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Green and pleasant land

A large part of Kew consists of an expanse of green fields around which the River Thames travels. Here you'll find a golf club, Old Deer Park, Kew Green and, of course, Kew Gardens.

Kew is most famously known for its botanic gardens which holds the world's largest collection of living plants. Founded in 1840 and consisting of more than 30,000 species of plant, Kew Gardens was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. The grounds also contain many fascinating sights such as a Chinese pagoda and large-scale replica of a Japanese temple. There is also a vertiginous tree-top walkway which gives you a completely different view of Kew.

Kew Green plays host to many attractions throughout the year. In the summer you can enjoy watching the local cricket club play or savour the horticultural show in August. There is a delightful old horse pond with reed beds that sits in one corner of the green where a range of water birds come to nest.

Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club is private members-only but you can play if invited by a member or you can request to play in advance. There are two 18-hole courses here, both located in Old Deer Park.

Wining and dining in Kew

There's a good selection of places to eat and drink in Kew. Taverns like The Greyhound and The Botanist provide beer, cheer and traditional pub fare.

The cunningly named Q Verde is a family-run Italian restaurant between Kew Green and the Kew Gardens. Known for its good food, well-chosen wines and friendly, unobtrusive service, this eatery is popular with the denizens of Kew.

East meets West London at Rara, a Nepalese restaurant. The owners say that no preservatives or artificial flavours are used, as well as a minimum amount of oil. The aim is to create healthy, tasty dishes from India and Nepal. The restaurant appears to have achieved this as it's enjoyed by the locals and visitors from across the river.

Shopping in and around Kew

Kew has a small but vibrant assortment of independent retailers selling goods such as organic health food products and freshly baked bread, bridal dresses, shoes and music. There are plenty of well known high street names within a short walking distance of the centre of Kew.