Parking at Kew Gardens

[Mindy73]

I'm intending to go to Kew Gardens on a weekday and it won't be during the school holidays and I wondered if anybody could advise me on the parking situation there? I'm travelling quite a distance but don't know whether to use their car park (have heard it's expensive) or whether I'll be able to park on the local roads. I've also considered parking at a station that is on the same train line as Kew station and travelling in that way. Any advise on that would be appreciated too!!

Unfortunately you'll probably have to pay for the car park.

Last time we went we overstayed on a meter and got a ticket. It's not an easy place to find a space.

the car park by the river is £5 I think still.
You can park on london bound side of the Kew Road (the Victoria Gate entrance bit) after 10a.m for free but you need to be there at 10 to get a space especially during the school hols and don't park there until 10 ( it's a bus and bike lane). Alternatively you can park after 12 for free on some of the roads coming off the Kew Road - it's permit holders only between 10-12

Lots of the parking at Kew is on side roads. In fact I have never used a car park.

I agree with parking on Kew Road around the Victoria Gate entrance. As other poster says, is only after 10am but out of school hols/weekends it is reasonably easy to get a space, and it's free! Much easier than parking on a train line (depending on where you are coming from of course).

I went to Kew this week (am a member, so go quite often), it was gorgeous but I did find the food quite expensive - if you want a cheap day out pack a picnic and find a peaceful spot to enjoy it. (But do treat yourself to a cake or an ice-cream!!)

Thanks for the advice everyone. So it sounds like I need to arrive at the Victoria Gate entrance shortly before 10am to grab a space at 10!! Alternatively, pay £5 for the car park. Where is the car park? Is that near the Victoria Gate entrance as well. £5 isn't too bad - I was expecting worse than that!

penona - I was intending to take a picnic for lunch + have something hot at teatime before we left but may reconsider now. Perhaps we'll have a drink and cake and make do with that until we get home!!

Shouldn't be a problem getting a space on the road out of school hols as long as you're there not too long after 10am.

The car park is round the other side, past the Brentford gate. Very convenient for Climbers and Creepers if that's where you are heading! (we always get dragged there first ...).

Lunch boxes for the kids aren't too bad in the cafes ... about £4 for 5 items iirc, but anything for adults is quite expensive.