Kew in 2009

Public Education

Guided Tours

Kew

Themed Tours

Kew 250th Anniversary Walking Tours

The Power of Plants - throughout 2009

Daily at 12 noon, This anniversary tour celebrates the vital importance of plants to life on Earth and Kew's scientific work to conserve and enhance plant life worldwide   Tours start from the Guides' Desk, just inside Victoria Plaza - FREE

Kew - Then and Now   May - August

Daily 2.30pm.   Discover more about the eventful history of Kew.   This tour compares Kew as it is today to Kew as it was over the course of its 250-year history

Kew - not just a pretty place     Series of Behind-the-Scenes Tours:

Kew is not just a beautiful garden; it is also an important horticultural and scientific institution.   Kew Guides' ambitious programme of tours span most of 2009 giving visitors the chance to see the vital work that goes on behind-the-scenes.   The series begins with a tour of the Tropical Nurseries in February and early March as part of the Tropical Extravaganza Festival, followed by the Alpine Nursery In April and May; the Jodrell Laboratories in June and July, the Herbarium in August and September; and finally the Economic Botany collection in October and November.   £5 per person, booking essential call 020 8332 5604 or email tours@kew.org

Kew - not just a pretty place : Tropical Extravaganza Festival 7 February - 8 March

Orchid Nurseries

10 Feb - 5 Mar, Tues & Thurs

On these special tours, you'll find out about the skills of Kew's orchid growers and get an insight into the techniques they use to care for the diverse collection of living orchids.  

Tours start in front of the White Peaks shop at 1.30, 2.00 & 2.30. The first 2 tours will be followed by Q & A sessions with a member of the horticultural staff and cost £5 per person; the 2.30 tour will be followed by an orchid potting demonstration and cost £15 per person.   Tours must be booked in advance by calling 020 8332 5604 or emailing tours@kew.org    Tours are limited to10 places, issued on a first-come, first-served basis

Kew - not just a pretty place: Tropical Extravaganza Festival 7 February - 8 March

Tropical Nurseries

13 Feb - 6 Mar, Fridays, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm with Q & A session, £5.per person Tours must be booked in advance by calling 020 8332 5604 or emailing tours@kew.org    Tours are limited to10 places, issued on a first-come, first-served basis

Orchids Hands-on Sessions: Tropical Extravaganza Festival 7 February - 8 March

On Wednesdays and Sundays throughout the Tropical Extravaganza Festival, Kew's Volunteer Guides are offering you a chance to take a closer look at dried and pressed specimens from Kew's Herbarium and jars of orchid flowers from the Spirit Collection.   Find out how Kew's orchid specialists use these fascinating specimens to identify orchids, evaluate their rarity and catalogue the orchids from different parts of the world.   You will also be able to investigate jars and dishes of tiny orchid seedlings from Kew's Micropropagation Unit, where growers carefully nurture tiny orchid seeds on nutrient-rich gels.   Their skills ensure reliable germination and increase the number of rare orchids, for exchange with other orchid growers or possible reintroduction to their natural habitats.

Hands-on sessions take place 2 - 4pm in the Secluded Garden Glasshouse (across the lawn from the Princess of Wales Conservatory) FREE

Kew - not just a pretty place: The Alpine Collection - April, May 2009

Tours start in front of the Plants + People Exhibition on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1.30 pm and last approximately 1½ hours. Tours cost £5 per person and must be booked in advance by calling 020 8332 5604 or emailing tours@kew.org    Tours are limited to10 places, issued on a first-come, first-served basis

This tour will take visitors through the Rock Garden, the Davies Alpine House and then, behind-the-scenes, into the 'Melon Yard' - the historic name given to the nursery where Kew propagates and grows its main alpine collection.   At the end of the tour there will be a 15 minute Q & A session with a member of staff.

For further information:

Tel: 0208 332 5604 (weekdays only)
Email: tours@kew.org

Related services:

• Kew Explorer - a regular service running each day, covering the major areas of the gardens. Ticket holders are able to get on and off throughout the day.

• Discovery - a mobility service to enable groups of people with special needs to enjoy the magic of the gardens. Must be booked in advance.
  

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