Visiting Kew Gardens

RamblingSid
RamblingSid Forum Participant Posts: 54
edited April 2019 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

I see this question has been asked before, but to a resounding silence!

Can anyone recommend a site that will enable us to get fairly easily to Kew Gardens by public transport?  Don't mind walking a bit.  Grateful for any suggestions

Comments

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,310 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #2

    I don't know any sites that side of London. However, we were considering visiting next time we go to Abbey Wood. This has excellent links into London. Kew Gardens Underground station is only a two stage journey 36 minutes to Blackfriars and then 34 minutes on the district line.

    As both Abbey Wood and Kew are in zone 4 the £9.80 daily cap should apply on a visitor Oyster card.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #3

    Bus from Wyatts Covert site entrance to Uxbridge station, Piccadilly line tube to Turnham Green, change there to District line tube to Kew Gardens. 

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #4

    PS. Some Piccadilly line trains don't stop at Turnham Green, in which case change at the next stop which is Hammersmith. 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,056 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #5

    Investigate the possibility of cruising the Thames to Kew. Not sure if it will allow you enough time actually in Kew, but it’s a lovely way to do it if links are good for you.😀

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #6

    The other club's sites at Chertsey and Walton are fairly close to Kew (half an hour plus) might be worth a look for more details.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #7

    I think there aren't any direct links from those either. In the past I have stayed at Wyatts Covert and driven to Kew. There is parking.

    peedee

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,810
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    edited April 2019 #8

    We visited Kew last September. We stayed at Wyatts Covert. It’s a short drive to Denham station from where you can catch a train to Marylebone and from there you have tube access. Parking at Denham was around £7 before 10am, £4 after. We bought a day pass (trains and most buses) for £14 each. Personally, I prefer Wisley, but Kew was on my bucket list 🙂

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #9

    Yet another plan ! From Crystal Palace site take number 3 bus to Westminster, then District Line tube to Kew Gardens.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,056 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #10

    Whatever you do, check out the Low Emission Zone and your vehicle, you don’t want to get caught out if Kew is in zone, or your car is on the hit list!

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #11

    Yes, sorry I was thinking of driving only which is probably quicker than public transport in the Chertsey area.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,865 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #12

    Is there a reason for not taking the car? There is a large P&D car park in Ferry Lane behind the Gardens. 

    David

  • RamblingSid
    RamblingSid Forum Participant Posts: 54
    edited April 2019 #13

    Because the car will be a 6m panel van conversion by then! 

  • PATMAU
    PATMAU Forum Participant Posts: 250
    edited April 2019 #14

    I would use either the Chertsey or Walton C&CC, then drive to Whitton near Twickenham down A316 (about 15 mins), for free parking as parking round Kew is not easy and mainly CPZs.  Then either bus to Richmond, then either tube or bus to Kew. 

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,865 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #15

    Have a look on Google Earth and see what you think, your PVC does not have a footprint much bigger than a 4X4? Mind you the first part of Ferry Lane is quite narrow although not long.

    David

  • RamblingSid
    RamblingSid Forum Participant Posts: 54
    edited August 2019 #16

    Thought I ought to write my conclusion to this thread.  First, the P&D car park at Ferry lane is cars and motorcycles only.  Second the journey from Wyatt's Covert turns out to be quite complicated, involving the 1 mile walk from the site (unless you happen to land on a time when there is a bus) and up to 5 changes.  In the end we opted for Hoe Farm CL near Woking, a very short walk to Worplesdon Station and only 2 trains to Kew Bridge.  A grand day out and there's even a Sainsbury's Local at Kew Bridge if you need a spot of shopping on the way back.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,056 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #17

    Thanks for coming back RamblingSid. We have never considered using Club or other sites for a London visit. Very useful information though, and I hope your visit was all you expected. 😁

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #18

    Thanks from me too, I've yet to work out an easy route to Kew! Glad you got there. smile

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,056 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #19

    Brue, it was on the agenda for a birthday trip for me, some years ago. We had decided we wanted to see Apsley House, have a wander around central London, then do Hampton Court Palace and then finally Kew. We were staying at a very nice hotel right by the gates of Hampton Court. We had hoped to go up the river to Kew, but the boat itineraries didn’t work out, plus some gardening friends said I might be a tad disappointed with Kew. So our itinerary completely changed. Apsley was closed (thanks EH😡) so we walked London, had a wonderful time in Westminster Abbey, got our train to Hampton Court, got up early, spent the whole day in the Palace and Gardens, back to hotel, up early again back into central London. From there it was a boat down the Thames to Tower Bridge, we did the Tower, as neither of us had been since we were children. After that we walked London again, absolutely fabulous walking along river and down all nooks and crannies. Too late to get into Temple Church sadly, but I didn’t miss Kew. What was really great was we got into HCP and Tower with Tesco vouchers completely free, so saved a huge chunk there. 

    Will possibly still do Kew at some point, but it’s still not top of my gardens list😁

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #20

    It's "tops" for me TDA as I'd love to see the newly renovated temperate house but from where we live it's not the easiest place to reach. Getting there by river is a good idea if you're visiting London. smile

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,810
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    edited August 2019 #21

    Kew is worth a visit TDA, but I prefer Wisley, which we’ll be visiting next year, for the flower show 🙂

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #22

    Can't help with sites - sorry. But I can thoroughly recommend a visit to Kew Gardens. Also don't forget the 'lights' in the evening in December. We did them last year.

    Might you be better off with a travel lodge type hotel with public transport?

    Edit whoops I really should read all the posts before replying embarassed I see the OP has posted following their trip and stay! 

  • Poshman
    Poshman Forum Participant Posts: 88
    edited August 2019 #23

    We did Kew Gardens a few years ago from the Crystal Palace site - and got there by bus for nothing using our senior cards. I recall it did require using 3 different bus routes but it worked! At the bus terminus up the road from the CP site, a very helpful lady at the information desk worked out an itinerary and wrote down bus numbers and alighting points. The journey took a while but all the connections came swiftly. Came back same way. Went in May which I think is the best time to see Kew. And if you have a 2 for 1 card from Gardeners' World magazine,you save a lot on the admission price.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited August 2019 #24

    when visiting that area...or even further into town...we used to park in Gloucester Road, Kew and take the tube...

    i see you have a PVC, you could camp at Chertsey and take the van to Gloucester Road, and you'll be able to park there (not residents only) sort walk to the gardens...

    or the NCP at Richmond, one stop on the tube.

    ps...yes, I see the OP has posted back, thank you....but parking locally is still a possibility even in a PVC....After all, white van man does it all the time.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,865 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #25

    We are lucky in that we can get into Kew for free through our previous employers Corporate membership. Its well worth a visit.

    David

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #26

    I can use my RHS membership to get two of us in for free but the Gardeners World two for one offer can be used at Kew. I think this has been mentioned, lots more good gardens around London with this offer too. smile