Xstrata Treetop Walkway

The Rhizotron and Xstrata Treetop Walkway opened to the public in 2008 on International Biodiversity Day. It was designed by Marks Barfield Architects, who also designed the London Eye.

Aerial view of Treetop Walkway and Temperate House

Xstrata Treetop Walkway

Did you know?

  • The walkway’s structure is based on a Fibonacci numerical sequence, which is often present in nature’s growth patterns.
  • The word ‘rhizotron’ derives from the Greek rhiza, which means 'root'.
  • Deforestation releases the same amount of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere as the whole of Europe’s fossil fuel burning.
  • Seven million trees grow in London.

 

The Rhizotron & Xstrata Treetop Walkway stands in the Arboretum, between the Temperate House and the Lake.

 

A path lined with examples of different timbers leads visitors below ground to the Rhizotron. Inside, an installation explains the relationships that exist between tree roots, the soil and organisms such as nematodes, beetles, woodlice and bacteria. On the floor is a mosaic inspired by the mutually beneficial relationships that exist between many plant roots and fungi.

The 18-metre high, 200-metre walkway guides visitors around the crowns of lime, sweet chestnut and oak trees. Supported by rusted steel columns that blend in with the natural environment, it provides opportunities for inspecting birds, insects, lichen and fungi at close quarters, as well as seeing blossom emerging and seed pods bursting open.

Things to look out for

At the entrance to the Rhizotron and Xstrata Treetop Walkway are sculptures carved from tree trunks. The carvings illustrate microscopic elements of trees, and help explain how trees grow. Visitors learn, for example, that leaves have breathing pores shaped like lips and that tubes called ‘phloem’ pump sap from leaves to fruits and roots.

Kids’ Mission

  • Can you find out how much carbon a 70-year-old tree releases to the environment when it dies?
  • How much water does a large broad-leafed tree need to drink every hour on a hot summer afternoon?
  • How many trees disappeared on 16 October 1987?

The Xstrata Treetop Walkway lift remains out of order

The Xstrata Treetop Walkway lift has proved unreliable since it was brought into service. After exhaustive investigation it has been decided that an alternative solution to the current lift will need to be found. Investigations are underway as to what the options are.

Please note that the lift is for disabled access only and the main route of access to the top of Xstrata Treetop Walkway is up a staircase (118 stairs).

We sincerely apologise if this affects your visit today.

33 comments on 'Xstrata Treetop Walkway'

Jonathan Gantley says

14/03/2010 3:30:54 PM | Report abuse

Dear Kew, I think the gardens are wonderful in all weathers. Right I am disabled with moblity problems, I can walk up stairs but now I find it harder due to the fact I have a tracki and this makes me need to take breath more often than I did before. I know it is not your fault that the lift is 'out of working order', I think if I remember right the whole Tree Top Walkway was made and built by the same company that built the 'London Eye' So I find it diffiult to understand why who ever put the lift in left the wires etc open to the elements, so when it rained water got into the workings of the lift. I am still waiting to get up! I was on the Access Forum who helped revamp Kew Palace to how it is today, so I will put my thinking hat on and see if I can come up with a solution to the lift problem. Regards, Jonathan Gantley Member of Historic Royal Palaces (Hampton Court Palace) Access Forum

ray daniel says

09/03/2010 10:44:01 AM | Report abuse

I have a disabled son in Wheelchair who loves trees and I hope you can give this some priority as for probably 2 nearly 3 years the same message has been on the web site. It' ssuch a great Idea would love to see it work. Ray

Digital Media Team says

09/03/2010 12:01:45 AM | Report abuse

Hi Bob, yes that's right. The Xstrata Treetop Walkway is open at Kew Gardens. The 18 metre high walkway is accessible via a stair case. The lift is not in service at the moment.

Bob says

08/03/2010 8:22:44 PM | Report abuse

Hello. I want to make sure I understand. The walkway is open (there are stairs that can be climbed); it's the lift that is not working. Is this correct?

Digital Media Team says

01/03/2010 10:27:56 AM | Report abuse

As soon as the Treetop Walkway lift is working we will update this page with the information, so please check back before your visit.

gill leatherday says

28/02/2010 8:32:16 PM | Report abuse

I intend to visit london this summer with my disabled mum,is access to the walkway likely to be up and running by then

Kew Feedback Team says

25/02/2010 12:59:20 PM | Report abuse

Dear Leah, we can assure you that Kew shares your frustration at both the severity of the problems with the Walkway lift and the length of time it is taking to resolve. The lift and the walkway structures were provided to Kew by two different contractors. We were assured that these two structures would work well together but this has not proven to be the case. As a result we have spent the last two years identifying and testing possible solutions to the problem, unfortunately with no success. As our previous statement suggests, we now accept that the current lift design is not compatible with the Walkway structure and are in the process of identifying alternative lift solutions. The reason we are not able to comment more fully on the situation is that Kew is currently involved in contractual negotiations with the lift suppliers. In the meantime we thank you for your patience and assure you that we are doing everything we can to rectify this serious problem.

Digital Media Team says

19/02/2010 2:39:43 PM | Report abuse

Thanks for your question Ami. Yes, there is a set of stairs providing access to the Xstrata Treetop Walkway.

