kew palace and queen charlotte's cottage

3Days_in_London

The prettiest palace in London...I adore Kew Palace. It's small and homely and has such a poignant air about it....you can still feel the spirits of the family who lived, loved and played here. How I would love to go back in time to meet them all.

274julietb

Lovely sunny winter visit, very interesting, orchid display fabulous. Easy parking, good food in restaurants.

185chelseab

Don't be put off by having to pay to enter these gardens, it is well worth it. If you go in winter it's about £4 cheaper and still worth it. The gardens are beautiful and the prince of Wales conservatory was an unexpected delight! I nearly didn't go in but upon entering was amazed, the desert zone with the giant cacti and the rainforest zone with all the lovely orchids are fantastic. Walking around the palm house is so nice (particularly when it's cold outside) and the tree top walk will definitely be a winner with the kids. I will definitely be going back in spring to see everything in bloom!

TerrywHamilton

Lush gardens on many acres that include several greenhouses, one from Victorian times and a modern one named for Princess Dianna. We spent the whole day there and had a very nice lunch at the restaurant in the Orangerie. Queen Charlotte's cottage is interesting because they left the plaster off the walls on the upper floor so that you may see the construction techniques used at that time. The guides were very helpful and attractive.

666Bunty

The surrounding gardens are fantastic. The buildings are small and intimate and worth a visit but its a double payment - once for the gardens and then for the Palace and Cottage together (NT members have to pay to get into Kew Gardens although the buildings are free to members)

yfylou

Kew garden is ideal for nature-lovers. Can see a wide collection of beautiful flowers, plants, trees and landscapes.

Owenthomas

The Country home of George III. It was used when he was having periods of mental illness. Very plain, it was furnished with some 17th century items. There is a fireplace that was installed from the ancient Richmond Palace. Also went into the Palace Kitchens, which were not very large for a palace. They did have a very nice kitchen garden that we enjoyed looking at.

Cattracey

The lady in Queen Charlotte's Cottage was not very friendly or helpful but it is interesting to see inside. No photo's allowed. Kew Palace is small, the gardens and kitchens are very interesting. We had to queue as they only allowed so many in at a time but worth seeing.

anaabati

I really love Kew and the Kew Explorer. When I visit London, I always find time to go to Kew Gardens. It is a must-go!

teleczkan

I liked the history of both buildings. Helpful attendants to answer questions definitely worth popping into during your stroll around the botanical gardens

FrancisD192

Worth a look around,not an awful to see or do,,,long walk,I would not return,,,Staff always watching you,Don't touch that,Etc,

ROSEDROP

There is a long narrow path leading to the cottage with foliage each side, then you come to an opening were you see at last the thatched cottage with lead light windows a very pretty building. there is not much furniture or and pictures. Could be developed

SLeeH

We were very disappointed that we joined as members of the Royal Palaces, yet still had to pay to enter the grounds at Kew to get to the palace, yet there is no entry fee for the palace, (this is misleading when joining as a member of the Royal Palaces)!Kew Palace in itself was very disappointing, and not much to see. Also quite annoying that there are donation boxes scattered around the palace, and the staff even have the audacity to ask you to donate, when you have paid a fortune to enter Kew Gardens. In addition, they asked me to take off my back pack in case I knocked something over; I wouldn't mind there was nothing to knock over. If you are going to specifically see the palace, really do not bother.

iwearblack

I felt like I walked in on a coven's secret club house. Staff weirdly hovers to make sure you aren't touching the sub par refurb. I think King George would be annoyed his summer home is so badly restored. When I asked if this was in process "Oh no we don't want to cover up so much HISTORY" The banged up banisters and broken plaster and archeologist notes crudely scribbled on the walls? If you've been to the Biltmore this place is a yawn. They did order up the curtains from an old order from a British manufacturer, the only thing I was interested in looking at. They have these creepy projections to show where people sit that had an M Knight Shyamalan effect. Sad because this was Queen Charlotte's happy place. Don't use the elevator unless one of the ladies in weird attire "brings it up" for you...one whole floor. Apparently I wasn't qualified to press a button. Enjoy the garden it's well done.

SFWOxford

The palace was occupied by George 3rd as he descended into madness. Interesting information about his life here is relayed in a number of audio visual methods.Fairly quick to visit as it is so small but worth having a look round if you are at Kew. You may have to wait o go in but this is fine as they do manage the crowds quite well