Release date: 14 February 2024
- Final days of Orchids at Kew Gardens
- Mat Collishaw: Petrichor exhibition continues at the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art
- Young Botanical Artists exhibition showcases illustrations of the natural world
- International Garden Photographer of the Year exhibition at Kew Gardens
- New for 2024: Sounds of Blossom festival at Kew Gardens
- Bluey arrives at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst for Easter
Kew Gardens
Orchid festival 2024, until 3 March | Pre-booking essential
Kew Gardens’ much-loved Orchid festival returns for 2024, taking over the Princess of Wales Conservatory until 3 March. Kew’s 28th Orchid festival draws inspiration from the unique flora and fauna of Madagascar, the world’s fourth largest island and home to Kew’s third research site, the Kew Madagascar Conservation Centre. Madagascar’s lush rainforests, tropical dry forests and over 3,000 miles of coastline will be reflected in an extravaganza of themed floral displays and living installations, transforming the Princess of Wales Conservatory into a colourful celebration which never fails to brighten up the winter months.
New for 2024: Sounds of Blossom, 23 March- 14 April
This spring, immerse yourself in Sounds of Blossomat Kew Gardens between Saturday 23 March and Sunday 14 April, in partnership with the Royal College of Music. Sounds of Blossom will feature six bespoke musical compositions embedded into the landscape, offering a unique sensory experience as you wander around Kew’s renowned cherry blossom and magnolia trees.
Bluey | Kew Gardens: 29 March - 14 April & Wakehurst: 27 March- 14 April
The hugely popular animated BBC television series Bluey is coming to Kew Gardens and Wakehurst this Easter. Inspired by the onscreen adventures of a lovable six-year-old Blue Heeler puppy Bluey and her family, who have captured the hearts and imaginations of children and adults alike across the globe, this new interactive experience at Kew and Wakehurst is a must-do for families during the holidays.
Petrichorby Mat Collishaw | Until 7 April - Entry included in admission
Continuing in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art at Kew Gardens, Petrichorisa new, critically acclaimed exhibition of work from celebrated contemporary artist Mat Collishaw. Drawing on an array of evocative imagery from the natural world, this spectacular exhibition features sculptural installations using a variety of pioneering techniques to explore the relationship between the natural world, art history, and how representations of nature in art can impact the way in which we see the world around us.
Horticultural Highlights Winter - Spring
Horticultural highlights at Kew Gardens include signs of spring with crocuses and daffodils in the Woodland Garden, the Natural Area and the Great Broad Walk Borders. Don’t forget to visit the new Winter Garden which continues to offer a show of colour and scent through the winter months. At Wakehurst, spring colour emerges with daffodils bordering Mansion Pond, and bright magnolia blossoming throughout the Water Gardens and wider landscape.
International Garden Photographer of the Year, Until 10 March
The 17th International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) competition returns to Kew Gardens in an outdoor display on the lawn in front of the art galleries running until Sunday 10 March. The exhibition features a curated selection of higher placed winning photographs that were entered into Competition 17 in 2023. Categories on display include returning favourites, such as ‘The Beauty of Plants’, ‘Beautiful Gardens’, ‘Trees, Woods, and Forests’, and ‘Wildlife in the Garden’.
Kew Publishing Book of the Month |Palms of New Guinea by William Baker et al., with illustrations by Lucy T. Smith
From exquisite palmlets to graceful canopy giants, palms dominate rainforests of New Guinea, one of last tropical wilderness areas on the planet. New Guinea is the world’s largest tropical island and a globally significant biodiversity hotspot. Its extraordinary flora and remarkable 250 species of palm are vital for the people of New Guinea, who depend on them for their survival. Alongside over 650 photographs and 250 detailed maps, botanical artist Lucy T Smith has illustrated all species featured in Palms of New Guinea. This is the first comprehensive account of these immensely important plants, written by nine scientific experts.
Young Botanical Artist Exhibition | Until 7 April - Entry included in admission
Until April, Gallery 6 of Kew Gardens’ Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art will showcase 50 shortlisted artworks from the inaugural Young Botanical Artist Competition. Created by The Shirley Sherwood Collection in collaboration with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the competition was open exclusively to entrants aged 16-25, and offers a unique opportunity for the next generation of botanical artists to showcase their work in a gallery setting.
Short courses
Why not learn a new skill and sign up for a short course at Kew? Led by a selection of experts, these one-day courses offer unique opportunities to develop fresh skills within the stunning surroundings of Kew’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Beaded jewellery workshop | 15 March | 10.30am- 1.30pm or 3pm- 6pm | Nash Conservatory
Rayane Chami's jewellery-making classes will teach you how to make beaded jewellery using freshwater pearls. These workshops offer an unintimidating space to unwind, learn a new skill, and meet new people. It will be an intimate workshop with no more than 15 attendees.
Modern calligraphy workshop | 28 March | 2pm – 4pm | Cambridge Cottage
Modern calligraphy is a fresh take on traditional calligraphy lettering, and allows you to incorporate your own style, making it completely unique.
Whether you are a beginner or an improver, this class is perfect for you.
Wakehurst
Horticultural Highlights
Signs of spring continue to appear across the Wakehurst landscape, with colourful crocuses lining the banks of The Slips, and the first rare rhododendron appear throughout the dramatic ravines of Westwood Valley in a range of bold colours. Look out for bright magnolia around the Water Gardens, and arching over The Slips boardwalk, welcoming visitors into spring.
