Press Release

Escape to the magical Woodland Wonders weekend at Kew Gardens

3 – 5 May 2008

Adventure into the less explored parts of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew this May Bank Holiday weekend and discover arts and crafts, tradition and folklore set amid the finest bluebell carpet in London. From the 3 to 5 May the popular Woodland Wonders festival will be returning to the serene conservation area of the Gardens, a real treat for those wanting a unique weekend which is fun for all the family.

A highlight for children this year will be the hugely fun and exciting Go Ape Zipline. Go Ape is an award-winning High Wire Forest Adventure company that has created a great way to explore the tree-tops and get a bit closer to nature! With 17 courses across the UK, it makes for an unbeatable outdoor family adventure. 

The native woodland in the conservation area of RBG Kew is managed as a nature reserve and native plants and animals are encouraged to thrive using traditional methods and management techniques such as coppicing. As part of Woodland Wonders, a variety of traditional skills will be on display and hands-on visitors will be able to take part in woodcarving workshops and hedge laying. For those that prefer to relax, entertainment will include wandering musicians, puppets shows, storytelling, Morris men and maypole dancing.

As always, conservation and sustainability will be a strong theme at Woodland Wonders. Bluebells flourish in the Conservation Area at Kew Gardens and tawny owls, sparrowhawks, green woodpeckers are often spotted in these tranquil areas. Visitors will be able to learn more about British wildlife by watching the majestic Birds of Prey demonstrations or talking to representatives from the London Wildlife Trusts or The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

All of this will take place in front of the beautiful Queen Charlotte's Cottage hidden in the arboretum. Visitors will have a special chance to explore this quaint 18th century building where King George III and his wife, Charlotte, would enjoy informal picnics and afternoon teas. The Cottage will be open from 10.30 until 16.30 over the bank holiday weekend.

If visitors enjoy this fascinating woodland experience they are encouraged to return to the arboretum in May for the summer The Year of The Tree Festival. The festival will kick off on 24 May with the opening of the Rhizotron and Xstrata Treetop Walkway. Supported by the Hanson Environment Fund, Kew's Rhizotron will give visitors a unique opportunity to delve into the natural world beneath the trees learning the vital relationships between the trees roots and the micro-organisms in the soil. Then rising 18 metres into the air the 200 metre long Xstrata Treetop walkway designed by Marks Barfield architects will allow visitors to wander through the canopy of sweet chestnuts, limes and broad-leaved oaks to discover birds, insects, lichens and fungi that rely on these huge organisms.

Notes to Editors

Story telling with Ghislaine Walker will take place at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00 on all three days with traditional tales lasting from 30 to 40 minutes each. Puppet shows with Athena will take place at 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 on all three days lasting 20 minutes. Birds of prey demonstrations will be at 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00 on all three days. Tours of the conservation area will be at 11:30, 12:00, 14:30 and 15:00 and last 1 hour. Tours are free but are limited to 15 people; please reserve your place with the guide 15 minutes before the tour starts. Chainsaw sculpture demonstrations will be from 9.30 until 17:00 on all three days. The Go Ape Zipline will be available from 9.30 until 17:00 on all three days. On Saturday 5 May Morris dancing will be with Thames Valley Morris men, Sunday 6 May with Ewell St Mary's Morris men and Monday 7 May with London Pride Morris men. Performances will be at 11:00, 12:30, 14:00 and 15:30. Maypole dancing with St Giles Maypole Dancers will be held at 11:30, 13:00 and 14:30.

Queen Charlotte's Cottage opening dates 2008: 3 - 5 May, 31 May until 28 September (weekends only 11.00 until 16.30).

For further information please contact the Press Office at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Please visit www.kew.org/press or contact pr@kew.org / 020 8332 5607. Images are available at www.kew.org/press/images. Please contact the RBG Kew Press Office for a username and password to download in high resolution format.

The Woodland Wonders festival finishes around 5.30pm each day. However until the 30th August 2008 Monday to Friday the Gardens will close at 6.30pm and 7.30pm on weekends. Please note closing times are subject to change and that last entry to the gardens is half an hour before the gardens close. From the 1 April 08 until the 31 March 09 admission will be £13 for adults and £12 for concession and FREE to children under the age of 17. Further visitor information can be gained by visiting www.kew.org, calling 020 8332 5655 or emailing info@kew.org .

Historic Royal Palaces: Historic Royal Palaces is the independent charity that looks after the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, the Banqueting House, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace and Queen Charlotte's cottage. We help everyone explore the story of how monarchs and people have shaped society, in some of the greatest palaces ever built (registered charity number 1068852). For further information please contact the press office on 0203 166 6166 or press@hrp.org.uk . www.hrp.org.uk

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 is a UNESCO-inscribed World Heritage Site 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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