Press Release

A Magical Christmas at Kew

November 2007

A magical Christmas at Kew: With snow guaranteed!

1 December 2007 – 1 January 2008

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is being transformed into a magically fun, festive and unique place to visit this Christmas, continuing a tradition of fresh air and seasonal glitter.

Families are always guaranteed a great day out at Kew Gardens, and there are exciting adventures in store for all children who visit this winter. Kew is always a perfect place for families looking for a fun and insightful, enlightening day out. This year will see an extra special addition to the celebrations however; guaranteed snow! A huge 12m diameter dome containing a winter wonderland, complete with a ‘snow' storm & northern lights creating an arctic environment at Kew. Young visitors will have the chance to meet a jolly Father Christmas in a special visit to his festive wooded dell (1 and 2 Dec, 8 and 9 Dec, 15 and 16 Dec and then Daily 17 – 23 Dec at no extra charge). Children can also explore White Peaks Children's Shop and have a ride on the near-by Victorian carousel (1 December until 2 January 2008) while parents can buy unique gifts designed especially for young explorers.

White peaks is located next to Climbers and Creepers, our botanical play zone, where the Christmas ‘planto' is being performed, a 20 minute show based on the traditional Aladdin story with a Kew twist. This is a great way to entertain children and for them to enjoy the fun and learn a little about plant conservation (1and 2 Dec, 8 and 9 Dec,15 and 16 Dec and 17 – 23 December).

Come and join in the fun and games at Climbers and Creepers, Kew's interactive play area this Winter and 'Christmas for the Planet' - activities and games using natural and recycled materials. Family activities will take place for accompanied children aged 3-9 years old every day from Saturday 15th December - Wednesday 2nd January. A games session starts at 1pm and arts and craft sessions start at 2pm and 3pm. Free sessions last for 30 minutes and are bookable on the day with a member of staff.

A special Christmas Wish Tree will also be in place this year, with a view to encourage all visitors to think about the environment we live in and how we can make positive changes in the New Year. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to record their wishes for our planet in a special book beneath the Wish Tree; every wish will then be tied to the Wish Tree as a festive ribbon. Daily festive horse & carriage rides will give visitors the chance to have a unique view of the Gardens.

This year, alongside the traditional magic of the season, visitors will get the chance to see the Henry Moore at Kew large-scale sculpture exhibition in the winter landscape. Or wrap up warm and follow a self guided trail across the Gardens' winter highlights, past Holly Walk and through the Winter Garden. As a special Christmas treat, we have asked Kew's experts for their selection of the best to see in the glasshouses. Come rain or shine, escape the chill of winter and explore the tropics and temperate regions in Kew's magnificent glasshouses. Dowload the trails at http://www.kew.org/events/winter-2007/whats-on/index.html.

Free Festive Late Night Openings

14 and 15 December 2007

Spending the evening in Kew Gardens is a really magical treat and this unique opportunity to visit a World Heritage Site by moonlight is open free of charge to the public this Christmas. Visitors can get a glimpse of what the Gardens look like outside the usual working hours and join the community of Kew from 4pm until 9pm in a warm and friendly celebration of Christmas. Remember to arrive early to enjoy the full festivities of the evening!

A winter walk lighting up some of Kew's beautiful trees and historic buildings will create an atmospheric display and visitors can join in a rousing carol concert creating an enchanting and beautiful evening. There will be activities for both children and adults, including a Victorian carousel and children's ride, and a feast of festive food to nibble on throughout the evening. Those who prefer leisurely shopping can exchange the overcrowded shops in the city for a relaxed shopping experience at Kew, with a range of traditional and luxurious gifts.

The festive spirit does not finish after Christmas Day at Kew , there will be activities for all ages from the 26 December until the 2 January 2008. Adults can still bask in the holiday spirit by attending informative tours throughout the Gardens, and children can take part in fun-filled activities in Climbers and Creepers.

Ice Rink

25 November 2007 – 6 January 2008

London's most beautiful ice-rink returns to Kew this year in its majestic woodland setting in front of the Temperate House, the world's largest Victorian glasshouse. This magnificent real-ice rink will be accompanied by the Ice Rink Café, where there will be warm drinks and festive snacks available, perfect for relaxing and watching the skaters. There will be lots of winter activities going on a Kew Gardens to accompany the Ice Rink, including the dazzling Henry Moore sculptures which will be displayed throughout the Gardens from the 15 September 2007 to the 30 March 2008 .

Henry Moore at Kew

15 September 2007 – 30 March 2008

Supported by The Gatsby Charitable Foundation

This powerful exhibition will highlight the inspiration that Moore took from nature and his enjoyment of seeing his works in a landscape setting. Moore liked to see his work in nature and placed it in the landscape around his home in the English countryside. This exhibition at Kew will see the seasons change from autumn through winter into spring around twenty-eight large-scale bronzes and is the first exhibition of its kind ever to be held in London .

Notes to Editors:

Christmas Festival

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

Images are available at www.kew.org/press/images, please contact the press office for the username and password.

More details on activities at Climbers and Creepers can be seen here

Kew Gardens opens daily at 9.30am and closes at 4.15pm. Last admission to the Gardens is at 3.45pm. Glasshouses and galleries close at 3.45pm. Climbers and Creepers is open from 10.30am until 3.45pm. Admission is £12.25 adults, £10.25 concessions and FREE to children under the age of 17. Extra charges apply for the carousel and snow dome.

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.

Ice Rink

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

The ice rink is open between 25 November 2007 and 6 January 2008 (not Christmas Day).

Ticket Prices are valid from the 1st of August and are per session including skate hire:

Please note that there is a £1 spectator charge for those people who do not wish to skate but watch others do so. Once at the ice rink all the viewing areas and Café Ice are free to access. 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 £2.75 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 or email groupbookings@pwrevents.com.

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

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.

The Henry Moore Foundation

The Henry Moore Foundation maintains the artist's studios and grounds at Perry Green in Hertfordshire, as well as the world's largest collection of Moore 's sculpture, drawings, graphics, textiles and tapestries. The Foundation is open to visitors from April to October, by appointment, 01279 843333. The collection is managed from Perry Green by the curatorial staff, who are actively involved in the research, support and curating of Moore's work worldwide. www.henry-moore-fdn.co.uk.

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