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Things to think about before you go to Kew Gardens<\/b><\/h3>\n
Is it going to be raining and where will we eat?<\/b><\/p>\n
With these two questions answered it undoubtedly makes for a smoother day out, or it does where my kids are concerned. With one fussy eater I always feel a bit more relaxed when I know that there will be somewhere that he will eat. Definitely check the weather before you head to Kew Gardens, something I always forget to do and we are the one family walking around in jumpers getting soaked. As a venue that is predominantly outside, if it is going to rain then you\u2019ll want to make sure you have rain coats and umbrellas, you probably won\u2019t need a picnic blanket either! However picnics are allowed on all the grassy areas in Kew. \u00a0If you decide to take a picnic to eat as you wander around, then you could head to one of the many cafes or restaurants for a hot drink instead. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Kids menus<\/b><\/p>\n Alternatively, if you do decide to eat at one of Kew\u2019s five cafes or restaurants, \u00a0<\/span>there is a \u00a0kid-friendly menu at White Peaks caf\u00e9, and The Orangery and Pavilion serve children\u2019s portions and boxes. \u00a0For more information on the cafes are restaurants click here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Take a lock to secure your scooters or bikes<\/b><\/p>\n Bicycles, tricycles, roller skates, skateboards, micro-scooters, balance bikes and other vehicles (except powered wheelchairs) must be left at the gates so it\u2019s a good idea to take lock to secure it.<\/span><\/p>\n Check the opening and closing times<\/b><\/p>\n These can vary depending on the time of year so be sure to check ahead, see below for more information.<\/span><\/p>\n Where are the kids areas?<\/b><\/p>\n Technically the whole of Kew is a kids area, however there are some specific places that Kew have built for kids…<\/span><\/p>\n The Log Trail was created from trees brought down by the 1987 storm and is a perfect place for kids to hop, skip and jump around. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Follow the trail through some of Britain’s best loved native trees and plants. Spot ladybirds, centipedes, beetles and spiders living in our bug hotels.<\/span><\/p>\n Explore the underground world of badgers in a \u00a0life-sized Badger sett. Enter into a warren of tunnels that connect food stores, sleeping chambers and nests.<\/p>\n More kid friendly places to explore are\u2026<\/b><\/p>\n The Treetop Walkway<\/b><\/p>\n The Treetop walkway is 200 metres long and is 18 metres above ground. \u00a0Walking along it gives you a unique view of the forest canopy and the world within it. \u00a0The Walkways structure was inspired by the <\/span>Fibonacci numerical sequence, frequently found in nature’s growth patterns and the engineers that built it say it should last 500 years. We decided to lay on our tummies and look down! That made for an interesting view! \u00a0There is also a path leading below ground to Rhizotron, an underground lab which has been constructed to study the soil.<\/span><\/p>\n Some things to remember about the Treetop Walkway\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n The many houses and ornamental buildings<\/b><\/p>\n The Temperate House has recently re-opened after a 5 year restoration project. This summer, meet a friendly giant called Gnomus who can show you around sharing stories about some of the world’s rarest and most endangered plant species. Plus on weekends until 2nd September, from 12:30-4pm, see a beautiful musical aerial act – Harmonic by Cirque Bijou – suspended from the rafters of the Temperate House.<\/p>\n The Palm House is an iconic Victorian house with a tropical climate, a perfect hideout if it\u2019s cold outside. \u00a0Many of the plants found in The Palm House are important in modern life and it\u2019s worth seeing if the kids can spot them, look out for the Rubber tree (<\/span>Hevea brasiliensis<\/span><\/i>), African oil palm (<\/span>Elaeis guineensis<\/span><\/i>), \u00a0Coffee (<\/span>Coffea<\/span><\/i>), Pepper (<\/span>Piper nigrum<\/span><\/i>), and Sugar cane (<\/span>Saccharum officinarum<\/span><\/i>) and a Cocoa tree (<\/span>Theobroma cacao<\/span><\/i>). \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Princess of Wales glass house is the most complex as it contains ten computer-controlled climatic zones under one roof. <\/span><\/p>\n The Water-lily house is a small, square glasshouse, it has a tropical habitat displaying many colourful waterlilies, ferns, papyrus and hanging gourds. It encloses a circular pond spanning over 10 metres, the staff at Kew use fish and dye the water black with food dye to stop algae growth which makes pretty reflections the kids will love.<\/span><\/p>\nAt Kew Gardens<\/b><\/h3>\n
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