Staying in Earl’s Court? Kew Palace makes an enjoyable day trip for visitors who want to explore beyond Central London while keeping Kensington as their base. Guests staying in serviced apartments near Earl’s Court can plan a day at Kew Palace and Kew Gardens before returning to the comfort and flexibility of their apartment.
Over 200 years ago, Britain’s royalty headed down to Kew each summer. Often known as “Farmer George”, King George III loved plants and growing things. Kew has since become famous worldwide for its gardens, collections and historic attractions, making it an interesting addition to a longer London itinerary.
A Day Trip from Your Kensington Serviced Apartment
For guests spending several nights in London, Kew provides a different experience from the museums, shopping streets and landmarks of Central London.
Instead of changing accommodation, you can use your Kensington base for different sightseeing days. One day might focus on South Kensington museums and Hyde Park, while another can take you west towards Kew Palace and Kew Gardens.
Guests staying in Kensington serviced apartments also have the flexibility of apartment-style living and kitchen facilities, which can be particularly useful for longer sightseeing stays.
Explore Kew Gardens
The extensive gardens at Kew are a delight to visit, with flower beds, trees, lawns and landscaped areas providing plenty to explore.
Kew Gardens is internationally recognised for its plant collections and offers visitors the chance to combine nature, history and architecture during the same day trip.
For visitors who have already spent several days exploring busy parts of London, the gardens can provide a more relaxed change of pace.
Experience The Hive
There is a wide range of attractions at Kew.
The Hive is an immersive installation inspired by the activity of bees and gives visitors a different perspective on life inside a bee colony.
Its changing light and sound create an unusual experience that can be enjoyed as part of a wider walk through Kew Gardens.
Walk Among the Trees
If you have a head for heights, the Treetop Walkway offers another way to experience Kew.
The elevated walkway takes visitors through the upper levels of the trees, providing views across parts of the gardens.
It is worth allowing enough time to explore attractions like this rather than planning Kew Palace as a short stop. For most visitors, Kew works better as a half-day or full-day experience.
Discover Kew Palace
Not far from the gardens’ other attractions is Kew Palace, one of the historic highlights of a visit to Kew.
The palace is associated with King George III and provides an opportunity to learn more about royal life away from London’s larger ceremonial palaces.
Its smaller scale gives visitors a different perspective on royal history and makes it easy to combine the palace with the surrounding gardens.
Before travelling, check the official Kew Palace visitor information for current opening times and visitor notices. Kew confirms that Kew Palace sits within the Gardens and is associated with George III.
Step Inside the Royal Kitchens
The Royal Kitchens provide another glimpse into life at Kew.
Visitors can learn more about how food was prepared for the royal household and see the working side of a royal residence rather than only its formal rooms.
Together, Kew Palace and the Royal Kitchens add a strong historical element to a day otherwise spent exploring gardens, landscapes and outdoor attractions.
Make Kew Part of a Longer London Stay
Kew works particularly well for travellers spending more than just one or two days in London.
A simple longer-stay itinerary might include:
Day One: South Kensington museums and local attractions.
Day Two: Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and Central London.
Day Three: Kew Palace and Kew Gardens.
This allows visitors to experience different parts of London without trying to fit everything into one rushed day.
Also, Read: Local’s Guide to Kew Gardens: Plan a Perfect Day Trip
Return to Your Kensington Base After Kew
After spending the day walking around Kew Palace and the Gardens, returning to an apartment can provide more flexibility than continuing with another full sightseeing itinerary.
Guests can relax, prepare their own meals and plan the next day from their Kensington base. This makes serviced apartments particularly useful for couples, families and visitors planning longer London stays.
Planning a multi-day London break with Kew on your itinerary? Book Direct to check current Presidential Serviced Apartments availability.