Events
Bluey| 27 March – 14 April | 10am to 5.30pm, members early opening on select dates | Free with entry – pre-booking essential
Families can enjoy the enjoy the ultimate day out and design their own Bluey adventure this Easter. With play zones across the landscape, choose from a host of different activities inspired by well-loved Bluey episodes. There will be lots to do and see for children, including Nature Crowns sessions, and daily storytelling.
Nature Heroes: Plant Pals | 27 March – 14 April | £3 per child
Budding young adventurers can earn their next Nature Heroes badge at the Plant Pals mission, where children can learn what a plant needs to thrive and survive. Grab your superhero cape and get ready for the next mission.
Planet Wakehurst | All day | Free with entry
Experience the UK’s largest outdoor art installation, as the impressive Planet Wakehurst photomontage wraps the Mansion, which is undergoing restoration. The 1500m2 canvas, showcases the wealth of biodiversity at Wakehurst and will be up for all to enjoy. Experience a new view of the gardens on our Canopy Walk, 33ft up!
Wakehurst Workshops
Forest bathing | 9 March | 10am to 1pm or 2pm to 5pm | Members: £22.50, non-members: £25
Reconnect with nature and unwind from the stresses of everyday life. Based on the Japanese art of Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing allows you to slow down as you immerse yourself in the forest environment. Swedish teacher and workshop leader Helena Skoog will show you how to use all your senses to connect with your surroundings, drawing on the power of nature to relieve tension, relax and nourish your sense of wellbeing.
Dawn chorus walk | 23 and 30 March | 6am to 8pm | Members: £27, non-members: £30
Birdsong reaches its crescendo at this time of year, so bird lovers won't want to miss out. The dawn chorus is nature's best concert. Join local ecologist and naturalist Tom Forward for a walk around Wakehurst and tune your ears into the 'love' songs and calls of woodland and garden birds.
The Wakehurst chorus: Birdsong walk | 23 and 30 March | 10.30am to 12.30pm | Members: £27, non-members: £30
Learn how to recognise birds by their song, tune into their fight for territories or against predators, and at the same time feel more connected to the natural world. Join bird expert and ecologist Tom Forward for a walk around Wakehurst. Learn bird songs and calls with the aid of field guides, smartphone apps, and the old-fashioned way — listening and looking.
Exhibitions
Surviving or Thriving: An exhibition on plants and us| Daily, 10am – 3.30pm | Millennium Seed Bank | Included with entry
This exhibition brings Kew’s State of the World’s Plants reports to life, telling the story of why some plants are only surviving, while others are thriving. Through film, audio, models, and a futuristic garden, explore the challenges that plants face and discover the vital role of fungi.
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ENDS
Notes to Editors
About Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world-famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding collections and scientific expertise in plant and fungal diversity, conservation, and sustainable development in the UK and around the globe. Kew’s scientists and partners lead the way in the fight against biodiversity loss and finding nature-based solutions to the climate crisis, aided by five key scientific priorities outlined in Kew’s Science Strategy 2021-2025. Kew Gardens is also a major international and top London visitor attraction. Kew’s 132 hectares of historic, landscaped gardens, and Wakehurst, Kew’s Wild Botanic Garden and ‘living laboratory’, attract over 2.5 million visits every year. Kew Gardens was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003 and celebrated its 260th anniversary in 2019. Wakehurst is home to the Millennium Seed Bank, the largest wild plant seed bank in the world and a safeguard against the disastrous effects of climate change and biodiversity loss. RBG Kew received approximately one third of its funding from Government through the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and research councils. Further funding needs to support RBG Kew’s vital scientific and educational work comes from donors, memberships and commercial activity including ticket sales. For tickets, please visit www.kew.org/kew-gardens/visit-kew-gardens/tickets. In the first six months since implementing a new accessibility scheme for those in receipt of Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Legacy Benefits, Kew has welcomed over 50,000 visitors with £1 tickets.
About Wakehurst
Please note that Wakehurst is referred to just as Wakehurst, not Wakehurst Place. It is not a National Trust property.
Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex is home to the Millennium Seed Bank and over 500 acres of the world’s plants including temperate woodlands, ornamental gardens and a nature reserve. It is situated in the High Weald of Sussex, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and focuses on wild plant collections. The Millennium Seed Bank houses and protects seed from the world’s most substantial and diverse collection of threatened and useful wild plants, making it the most biodiverse place on earth.
RBG Kew receives just under half of its funding from Government through the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and research councils. Further funding needed to support Kew’s vital work comes from donors, membership and commercial activity including ticket sales.
In March 2021, RBG Kew launched its 10-year strategy Our Manifesto for Change 2021. The institution’s ultimate goal is step up to help to end the extinction crisis and contribute to creating a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. In the wake of a global pandemic, and with the future of the planet in peril, the strategy represents a public commitment by RBG Kew to do everything in its power to reverse the environmental devastation of biodiversity loss and climate change. The five key priorities are 1) Delivering science-based knowledge and solutions to protect biodiversity and use natural resources sustainably 2) Inspiring people to protect the natural world 3) Training the next generation of experts: 4) Extending our reach 5) Influencing national and international opinion and policy.
On May 25 2021 RBG Kew launched its new Sustainability Strategy – committing to become Climate Positive by 2030 and marking a step-change in our urgent action to tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis.
