Welcome to Kew Thinking Walks

We invite you to create your own Darwin-inspired Thinking Walks for families, schools, youth groups and outdoor organisations.

Thinking Walks complement The Great Plant Hunt, created by Kew, commissioned and funded by the Wellcome Trust.

The Great Plant Hunt aims to get the UK's primary schools and their pupils out and about and excited by nature.

Pick a Kew Thinking Walk | Create a Thinking Walk

Lily, Ash and Joseph the tortoise

What is a Thinking Walk?

Charles Darwin, the famous plant scientist, loved the outdoors. In his garden at Down House in Kent, he had a special pathway he called the Sandwalk.

Darwin regularly used his Sandwalk as a 'thinking path'. As he strolled along he could ponder questions raised by his research, and observe the plants and animals living around him.

Inspired by Darwin, Kew has designed four Thinking Walk themes that you can do in your local area:

Biodiversity – be amazed by the variety of plants.
Amazing Adaptations - discover how plants are adapted to their surroundings.
Seed Search - explore the ways that plants disperse their seeds.
Plant Spy - uncover the parts of the plant and what they do.

Darwin's Sandwalk at Down House, Kent

Who are Thinking Walks for?

Anyone and anywhere with outdoor space, in any part of the country can use Thinking Walks to explore their local patch - from Brownie groups in their local green space to hosting your own child's party in the garden at home.

Organisations such as botanical gardens, nature reserves and local parks may also hold Thinking Walks for you to join in with.

The sections below have everything you'll need to be able to organise your own Thinking Walk - long or short, big or small!

Pick a Kew Thinking Walk

Kew has created four 'ready made' Thinking Walks to help families, schools, youth groups and outdoor organisations explore their local area and get inspired by local plant life: