What’s on this April at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst
Release date: 13 March 2024
- Bluey bounds into Kew Gardens and Wakehurst for Easter
- Sounds of Blossom continues at Kew
- Last chance to see Mat Collishaw: Petrichor, ends 7 April
- Final days of Young Botanical Artists exhibition
- Horticultural highlights include cherry blossom, tulips and early bluebells
- Coming soon: Marc Quinn: Light into Life at Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens
Bluey | Kew Gardens and Wakehurst until 14 April, included in admission
The hugely popular animated BBC television series Bluey comes 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.
Sounds of Blossom | Until 14 April, included in admission
This spring, immerse yourself in Sounds of Blossom at Kew Gardens until 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.
Petrichor by Mat Collishaw | Must end 7 April - entry included in admission
Finishing this month in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art at Kew Gardens, Petrichor is a 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 - Spring
Horticultural highlights on display this month at Kew Gardens include magnificent magnolias in bloom across the gardens. Visitors can also enjoy the early cherry blossom around the Temperate House, alongside bluebells in the Natural Area.
At Wakehurst, spring colour emerges with daffodils bordering Mansion Pond, and bright magnolia blossoming throughout the Water Gardens and wider landscape, and rhododendron boarding ravines throughout the landscape.
Kew Publishing Book of the Month | An Ancient Mesopotamian Herbal by Barbara Böck, Shahina A. Ghazanfar and Mark Nesbitt
Throughout the world, traditional medical systems continue to be important to healthcare. They vary greatly in their underlying beliefs, but almost all share the use of herbal medicines as a central practice. Drawing on the expertise of Assyriologists, botanists and archaeologists, An Ancient Mesopotamian Herbal explores the deep history of plants in traditional medicine and offers a groundbreaking reassessment of existing research.
Young Botanical Artist Exhibition | Until 7 April - entry included in admission
Until 7 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.
Garden design for beginners | 2 April | 10.30am – 4pm | Cambridge Cottage
Led by award-winning gardener and author, Christine Lavelle, this course will help you look at your garden to get the most out of your space. Topics covered will include landscape, plants, colour and accessories, as well as looking at the correct plants for your garden whilst learning where to position them.
Right plant, right place | 4 April | Cambridge Cottage
Plant selection for the garden can be tricky. This one-day course will give you lots of ideas and inspiration for plants that suit different situations and soil conditions, in both sunny and shady spots.
Botanical sketchbook study: Intermediate | 15 – 17 April | 10.30am – 4pm | Botanical Brasserie Restaurant Courtyard
Do you already know the fundamental of botanical sketching but want to improve your skills? This is the course for you. Over three days, botanical artist Lucy Smith will teach you how to explore plant material in detail. Using a range of media, you will learn to record a wealth of information from life through detailed sketchbook-style study.
Coming Soon: Marc Quinn: Light into Life | 4 May – 29 September
This May, Kew Gardens will play host to a major new exhibition from contemporary artist Marc Quinn. Exploring the relationship between people and plants, Light into Life will encompass monumental sculptures across the Gardens, alongside a dedicated presentation of works in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art. Offering moments of thoughtful reflection and interaction across Kew, Light into Life examines our complex relationship with the natural world and features a selection of brand-new artworks, unveiled for the first time this summer.
Wakehurst
Horticultural Highlights
Visitors can spot spring colour across the Wakehurst landscape, with rare rhododendron appearing throughout the dramatic ravines of Westwood Valley in a range of bold colours. Catch the last of the magnolia around the Water Gardens, and look out for the first Irises and lilies beginning to appear.
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 | 13 April | 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.
Healing sound bath | 13 April | 10am to 11.30am, 12.30 to 2pm and 3pm to 4.30pm | Members: £19.80, non-members: £22
Receive the healing vibrations and sacred sounds of the gongs in our stunning outdoor space in the heart of Wakehurst. This workshop is a chance to relax in a beautiful, quiet space in nature where you will be taken on an inner journey with sound.
The Wakehurst chorus: Birdsong walk | 14 April | 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.