20pm, 6.40pm, 7pm, 7.20pm,7.40pm.
Entry gates
Be sure to select the right entry gate for your visit.
Victoria Gate: arriving on foot
This is the main entrance, located on Kew Road, and the best for those travelling by public transport. The postcode for Victoria Gate is TW9 3JR. Coaches cannot drop off customers at this gate due to traffic restrictions.
Elizabeth Gate: arriving via coach
This is the only gate for coach drop off and pick up. Please note that we have limited availability for coaches and you require a coach timeslot in order to stop at Elizabeth gate. You will be issued a Coach Pass when payment is received. Coach parking is not available on site.
This entrance is also best for those travelling by National Rail – South West Trains. The nearest National Rail station is Kew Bridge. The postcode for Elizabeth Gate is TW9 3AE.
Coach Parking
Parking is not available on site for groups. We recommend groups coming via public transports or pre-booked coaches. Coaches will require a timeslot in order to drop-off and pick up customers.
First come, first served coach parking (fees apply) is available at Old Deer Park (TW9 2RA, 6 spaces) Coach parking - London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and at Richmond Athletic Association (TW9 2SF) – this must be booked in advance by calling them on 020 8940 0397.
Important information
Arrival: to regulate visitor flow and avoid any traffic congestion, groups should arrive at their reserved time to regulate visitor flow and avoid traffic congestion. Groups arriving at the gate earlier than their allocated timeslot may be asked to wait. Group ticket holders should come as a group to the same entry point. If you are coming separately, please let the Groups Department know. The group will be issued e-tickets to gain entry and a Coach pass if they pre-booked a coach timeslot.
Coaches: Coaches cannot remain stationary or with their engine on at Elizabeth Gate or other parts of Kew Green. Coach Passes should be on display on arrival in order to be given access to the carriage ring on Kew Green. The Traffic Manager will allocate drivers a pick-up time on the day. We aim to give 3 hours for a group visit.
Bag Checks: for the safety and security of everyone at Christmas at Kew we will carry out full security checks at all entrance gates. Please only bring items that are essential for your visit.
Dwell time: The trail can take around 2 hours to walk around, whilst stopping for refreshments and seeing all the attractions like Father Christmas, visiting the fairground, toasting marshmallows and taking photos. The average group visit time is between 2-3 hours.
Items not allowed: Children's scooters and balance bikes are not permitted on trail.
Access
The trail is in the natural landscape. Whilst every effort is made to make the trail fully accessible, by its very nature it will cover some difficult terrain with several varying gradients. These areas may be challenging during wet weather. The trail is mainly on paths and there is lighting but the terrain and lighting level vary in different parts of the gardens.
If you or any members of your group are encountering any difficulties, please alert one of our friendly stewards who will do their best to help you, and who can offer possible shortcuts to the exit.
There are several manual wheelchairs available at the different gates, please ask staff on arrival. These cannot be reserved in advance. Please note, we do not offer mobility scooters for Christmas at Kew. Visitors are welcome to bring their own mobility scooters to the trail.
If you have specific access needs please call 020 8332 5648 and we will do our best to assist you.
Visual guide
Our visual guide can help you plan and enjoy your visit to Christmas at Kew.
Here you'll find information about what to expect during your visit and top tips to help you have a fantastic time.
The 2024 visual guide will be available in mid-November.
Dogs and pets
Dogs and any other pets are not permitted in Kew Gardens. Registered assistance dogs are permitted.
Food and drink
There will be a variety of onsite cafes and restaurants as well as independent street food traders along the trail, where you can choose from a range of flavourful food and winter warmers. We do not currently have the ability to pre-book tables at any of our catering outlets for group bookings.
Please note we are operating cashless across our catering units at Christmas at Kew.
What to bring and wear
There are no covered areas during the trail and the paths can get wet so please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather.
The trail is lit, but lighting will be low level in some areas so you may wish to bring a torch. No naked flames (e.g. candles, night lights, flares or lanterns) are allowed.
Photography
Please feel free to take photos along the trail but do be aware of others.
We occasionally use photographs taken at Christmas at Kew for promotional purposes, please talk to a member of staff if you would not like photographs to be used in this way.
Toilets
There are various toilet facilities throughout the trail.
Visiting the Gardens in the day
This ticket does not include entry to Kew Gardens during the daytime.
If you would like to visit the Gardens during the daytime, please contact the Groups Department to make a separate booking. groups@kew.org
Please note: If you are including a visit to Kew Gardens in the daytime, you will need to exit the gardens at 3pm (last entry 2pm) and then re-enter the trail at your designated entry gate and time.
Cancellation, exchanges and refunds
Pre-booking is compulsory, and requests will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis. To make your booking requests, please complete the online booking request form.
Please note that we are unable to process booking requests by phone.
Full pre-payment is required no later than 4 weeks prior to the date of visit and can be made by card or BACS. If payment is not received by the due date, the booking will be cancelled and the space released. Cancellations made within 4 weeks from the date of the visit, will incur full cancellation charges.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is not able to offer exchanges or refunds after the payment is received. We are also not able to offer refunds/duplicates on unwanted/lost tickets.
Inevitably bad weather can affect any open-air experience. If we have to cancel due to safety concerns, groups will be offered an alternative date or a refund. No refunds will be offered simply if the weather is inclement. Any decision to cancel that evening's trail will be taken by 2pm on the same day.
Safety and security
If you see anything suspicious or any persons acting suspiciously, please tell the nearest member of staff immediately.
Please do not leave any belongings unattended at any time.
Keep your children with you at all times. Ensure they don’t wander into the unlit areas of the Gardens.
Contact
If you have any questions about group bookings, please contact us at groups@kew.org or call us on 020 8332 5648.