In the spirit of adventure and seizing an opportunity, I just signed up for a trip to Dubai/Abu Dhabi in March 2027. I would like to add a few days in London on the way to break up the flight time and help with the time change adjustment. I have been to London a few times before but have never visited Kew Gardens or Hampton Court Palace. My question, is early March a good time to visit those two destinations?
Posted by
6648 posts
I would go to Kew in March, check out the website, as it details what is seasonal and there are the greenhouses which would be appealing year round.
Posted by
London, UK
591 posts
It’s likely to be full of bulbs in flower and spring blossom, always dependent on what kind of a Spring it is, of course. I would definitely take the opportunity.
Posted by
London
1176 posts
If you go to Kew Gardens before 8 March, the annual orchid festival will still be on. This year the country theme is China: https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/orchids-china
Definitely get tickets in advance if you want to visit the orchids as they are popular.
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
36473 posts
if you want to go to Hampton Court for the gardens, there won't be a great deal to see in March.
However all the palace is very doable year round. There are open courts within the palace but all of the rooms to visit are fully enclosed and indoors. On a wet or rainy day, I love Hampton Court Palace.
Easy to reach by train from Waterloo and a quick walk across the Thames.
Posted by
OP
89 posts
Thanks for the responses so far. To clarify, I’m not a huge garden person so I’m not planning my trip around that. I’m much more interested in the inside of Hampton Court than anything outside. :)
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2916 posts
I’m much more interested in the inside of Hampton Court than anything
outside. :)
In that case, Hampton Court Palace is definitely worth visiting. There are the Tudor Kitchens and the spectacular great hall which contrast with the C17th additions of Sir Christopher Wren. There's also the haunted gallerty too where Catherine Howard ran screaming to try and rach Henry VIII to beg for for mercy and her life...
The Maze is well worth doing too. There is a hilarious account of a visit to the maze in "Three Men in a Boat, writtn by Jerome K Jerome in 1889. Have a read here...