Grass Garden

The Grass Garden at Kew is one of those spots that sounds dull on paper until you actually stand in it. Then you realise you're surrounded by over 300 species of grass and sedge, arranged with genuine artistry across rolling beds. It's not the obvious Kew highlight - most visitors bypass it for the Palm House or the Treetop Walkway - which means you'll have the place almost to yourself on busy days.

What makes it work is the sheer variety. Miscanthus towers over you, feathery pampas grasses catch the light, and delicate blue fescues create low borders that change colour through the seasons. There's a real sense of composition here, not just botany. It's the kind of garden that rewards a slow walk rather than a quick tick-off.

Historians and serious gardeners will find it genuinely absorbing. Families with restless kids might struggle - there's no playground energy to it, and thirty minutes covers it thoroughly. The best visit is autumn, when the grasses are in full effect and the light gets that golden quality that makes everything photogenic.

Entry is included with Kew Gardens admission, so it's not an extra cost. Give it an hour if you're into plants, half that if you're not. If you're staying at Lovat Parks, which sits about six miles south, Kew makes an excellent morning's work before heading back to the park for the afternoon.