Summer Cycle: Explore Kew Gardens By Bike - For One Evening Only This Summer

Will Noble
By Will Noble Last edited 10 months ago

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Last Updated 13 July 2023

Summer Cycle: Explore Kew Gardens By Bike - For One Evening Only This Summer
Kew Summer Cycle 2023: A group of cyclists passing a huge palm house
Just make sure you don't cycle over any thorns, or you'll be paying a visit to the bike doctor. Image: RBG Kew

Kew Gardens covers an expanse of 320 acres, and doing the whole lot in one go by foot is... well, a feat.

This summer, for one evening only, you have the chance to speed things up, by taking to two wheels for Kew Gardens' annual Summer Cycle. From 5pm-9pm on 27 July 2023, you can cycle through the Elizabeth Gate, into the grounds, and explore Kew via the power of the pedal.

Kew Summer Cycle 2023: Two kids cycling into Kew flanked by two comedy bobbies on bikes
Plenty to keep the kids entertained. Image: RBG Kew

This isn't your usual Kew visit; as well as soaking up the various flower beds, woodlands and palm houses, there are Alice in Wonderland-themed theatre performances, tree tours, and live music from The Rigmarollers and Fat Brass. This being a bike-themed evening and all, there will also be roving performances from Solo Circus (a performer who does stunts on comedy bicycles), as well as a 'bike doctor' on hand, just in case you cycle over a rogue rose thorn.

On that note, you'll need to bring your own wheels; if you're thinking about hiring, the closest Santander Cycle docking stations are around Hammersmith, Fulham and Putney, which — if the weather's decent — could make for a pleasant cycle along the Thames.

Summer Cycle at Kew Gardens, 5pm-9pm, 27 July