The cruise from Westminster to Kew Gardens
Journey time approximately an hour and a half each way
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are laid out over 300 acres, and boast more than 100,000 species and varieties of plants, Royal buildings and statues and the famous Palm House. On 3 July 2003 the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew was officially inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Kew Village is an eighteenth century English village complete with a village green, where cricket is still played to this day.
Our journey starts at Westminster Pier right beside Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament. Among the many sights and landmarks as we proceed up-river are: -
- Lambeth Palace. The London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury since the 13th century.
- The Tate Gallery. The famous art gallery established by Sir William Tate the sugar millionaire.
- The Royal Hospital Chelsea. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and home to the Chelsea pensioners.
- Chelsea Old Church. Stands on the sight of the original chapel where Henry VIII married Jane Seymour in secret.
- St Mary's of Battersea. A popular church to get married in owing to its 'Christmas card' appearance.
- Putney. The starting line of the Oxford Cambridge university boat race.
- Barnes. Sought after riverside properties.
- Mortlake and Chiswick. The bridge at Chiswick is the finishing line for the university boat race.
- Strand on the Green. Oliver's Ait where Oliver Cromwell planned his battle strategies.
Upriver from Kew you'll find Richmond Park, which contains over 200 acres that were originally enclosed by Charles I for hunting. Now open to the public it is notably famous for the herds of deer that roam wild here.
Richmond shopping centre has a mixture of main stores and specialist shops, especially dealing with antiques. From Richmond Hill some of the finest views in London and the Thames are to be found.