Kids in London – Kew Gardens (in the rain)

I was feeling a bit apprehensive as Sunday started somewhat cold and grey with ominous black clouds on the horizon. I had arranged to meet with two adults and three kids for a day at Kew Gardens and the weather looked like it was going to be a washout. Nevertheless, after stopping at a coffee shop near Richmond station we walked the 15 minutes to Lion Gate.

Lion Gate, Pagoda and Japanese Gate

Whilst £13.90 is a bit more than the 1p that used to be charged at the turnstiles for entry, kids under 16 go free so it’s good value – especially as we started our day at 1230 and stayed for five hours. Yes, that’s a lot of walking! The maps we were given had helpfully marked out in blue those things that were most attractive to children and we strode past those alighting the road train towards the pagoda. It was here that we learned that one of the 13 year olds amongst us really wanted to go to Japan. Lucky, as we then arrived at the Japanese Gate and gardens. Lots of laughter as we talked about zen gardens and who had the best iPhone app for raking sand around the stones. More seriously, it really was a beautiful garden and I was reminded of my time in Happoen Gardens in Tokyo.

Tree Walk

We followed the signs to the tree walk – one of our favourites. The lift, again, was out of action so bad news for those with mobility issues but we climbed up the 118 stairs without getting too out of breath. The view up there is incredible and it is like being on top of the world – surrounded by trees and a great horizon stretching out for miles. One of the adults commented that it was a bit like the Ewok encampment in Star Wars – I’ll have to take his word for that. The platforms are sort of like corrugated and rather rusty steel – so you can see all the way down to the ground. It also moves in the wind – so if you aren’t that keen on heights I’d stay away from this one. But we loved it.

Evolution House

Then we retraced our steps back to Evolution House. Bubbling mud and lots of moss and ferns created a feeling of being in the time before dinosaurs. We wondered whether the mud would be good for your complexion – but no one was brave enough to give it a go. Along the time line path we went – through the ferns and then into the Jurassic time. The smaller one amongst us was pleased to see giant models of dragonflies and insects hidden amongst the greenery. And we rounded a corner to witness a rather lovely waterfall – the footprints in the path reminded us that this is the sort of world that dinosaurs inhabited. Cool! We continued through some dark caves (“We’re going on a bear hunt”) and then reaching through the holes in the walls to feel that waterfall splashing onto our hands. Fantastic.

Temperate House

At this point it started to rain rather heavily. So we slipped into Temperate House. The kids immediately raced off to climb the stairs and walk around the place at a height. The adults wandered around to admire the plants. We stopped for a while to gaze at a statue of David – based on a bronze by Donatello – with his foot placed triumphantly on the head of Goliath. But we couldn’t help sniggering at the rather girly hat he was wearing and his slightly camp pose – just as well the kids weren’t with us. The signs advised us that this is one of the largest surviving Victorian glass structures and we thought that the windows needed a good clean – don’t envy the guys who have to do that.

Victoria Gate

We needed the loos. And fast. So we walked (quickly) to Victoria Gate. We would have stopped for coffee but the café here was very busy and it seems that the shop has expanded into a large part of the seating area. So we visited the conveniences and those out early admired some of the plants in the nearby garden centre. We past King William’s Temple along the way.

Palm House

Another shower so we ran past the ornamental lack and fountains (we rather missed standing on the platform and feeding the ducks – especially as in the past we had seen huge koi and eels sneakily steal the bread intended for the birds) and into the humid warmth of the Palm House. We were delighted to find that there were now numerous brightly coloured steel sculptures of animals – we spied a snake, a praying mantis, a blue panther and a few others.

Marine Display

The youngster member of our group had been tasked with finding the steps down to the Marine Display and she was super-fast in achieving her objective. Down into the dark we went, reading signs about the importance of algae. After the British rock pool displays we saw cheeky eels poking out of sand, funny faced puffer fish, shy clown trigger fish, pale sea horses camouflaged against the coral, pointy nosed angel fish and whiskery cat fish. We spent ages watching the crabs trying to climb onto the floating weeds and a lone hermit crab ambling round coconuts. We put on our 3D glasses but have to admit that the plankton film was our only disappointment of the day.

The Orangery

Feeling a bit peckish we decided to get some lunch at The Orangery and set out along the path. We were stopped in our tracks by a gaggle of geese and there was much hilarity as we watched the hissing parents guard their fluffy youngsters. The Orangery is a fabulous building – and the pigeons try to get in there – many ate inside but the rain was holding off so we risked outside seats. Sandwiches, cakes and drinks for two came to around £19 so it wasn’t cheap although we noted that the £3 sandwiches could have cost £5 in a motorway service station. And it was a lot easier than carrying a picnic basket around with us all day.

White Peaks, Treetops Playground and Climbers & Creepers

We were off again! Across grassy meadows and past lots more trees and plants and we arrived at the new White Peaks shop (quick browse amongst the toys, china and old fashioned sweets) and we were persuaded to stop for ice creams and coffee. The kids raced off to the new treetops adventure playground which had attracted a large number of children. Excellent facility. The inside play area is stunning – but reserved for those aged 3 – 9 – great educational play area. We wandered out past the secluded garden and were amused to watch lots of geese grazing on the long grass there.

Princess Diana Conservatory

This multi-level glass house has something for everyone – ferns, orchids, cacti and even carnivorous plants (helpfully behind glass panels to prevent small fingers becoming dinner). There are more fish displays here – and we spent some time admiring the poison dart frogs and the view under the enormous pool containing lotus flowers (not the same as water lilies the signs told us). The kids thought it was great that when they placed their fingers in the water, hundreds of tiny fish nibbled away – apparently you pay a lot of money in the West End for a pedicure like this! Everyone agreed that this was our favourite stop of the day.

Rock Garden, Alpine House and Grass Garden

We were beginning to flag at this stage. The map suggests that Kew Gardens is over a mile long and we had walked back and forth across the park so must have done several times that distance. The rock gardens are tranquil and we hadn’t seen the funky Alpine House before. We found some benches and stopped to rest. Ball games aren’t allowed in the gardens so we made so with chasing and dancing games. We started to head back all the way to the other side of the gardens again. And spent a while enjoying a group of chickens who were nestling in the mud – the kids were delighted that they were tame enough to stroke.

Ruined Arch and Pavilion

We continued along the path and past some galleries. Under the Ruined Arch and finally to the Pavilion tea rooms. Here we sat, shaded by grape vines, and had some coffee and drinks. Thoroughly relaxed – and totally exhausted – after our day of walking and looking and playing. And the rain hadn’t made the slightest bit of difference to our fantastic day out.