Summer is approaching, which means you’re probably looking for things to do around London. If you’re one with nature, then this one is definitely for you!

Kew Gardens, officially known as the Royal Botanic Gardens, is one of my favourite places to visit on a sunny day – and at £8, it’s just half the price for students. 

Kew Gardens is located in West London, making it extremely easy to get to from campus. The best way to get there from campus is to get the 493 bus to Eton Street, and then it’s either a 20 minute walk or you can get the 65 or 391 bus from Richmond Station to Kew Gardens.

It is home to the largest living plant and fungus collection in the world with almost 30,000 different kinds of plants, as well as many other fun and unique features. These include the Treetop Walkway, Waterlily House, the Pagoda, Princess of Wales Conservatory and the Japanese Gateway.

Due to it’s immense collection of living plants and it’s historical significance, the gardens are now considered a UNESCO World Heritage site, which over a million people visit each year.

As there is so much to see, I’d recommend finding out when the weather is good and spending the full day there. As well as the gardens, there are also various cafés, shops and children’s play areas – making for a great family day out. They also often host events including showcases, guided tours and activities.

Details about what’s on can be found on the website here.