Kew London Guide

Kew is an area of London that’s famous for its green, riverside setting and iconic Royal Botanic Garden.

If you’re looking for a peaceful part of London on the banks of the Thames with ample green spaces to enjoy, then living in Kew could be for you.

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The TW9 postcode is a thriving and popular place to live. In fact, the Borough of Richmond upon Thames is often voted one of the best places to live in the capital.

And it’s steeped in history, with links to the monarchy through the Royal Botanic Gardens.

So if you’re looking for a place that’s got excellent travel links into Central London, yet gives you an English country village lifestyle, then read on to find out more about Kew, London.

Kew on a map

You can find Kew in West London in the Borough of Richmond Upon Thames.

It’s on the back edge of Zone 3 and borders Brentford to the north, Richmond to the south, and Chiswick and Isleworth to the east and west.

And it’s situated along the Thames too, giving its residents a riverside location.

History of Kew, London

Kew has a long history and heritage. It stretches back as far as Julius Caesar, who might have forded the Thames at Kew during his conquest of Britain.

It’s also the home of the Doomsday Book, which is housed in the National Archives at Kew. This manuscript was commissioned by King William the Conqueror in the 11th century to determine what taxes were owed to him. But its contents are invaluable to historians as it’s one of the earliest records of its kind.

During the French Revolution refugees fled to Britain and many ended up in Kew. In the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, the royal links attracted lots of artists to the area, including the likes of Johann Zoffany, Francis Bauer, Camille Pissarro and the famous Thomas Gainsborough.

And it’s the royal links that give Kew most of its iconic history. The Tudors and the Stuarts all had links and land in Kew. But it was the Hannovarians who had the strongest connection to Kew.

Afterall, it was Princess Augusta who founded the famous botanic gardens. And her husband – then Prince of Wales – took up residence in the White House in Kew.

King George III also took up residence in the White House later that century. And King William IV spent most of his early life at Kew Palace.

The gardens are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and more commonly known as simply Kew Gardens. And they’re one of the most visited tourist attractions in London.

Who lives in Kew?

Kew is popular with families because of its village vibe and excellent schools. But it’s also becoming more popular with young professionals who value the rural, riverside setting but still want to have an easy commute in Central London.

The population of Kew is relatively small – around 12,000 people. That’s in part due to the fact that Kew Gardens takes up a considerable portion of Kew, so the number of homes is naturally lower.

Kew is also home to many famous faces, including Geoffrey Archer, Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Gabby Logan.

Renting in Kew, London

Kew is often overshadowed by its popular neighbour, Richmond. This means that rents in Kew are slightly lower than its next door neighbour.

That said, it’s still not a cheap place to live. And despite Richmond taking most of the local interest, renting in Kew is still a choice. So the properties that are available are in high demand.

There’s a variety of properties available. From Georgian and Victorian era period homes through to new build apartment blocks, such as Apo Kew Bridge.

In terms of rental prices in Kew, 1-beds let for around £1,580 per month, 2-beds for around £2,120 and 3-beds for around £3,375.

Larger properties for families or groups of sharers are naturally more expensive. You can expect prices of £3,500 to as much as £6,000 per month.

Homes to rent in Kew

Travel from Kew, London

Kew Gardens Tube station sneaks into zone 3 of the London Underground. This makes travel cheaper than neighbouring areas like Richmond.

It’s on both the District Line and the Overground. So you can easily get to places like:

• West Kensington (20 minutes)
• Sloane Square (31 minutes)
• Victoria (27 minutes)
• Paddington (33 minutes)
• Westminster (37 minutes)
• Bank (48 minutes)

And for those who like to travel further afield, Heathrow is very convenient. Just a short 15 minute drive by car or taxi.

Things to do in Kew

Kew is a great destination both for tourists travelling into the area and people already living in Kew. From local restaurants, pubs and cafés through to the famous Kew Gardens, there’s tonnes to see and do in Kew, London.

Restaurants

The Botanist

If you’re on the hunt for an excellent gastropub in Kew, then you will love The Botanist. It’s set within a heritage listed building on Kew Green. Whether you fancy a laid back lunch, a full Sunday roast or a lazy brunch, The Botanist has you covered. Expect a mixture of classic pub grub and modern dishes, all served with the warmest of welcomes.

Address 3-5 Kew Green, London, TW9 3AA

Ma Cuisine

Ma Cuisine is traditional bristrot restaurant is set right in the heart of Kew Village. The cuisine is French and the dishes are très bien! They offer everything from light lunches to a comphrehensive dinner menu. And it’s only a 5 minute walk from Kew Gardens. So it’s an ideal place to dine at after exploring the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Address 7 Station Approach, London, TW9 3QB

Attractions

Kew Gardens

By far the biggest attraction in Kew, is Kew Gardens. And it’s a must-see. There are over 130 hectares of gardens to wander and explore. Stroll through the landscaped greenery, or head into the Palm House, the Temperate House or the Prince of Wales Conservatory to see more exotic collections of warm-weather-loving plants. There’s even a Bonsai House!

Kew Palace

The royal residence of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Palace dates back to 1631. It’s one of the official Royal royal residences and was last occupied by the royals between 1728 and 1818. Today it’s open to the public. Visitors can discover the palace’s history and enjoy its surroundings. Top tip: buy a ticket to the gardens and you can get free access to the palace included.

Richmond Park

Richmond Park is the biggest park in London. And it’s easily reachable for those living in Kew. The park is one of the eight Royal Parks in London and is almost 1,000 hectares! It’s known for its ancient trees and diverse wildlife, including bats, beetles, wild flowers and fungi. The herds of deer are also a popular attraction. Just please don’t let your dog get too close…

Living in Kew

Kew is a great place to live in London if you’re looking for that perfect balance of country village living whilst retaining your quick links into Central London.

It’s a place that has a lot to offer. History, pubs, restaurants, wide open green spaces and a riverside location.

Make sure you check out our places to rent around Kew. Take a look at the developments below.