Ami says

18/02/2010 10:41:41 PM | Report abuse

And is there a alternative to the lift? Are there stairs people can use to get to the walkway? Planning a visit and would love to see the treetop walkway.

Leah says

17/02/2010 2:15:38 PM | Report abuse

Please could you explain exactly why it is taking so long to fix the problem with the lift, instead of just saying it is being attended to. It is quite puzzling as to what could be taking so long - maybe you would find people were more understanding if you could explain it a little more. Who knows if it's a money problem you might even find people will donate so that others that are less able can enjoy the view. Just a thought.

Digital Media Team says

15/02/2010 2:54:49 PM | Report abuse

Thanks for your question Noémie. The Xstrata Treetop Walkway is open during Garden opening hours. Have a wonderful time on your visit.

Noémie says

14/02/2010 8:38:46 PM | Report abuse

is the treetop walkway always open then? even with the lift out of order? I'd like to visit this week and this is one of the main things i wanted to see. thanks

noe says

02/02/2010 9:58:15 AM | Report abuse

I am really impressed with the architecture of the walkway and its view.please make sure that lft is fixrd son so that ca tke my grndmoher up here. thnkds.

Kew Digital Media Team says

21/01/2010 11:40:47 AM | Report abuse

Dear Alison, The Treetop Walkway is open to visitors, although the lift is currently out of order. We hope you enjoy your visit!

Alison says

19/01/2010 3:06:10 PM | Report abuse

When will the tree top walkway be open again please? I'd like to visit at the weekend. Thanks.

Tim says

12/01/2010 10:25:18 AM | Report abuse

I like bugs.

Digital Media Team says

04/01/2010 11:38:04 AM | Report abuse

Thanks for pointing this out Matt. This seems to be a bug in the system that we are now looking at.

Matt says

04/01/2010 9:29:38 AM | Report abuse

Why is the apostrophe on the end of 'Xstrata Treetop Walkway' on a whole separate line from the rest of the sentence!? (at the top of the comments section) It seems rather stupid!

Digital Media Team says

17/12/2009 1:19:43 PM | Report abuse

Thanks for your question Susan. Kew Gardens is 326 acres and depending on the season, you can see most of our beautiful landscape from the top of the Xstrata Treetop Walkway.

Georges says

25/11/2009 12:30:10 AM | Report abuse

Wow! what a great idea. Looking forward to my next visit to Kew to explore the walkway. Not a canopy raft, but it should give us some of the feeling.

phil bainbridge says

24/11/2009 10:01:58 PM | Report abuse

Fantastic a must for all tree lovers

Susan says

24/11/2009 10:07:43 AM | Report abuse

How many acres do the Gardens actually cover? and can you see it all from the walkway?

Michelle says

24/11/2009 9:52:21 AM | Report abuse

I like trees.

Feedback team says

19/11/2009 11:01:47 AM | Report abuse

Thanks for your comment Bernard. The latest update on the status of the Xstrata Treetop Walkway lift is published above on this page. We will update this notice as soon as new information comes through.

Bernard says

18/11/2009 7:07:41 PM | Report abuse

I came here the other day with my grandson and unfortunately was unable to get onto the walkway itself due to my back problems. Surely the lift should be fixed by now, why is it taking so long?

Kew Feedback team says

12/11/2009 6:23:02 PM | Report abuse

Thanks for your comment Abi. We welcome constructive feedback. We're sorry to hear about this incident though and would like to assure you, and others, that steps are being taken to improve communication about accessibility to school groups. As a result of your feedback the education team have revised the documentation sent to teachers to include information about accessibility. We've also added a notice to this page.

Abi Young says

05/11/2009 8:35:00 PM | Report abuse

I took my class on a trip to Kew this week and we had a fantastic day, despite the rain! The highlight of the day for the children was definitely the Xstrata walkway. Unfortunately a disabled boy in my class was very disappointed that he was unable to join in the learning experience at the top with his friends because the lift was out of action. Perhaps the information about the lift problem should be communicated in a more high profile manner to schools as this message on your website is fairly discreet? The booking department were fully aware of the needs of our party.

Jason says

27/10/2009 10:29:00 AM | Report abuse

I climbed it this weekend and was rewarded with an amazing view of autumnal coloured trees stretching off into the distance. One young guy at the bottom said that it was the scariest thing he'd done all year! I saw lots of older people too but it's a shame that the lift isn't working yet for those whose legs aren't good enough for the ascent. Hopefully it'll be fixed soon.

Kew Digital Media Team says

09/10/2009 1:55:00 PM | Report abuse

Thank you for your comments. We have forwarded these on to our feedback team.

marilyn Leach says

08/10/2009 8:55:00 PM | Report abuse

I totally agree with Roger Kirby about the lift I am waiting to bring my elderly mother!

Roger kirby says

08/10/2009 11:31:00 AM | Report abuse

I have been on the walkway several times, but unfortunately I cannot bring my friend who is in a wheelchair, as the lift is not working, surely after nearly 18 months the problem should have been sorted out and accese available to everyone, not only those are "fit and able".

julie says

04/10/2009 10:12:00 AM | Report abuse

brilliant experience i took my dad 84 years we loved it

Duncan says

30/09/2009 11:52:00 PM | Report abuse

I went on this walkway and it was ace.

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