Press Release

A Traditional Kew Christmas

9 December 2006 – 1 January 2007

When the crowds in the town centre begin to get too much, yet another office party is not looking attractive and you are clean out of ideas for presents, then perhaps it's time to sneak off and relax at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew's traditional Christmas celebrations. Come and see Kew 's landscape transformed with Christmas lights and decorations, be greeted by the sound of bell ringing at weekends and amazed by the scale of our Christmas Tree – a 30 metre high heritage Cedar. And if it is the weather that is getting you down, Kew 's vast glasshouses will give you a little taste of the exotic.

In Santa's twinkling winter wonderland dell, which will be decorated with natural materials and foliage from the Gardens, children can meet Father Christmas who will be in residence (9, 10, 16 – 23 December, 12noon – 3.30pm ) to hear all those wishes. Nearby, children have the opportunity to meet and feed Rudolph and friends (16 – 23 December, 10am – 3.30pm ) as the reindeer prepare for their mammoth flight. There is also the chance to take a ride on the Victorian carousel or horse and carriage (9 – 23 December, 10am – 3.30pm ).

For a botanical twist on the traditional pantomime come and watch the Climbers and Creepers ‘planto' (9 & 10, 16 to 23 December, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm) where characters from the play zone such as Buzzie Bee and Snap, Trap and Venus the fly traps, will interpret ‘Jack and the Beanstalk' in a 20 minute show. Climbers and Creepers will be having a ‘Natural Christmas' where craft sessions will involve making natural Christmas decorations (20 December – 1 January, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm ). After Christmas there will also be festive story-telling in the Munch Book at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm until 1 January 2007.

Kew 's volunteer guides will be highlighting the beauty of the conifer tree on festive themed tours on 9, 10, 16, 17 December 2006 and between 24 December and 1 January 2007, starting at 12noon from the Friends' desk inside Victoria Plaza.

Free Festive Late Night Openings
15 & 16 December 2006, 4 – 9pm

Escape the hustle and bustle of the West End at this time of year and take time to enjoy the merriment of the season at one of Kew 's free festive Late Night Openings. Each evening, the Gardens will be beautifully transformed as the trees and iconic Palm House are lit with a kaleidoscope of alternating beams of colour projected against the dark night sky. There will be a chance to sing along with the choir to your favourite Christmas carols, in front of Kew 's Grade I listed Orangery for the first time, between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on each evening. Inside the Orangery, one will be able to dine on seasonal fare, whilst elsewhere there will be roast chestnuts, mulled wine and gingerbread men to nibble on.

Father Christmas will be leaving the preparations for Christmas Eve in the elves' capable hands so that he can meet children on both evenings (in White Peaks , 5pm – 7.45pm ). The Climbers and Creepers characters will also be staying up late to perform a special evening ‘planto'!

You needn't miss out on gift gathering while enjoying yourself at Kew Gardens. Kew's retail outlets will also be open offering a wide range of unique gifts to suit all tastes.

Ice Rink
25 November 2006 – 7 January 2007

The ice rink returns this year to its magical woodland setting in front of the majestic Temperate House for a six week season commencing in November. The real-ice rink will measure approximately 1000 square metres with a capacity of 250 per hourly session. The Ice Rink Café alongside the ice rink will be serving warming drinks and festive snacks for those wanting to take it easy and relax after their skate or whilst watching others take to the ice.

Press Preview: 4 – 6pm, Friday 24 November 2006. Please register your interest with the Kew Gardens Press Office on 020 8332 5607 or email pr@kew.org.

Evening Wine Tasting Event
7 December 2006, 6.30 – 8.30pm

With only eighteen days to the big day, attending Kew's evening wine tasting event and listening to wine connoisseur and writer Will Stockland's inspiring talk about wine should give you a few good ideas as to what grapes should grace the Christmas table. Participants will be able to try ten different samples, including champagne, a selection of red and white wines, port and a dessert wine in the surrounding of the Education Centre at Kew's Museum No. 1 with its amazing view of the iconic Palm House, spectacular Christmas lights and illuminated trees surrounding the Palm House Pond. All tickets £25.

Conifer Trail Tours
26 December 2006 – 1 January 2007 , 12pm

Enjoy a brisk walk through Kew 's Pinetum with our Volunteer Guides leaving from the Guides' Desk in Victoria Plaza . Free of charge.

Stir-up Sunday
26 November 2006

Watch a demonstration on the ingredients used in the traditional Christmas Pudding. This is an all day event taking place in Kew 's Orangery Restaurant.

Notes to Editors:

Christmas Festival

For further information please contact Lauren Bird, Oliver Basciano or Anna Quenby in the Kew Gardens press office on 020 8332 5607 or email pr@kew.org.

Images can be browsed and downloaded at http://www.kew.org/press/images/index.html. Please contact the press office for a username and password.

Kew Gardens opens daily at 9.30am and closes at 4.15pm. Last admission to the Gardens is at 3.45pm. Glasshouses, galleries close at 3.45pm. Catering outlets close at 3.15pm. Climbers and Creepers is open from 10.30am until 3.45pm. Admission is £9.50 adults, £6.50 concessions and FREE to children under the age of 17.

Admission to the Festive Late Night Openings is FREE to all after 4pm. Donations to Kew's charitable Foundation are welcome. The Gardens will close at 9pm. Catering and shopping outlets will close at 8.30pm, Climbers and Creepers & Father Christmas will close at 7.45pm.

Please note that the Gardens are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but will be open on Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Further visitor information can be gained by visiting www.kew.org, calling 020 8332 5655 or emailing info@kew.org.

All children's activities are FREE, bar the carousel and horse and carriage rides for which there will be a charge per person, payable locally.

Ice Rink

For further information please contact Paul Savident at PWR on 020 8567 2089 or 07976 401 572 or email paul@savident.com.

The ice rink is open between 25 November 2006 and 7 January 2007 (not Christmas Day).

Ticket Prices per session including skate hire:

Please note that there is a £1 entrance charge to the Kew Gardens Ice Rink and Cafe only. This ticket or can be purchased along with any valid skating ticket. Skates are not allowed to be worn inside the café.

Advanced booking online at www.kewgardensicerink.com or once the rink is open, tickets may be purchased at the Victoria Gate skating booth, depending on availability. Please note that a service fee of £1.75 will be added to the total transaction value when booking online, no other booking fee applies.

For school parties and corporate bookings call PWR Events direct on 020 8241 9818 – please note that there is no booking fee for group bookings.

There will be 10 one-hour skating sessions per day from 10.00am.

10.00am-11.00am, 11.00am – Noon, 12.15pm – 1.15pm, 1.30pm – 2.30pm, 2.45pm – 3.45pm, 4.00pm – 5.00pm, 5.15pm – 6.15pm, 6.30pm – 7.30pm, 7.45pm – 8.45pm, 9.00pm – 10.0pm.

Minimum skate size: Children's size 9. Maximum skate size: Adult size 13.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Kew Gardens is a major international visitor attraction and its 132 hectares of landscaped gardens attract over one million visitors per year. Kew was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003 and represents over 250 years of historical landscape. The site houses over 40 listed buildings and other structures including the Palm House, Temperate House, Orangery and Pagoda as well as two ancient monuments, Queen Charlotte's Cottage and Kew Palace. RBG, Kew is a world famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding living collection of plants and world-class herbarium as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world. www.kew.org.

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