Press Release

Groups awed by Wakehurst autumn colour

Groups visiting Wakehurst Place, West Sussex, this autumn will be awed by the supreme seasonal colours that abound throughout the gardens and woodlands. Such beauty is particularly poignant this year as the 500 acre estate commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Great Storm that ravaged south east England in 1987.

Wakehurst, ‘Kew 's country garden', was devastated by the storm's damage, losing nearly 20,000 trees. Any evidence of this, however, is now in the past as the estate boasts an impressive arboretum that includes national collections of birch and southern beech. The variety and scale of the collection gives Wakehurst an outstanding range of leaf colour though October, November and into December, making it especially popular with visitors at this time of year.

Wakehurst is planting an avenue of trees to celebrate its rejuvenation, ready for autumn visitors to enjoy. An exhibition of photography will also be on display from September through December, to tell the story of the storm and Wakehurst's remarkable recovery.

In addition to formal gardens, natural woodlands and a sixteenth century Mansion, Wakehurst is home to the Millennium Seed Bank, the largest wild seed collection in world, which recently celebrated the banking of its billionth seed. An interactive exhibition explains the pioneering role of the seed bank and visitors are able to see the work of scientists at first hand.

Pre-booked groups of 10 or more paying visitors can take advantage of a 20% discount on entry to the gardens and Millennium Seed Bank. They can also book tables for lunch or afternoon tea at The Stables Restaurant, where the menu features only fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.

Wakehurst Place is on the B2028 between Ardingly and Turners Hill, West Sussex (Junction 10 off the M23). It is open daily, from 10am, except December 24 and 25. For more information and to book a group visit, telephone 01444 894066 or log on to www.kew.org.

-ENDS-

Information and Images

MEDIA enquiries to the Press Office on 01444 894018 or email msb@kew.org

Images are available at www.kew.org/press/images/wakehurst. Please contact the press office for username and password to download high resolution images.

For further Press information please contact: