10 Very Best Things to Do in Kew Village, London
Looking for things to do in Kew, London? Here’s how to spend a lovely day exploring Kew Gardens, Kew Village, local cafés, bookshops, and restaurants in one of London’s prettiest neighbourhoods.
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There’s something endlessly charming about the neighbourhood of Kew.
Maybe it’s its obvious allure—Kew Gardens, the largest botanical garden in the world, or perhaps it’s what’s not so obvious.
The local bookshop that’s stood pretty for 30 years, the dollops of local shops, cafés and restaurants that make you fall in love with London independents, or the pub that sticks to the train station with the really good menu (Baked gelaska or Sticky toffee pudding anybody?).
If you’re ready to explore beyond Kew Gardens, here’s some lovely things to do in the area.
Here’s the best things to do in the neighbourhood. Shall we?
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Getting to Kew
Kew is in South West London, just over 30 minutes from the city centre. To get here you can take the District line or London Overground to Kew Gardens Station, which drops you right by Kew Village, just a short walk from the Victoria Gate entrance to Kew Gardens.
You can also get the train to Kew Bridge Station, which is useful if you’re coming from Waterloo or want to start your day closer to the river.
As always, I’d use Citymapper to check the easiest route from where you are in London.
Kew Gardens
Of course, we have to start with the obvious one—Kew Gardens.
But obvious doesn’t mean overrated. Kew is one of London’s most beautiful days out, with royal history, world-famous glasshouses, over 300 acres to wander and one of the most important plant collections on earth.
If it’s your first visit, I’d make sure you see the Palm House, Temperate House, Princess of Wales Conservatory, Treetop Walkway, Great Pagoda and Kew Palace.
Read More: The Best Kew Gardens Tips: A Local’s Guide
I’d give yourself at least half a day here if you want to properly enjoy it, but even a few hours is enough to understand why people keep coming back.
P.S. Some attractions and glasshouses can have different opening times or closures, so always check before you go.
The Original Maids of Honour
If you like your London cafés with a side of history, pop into The Original Maids of Honour on Kew Road.
This historic tearoom and bakery has been serving from its Kew location since 1850, but the story behind its famous Maids of Honour tarts goes back much further.
According to the bakery, the tarts are linked to a Tudor legend involving Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and her maids of honour, with the infamous recipe supposedly kept secret at Richmond Palace…
Today, you can still visit for their signature warm Maids of Honour tarts, alongside cream teas, cakes, pies, pastries and traditional English lunches.
Just a 5-minute walk from Kew Gardens!
Kew Village
Once you’ve done Kew Gardens, don’t make the mistake of heading straight back to the Tube.
Kew Village is small, leafy and ridiculously easy to wander, with Kew Gardens Station sitting right in the middle of its little cluster of cafés, shops, bookshops and restaurants.
If you happen to be visiting on the first Sunday of the month, Kew Village Market is worth timing your visit around. The streets close to traffic, with over 40 independent stalls selling food, crafts, gifts and street food, plus live local music.
Otherwise, here’s some lovely stops to make for any time of week.
De Nadas Empanadas
For something casual before or after the gardens, stop by De Nadas Empanadas.
It’s right next to Kew Gardens Station, which makes it almost dangerously convenient if you’re arriving hungry or need something quick after a long wander. The Kew location serves Argentinian empanadas for eat-in, takeaway and delivery, plus wine, coffee and Argentine pantry bits like alfajores, dulce de leche, chimichurri and yerba mate.
Ma Cuisine Bistro
For a proper meal in Kew, Ma Cuisine Bistro is the French neighbourhood spot to know.
Their menu leans very classic bistro—from French onion soup to scallops, duck terrine, sea bass, halibut, ribeye steak frites, coq au vin, moules marinière, French cheeses and proper desserts.
The Kew Bookshop
One thing definitely worth visiting in Kew Village is the ever-charming Kew Bookshop.
It right by Kew Gardens Station, small but very browseable, with fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, greeting cards, stationery, gift wrap and tote bags.
They also have a book club and lots of author events throughout the year, so you may catch on if you’re lucky!
Mary’s Living and Giving Shop
If you like a charity shop browse, add Mary’s Living & Giving Shop for Save the Children to your day in Kew.
This one is a boutique-style charity shop on Royal Parade, right by Station Approach, with designer homeware and clothes.
It’s not the kind of place I’d build the whole day around, but it’s exactly the kind of small local stop that makes a Kew visit feel more like exploring a neighbourhood than just ticking off the gardens.
Pop in after the bookshop, have a rummage, and see what the ladies of Kew have donated this week.
The Kew Greenhouse Café
For coffee, cake or lunch, The Kew Greenhouse Café is a lovely local stop in Kew.
It’s a bright, plant-filled café with outdoor seating, hearty mains, salads, vegetarian specials, homemade cakes and pastries. But what makes it feel especially Kew is the building itself—it was built in 1895 and used to be the village bakery, with the original brick ovens still preserved beneath the rear conservatory.
Very fitting for a garden neighbourhood…
Trindle Stores
Trindle Stores is one Kew Village’s most treasured shops, and it’s easy to see why.
Family-owned, independent and spilling with artisanal produce and yummy café bits, it’s a great stop to get a feel for local life in Kew.
The Tap on the Line Pub
Before you leave Kew you absolutely should include The Tap on the Line, to your Kew Village day.
It’s attached to Kew Gardens Station, making it the only station on the London Underground network that still has a pub attached. The station itself opened in 1869, and what is now The Tap on the Line was originally the station’s Timber Steaming Hall, later becoming the Buffet Rooms before being converted into a pub.
I’d make this your final stop, especially if you want a drink, pub meal or dessert before hopping straight back on the train. Or a roast if it’s a Sunday…see the menu here!
Explore Richmond or Hampton Court Palace
Despite its obvious beauty, outside of Kew Gardens, the neighbourhood of Kew Village is quite small.
With that said, if you want to stretch your Kew day out a little further, head over to Richmond after your day for a riverside walk, pub stop or dinner.
Read More: The Best Things to Do in Richmond, London
If you’re feeling ambitious, you also pair in a day Kew instead with a visit to the grand Hampton Court Palace, but I’d only do this if you’re starting very early and happy with a fuller day.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Kew
And there you have it—some lovely things to do in Kew, from wandering Kew Gardens to exploring all its lovely village shops, cafés and restaurants nearby.
It’s a very easy London day out, especially if you want somewhere that feels leafy, local and a little slower than Central London.
Enjoy your day out!
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Happy Londoning,
