Press Release

Disused chapel pressed into service

FAMILIES have been flocking to a former chapel at Kew's country garden in West Sussex which has been transformed into a children's zone and indoor picnic area.

The one-time chapel, in the mansion at Wakehurst Place, was used as a ballroom by the estate's previous owners. Now it is a central part of Kew's learning programme for schools and families at the Ardingly estate.

"We are welcoming more and more young people to Wakehurst to find out about nature and plants", explains head of learning Christine Newton.

The new area is designed for children to be able to explore and discover for themselves about the importance of plants in the world around them. It has been funded by generous donations to the Friends of Kew at Wakehurst Place.

"We are extremely grateful to the Friends for making this exciting project possible", adds Christine. "The family area has been open for only a few days, but is already proving immensely popular with children, parents, grandparents and carers.”

Among the many activities on offer are giant jigsaws, discovery boxes, puzzles, and activity sheets on wildlife, the seasons, and plant uses.

All under 17 are admitted free to Wakehurst under Kew’s policy to increase education. The 500-acre estate and Millennium Seed Bank exhibition are open daily (except 24 and 25 Dec) from10am. Winter closing is at 4pm. Tel 01444 894066 www.kew.org --ends—

Media enquiries to the press office on 01444 894018 msb@kew.org

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