Kew Gardens Afternoon Tea

I do love visiting Kew Gardens, there is so much to do there. On previous visits, we have had afternoon tea at Kew Gardens eating in the Kew Gardens Botanical Brasserie. However, on our last visit to Kew Gardens for afternoon tea last weekend, the restaurant had been significantly updated. I took my mum to celebrate her birthday which is fast becoming a little tradition. We also had tickets to see the orchids in the Princess of Wales Conservatory. Although that particular display has now finished they have orchids in there all year round so make sure it is on your list. So how did we get on? Heres our Kew Gardens afternoon tea review. 

Reasons to visit Kew Gardens for afternoon tea

Before I get onto our Kew Gardens afternoon tea review, I wanted to list just some of the reasons why you should visit the world’s most famous gardens. As it is so much more than finger sandwiches and delicate cakes.

• Kew Gardens is home to 40 historical buildings, in 2003 it became a 326-acre UNESCO world heritage site.
• The Palm House is by far my favourite building with beautiful cast iron spiral staircases that allow you to walk around the top of the glasshouse. Not to mention the diverse plant life. It is one of London’s most beautiful attractions.
• There is also the Temperate House, Princess of Wales Conservatory and don’t forget the giant lilypads, another personal favourite.
• In the summer there is a beautiful rose garden
• Don’t miss out on the tree-top walkway which can be accessed via a lift if needed.
• Kew Pagoda is open at selected times and gives exceptional views across the gardens.
• If you are having afternoon tea with garden lovers then there is a plant shop right next door to Kew Gardens Botanical Brasserie. In the Victoria Plaza Café, selling tempting looking plants and many different accessories.
• The kitchen garden is a source of inspiration for all that grow their own.
• For history lovers Kew Palace is also open on selected days, steeped in years of history it was favoured among the royal family becoming King George III private retreat.
• If you have time there is Queen Charlotte’s cottage tucked away at the South West end of the gardens.

Whenever you visit there is also normally an event or exhibition on in one of their display buildings or galleries.

Afternoon Tea at Kew Gardens Botanical Brasserie

Kew Garden’s Botanical Restaurant is the perfect setting for this traditional English treat. With plush velvet chairs in a green hue. Beautiful botanical wallpaper and old wooden display cases with garden photos and drawings it creates the perfect experience. Of course, you do not have to have afternoon tea, there is the option of stopping by for just tea, a slice of cake or even a self-service cream tea.

However, we opted for an English afternoon tea which includes a choice of teas. The loose-leaf tea comes in a little metal teapot which gives two cups of tea. You also have the option of ordering water (they do tap its just not advertised), cocktails or even a glass or bottle of fizz! Which is of course the perfect partner to the classic blends of teas offered.

The Kew Garden afternoon tea is served on a traditional three-tiered cake stand. A vegetarian afternoon tea is also available for the same price of £37 per head. There is an elegant spread of sandwiches, four different varieties each. When we visited we did not want the egg ones and the waiter changed these to our preference. The next layer is homemade scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream. Before finally being finished with delicate pastries and beautiful mini cakes and desserts. All complied into a unique creation.

We could not eat it all in one sitting and asked for a box to take the majority of the cakes home with us. We saw several people do this and they are well prepared. It was all delicious in beautiful surroundings. We will be back!

Top tips for Kew Gardens afternoon tea

• Make sure you allow plenty of time to see all the gardens have to offer this is so much more than an afternoon tea venue
• Book your afternoon tea slot in advance via the website. It is extremely popular and was full when we arrived at 2.30 pm.
• There are various other places where you can pick up some light refreshments or light snacks ahead of your visit to the restaurant which may be needed if you intend on spending the whole day at the gardens. Since the first sitting for afternoon tea is at 2.30 pm
• Kew Gardens opening times are 10 am to 6 pm (last entry 5.30 pm, all year round except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• You do need an entrance ticket to the gardens as well as a booking for afternoon tea, you can buy tickets on the day from the ticket office if needed.
• There is a car park on Kew Road but it is not that big compared to how popular the gardens are. So if you intend to park then arrive early. It costs £9 for the day, payment can be made at the machine or via a parking app.

• And more… 

• The gardens are easily reached by public transport. Kew Gardens station is in zone 3 and only a five-minute walk from the Victoria Gate entrance.
• Many of the gift companies offer afternoon tea at Kew Gardens as an experience. If you can get these on a deal then they will work out cheaper as they also include entry to the gardens. Although check your voucher expiry date and the conditions of the experience to make sure.
• In the Summer months, you can sit on the terrace of Kew Gardens Botanical Brasserie and watch the fountains in the lake in from of the stunning Palm House.

Afternoon tea at Kew Gardens offers the ability for you to enjoy tea amongst the beauty of nature. Have you visited Kew Gardens or had afternoon tea there? Let me know about your experiences in the comments below.

Related Blog Posts

If you have enjoyed this article on Kew Gardens afternoon tea review then you may also be interested in some of the following blog posts.

• Climbing the Great Pagoda at Kew Gardens
• The best places for afternoon tea in Surrey
• Kew Gardens for children

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