Press Release

A Cracking Children's Christmas at Kew!

9 December 2006 – 1 January 2007

Kew Gardens is a winter wonderland for all ages this Christmas.

Father Christmas and his Reindeer

Father Christmas: 9, 10, 16 – 23 December 2006, 12noon – 3.30pm
Reindeer: 16 – 23 December 2006, 10am – 3.30pm

In Santa's twinkling winter woodland dell, which will be decorated with natural materials and foliage from the Gardens, children can meet Father Christmas who will be in residence to hear all those wishes. Nearby, children have the opportunity to meet and feed Rudolph and friends as the reindeer prepare for their mammoth flight.

Father Christmas will be in the White Peaks area and his reindeer will be nearby. Both FREE of charge.

The Climbers and Creepers ‘Plantomime'

9 & 10, 16 – 23 December 2006, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm

For a botanical twist on the traditional pantomime come and watch the Climbers and Creepers ‘planto' where characters from the botanical play zone, such as Buzzie Bee and Snap, Trap and Venus the fly traps, will interpret the story of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk' in a 20 minute show.

The Plantomime will take place in the Munch Box and is FREE of charge.

Christmas Crafts

Christmas Crafts: 20 December 2006 – 1 January 2007, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Colouring: 20 December 2006 – 1 January 2007, 11am – 12.30pm

Climbers and Creepers will be having a ‘Natural Christmas' where craft sessions will involve making natural Christmas decorations such as Woodland Santas, yule logs, Christmas gardens, and table centres. There will also be chance to plant bulbs ready for spring. Each morning there will be colouring and drawing sessions.

Spaces are limited and must be booked in Climbers and Creepers on the day. Activities are suitable for 3-9 year olds. All children must be accompanied by an adult during the activities, as they must be at all times whilst in Climbers and Creepers. All activities are FREE of charge.

Festive Story-telling

26 December 2006 – 1 January 2007, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm

When all the excitement has died down it's time to sit back and listen to a festive story told by a professional storyteller.

Story-telling will take place in the Munch Box between and is FREE of charge.

Rides

9 – 23 December 2006, 10am – 3.30pm

Children can enjoy a ride on a traditional Victorian Carousel or on a horse-drawn carriage up and down the Broadwalk.

Local charges apply.

Late Nights

15 & 16 December 2006, 4pm – 9pm

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 .

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 between 5pm and 7.45pm, and his reindeer will be just outside. Performances of the Christmas ‘Planto' will take place in Climbers and Creepers, with festive games taking place between 4.30pm and 5.30pm , and drop-in craft activities between 6.30pm and 7.30pm. The Christmas Carousel will also be open for rides (last ride at 7.45pm ).

Ice Rink

25 November 2006 – 7 January 2007 (except 25 December), 10am – 10pm

For older children, 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.

For further information please contact Paul Savident at PWR on 020 8567 2089 or 07966 014911 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.

Notes to Editors:

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.

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.

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.

For further Press information please contact: