Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
/ About
Princess Augusta founded a nine-acre botanic garden in the pleasure grounds at Kew in 1759. The Gardens passed from the Crown to the government in 1840 and opened to the public the same year, and UNESCO inscribed the site as a World Heritage Site in 2003. Eight of Kew's buildings are let for private events, and they read less as a set of function rooms than as a collection of listed architecture with a botanical collection growing through it.
The Orangery is the largest: an 18th-century Grade I listed hall with high ceilings and tall arched windows, taking 400 for a standing reception and 230 for dinner, with a terrace over the landscape for the summer months. The Temperate House, the world's largest Victorian glasshouse, opened in 1863 and was completed in 1899; it holds over 10,000 plant species and is let on evenings between April and September for dinners of up to 250 beneath its spiral staircases and balcony. The Nash Conservatory was built in the grounds of Buckingham Palace and moved to Kew brick by brick in 1836. The Princess of Wales Conservatory, opened in 1987, carries a sequence of climate zones and is let for drinks receptions of up to 200. Below those sit Cambridge Cottage, the former residence of the Duke of Cambridge; the Pavilion, with its vine-covered terrace; and the Marianne North Gallery, hung with 832 paintings by the Victorian artist it is named for.
Everything runs to Kew's own terms, and they are worth knowing early. Catering, production and decoration are drawn from an accredited supplier list. Music is performed inside the building you have hired, under Kew's premises licence and an 85-decibel site limit that is measured and recorded through the evening; entertainment suppliers come from Kew's approved list at Cambridge Cottage and by prior arrangement elsewhere. Most venues run to 11pm with a midnight extension on request, and a dedicated event manager is assigned to every booking.
/ Rooms Available
The Orangery
Exclusive HireAn 18th-century Grade I listed hall, open-plan under high ceilings and tall arched windows, and the largest room Kew lets. It takes drinks and cocktail receptions, award ceremonies and dinner dances, and in summer opens onto a large terrace with views over the landscape and lights through the surrounding trees at night. Evening hire runs 7pm to 11pm with a midnight extension on request.
Temperate House
Exclusive HireThe world's largest Victorian glasshouse, opened in 1863 and completed in 1899, Grade I listed and home to over 10,000 plant species from the world's temperate regions. Guests dine among the collection and can walk the spiral staircases and balcony above it. Available 15 April to 30 September, 7pm to midnight, with extensions on request.
Pavilion
Exclusive HireA contemporary room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a large outdoor terrace under decades-old vines, built for standing receptions and relaxed dining with an indoor-outdoor flow. Evening hire only, 7pm to 11pm, with a midnight extension on request; available January to July and September to October.
Princess of Wales Conservatory
Exclusive HireOpened in 1987, Kew's most varied glasshouse carries a sequence of distinct climates and the plant collections that go with them. It is let for evening drinks and canape receptions, either on its own or as the pre-dinner space before the Orangery or Temperate House. Evening hire only, 5.30pm to 11pm.
The Nash Conservatory
Exclusive HireA 19th-century glasshouse built in the grounds of Buckingham Palace and moved to Kew brick by brick in 1836, with floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides and views onto the Gardens. Licensed for civil ceremonies and used for presentations, product launches, away days and receptions. Hire includes the venue's furniture stock, an in-house PA system and a sound engineer; a hearing loop is pre-installed.
Cambridge Cottage
Exclusive HireThe former royal residence of the Duke of Cambridge, Grade II listed and set in a quiet, private corner of the Gardens. The Drawing Room and Gallery are used separately or combined and both open onto Duke's Garden; the lobby, entrance hall and ante-room serve as break-out space. Licensed for civil ceremonies. Day or evening hire, 9am to 11pm. Closed for refurbishment 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027.
Marianne North Gallery
Exclusive HireA Victorian gallery opened in 1882 and restored in 2009, hung with 832 paintings by Marianne North depicting more than 900 plant species. It is let for evening drinks receptions and seated dinners, and suits commemorative occasions, birthdays and dinner parties. Evening hire only, 7pm to 11pm, with a midnight extension on request.
Orangery Conference Room
PrivateA bright, contained room behind the Orangery restaurant, fitted with a built-in screen and HDMI connectivity and used for presentations, small away days and team-building. Weekdays only, 9am to 5pm.
/ Perfect For
/ Features
AV Equipment
- – PA System
Licensing
- – Music Licence
Venue Specs
- – Dedicated Events Team
- – Outdoor Terrace
- – Wheelchair Accessible
/ Getting Here
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