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Butterflies, bugs and beasties at Kew Gardens, 2010
This event has ended. Find out about Kew's current and up coming events here.
Explore the hidden world of plant pollination and witness a living love story this summer at Kew Gardens. Our festival is packed full of exciting things to see and do with all the family, see below what we have on offer so you don’t miss out!
Butterflies, Bugs & Beasties
The Princess of Wales Conservatory will be transformed into Butterflies, Bugs & Beasties. Be surrounded by tropical orchids and lush ferns whilst walking through a flutter of live colourful butterflies!
Come face-to-face with gigantic sculptures of insects, birds and bats which will help narrate the fascinating stories of how they pollinate.
Latest video: watch how the atlas moths are reared at Kew Gardens
PLANTastic Play
Discover our new children's outdoor play area, shaped like a plant. Journey through this interactive landscape where kids can learn about the importance of every part of a plant.
Tunnel through giant roots, get lost in a leafy maze and hide amongst the large fungi whilst solving puzzles along the way!
Get involved - things to do at home
Get inspired by our Summer Festival - watch our butterfly video or create your own origami bugs & beasties. Help biodiversity in your local area by making your garden a place that wildlife loves to visit, and share photos of what you're doing...
More information and ideas
Your Kew
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byacornuser
Ginger Snaps Orchid, "Orchids @ KEW Festival" (9 February 2013 to 10 March 2013), KEW Gardens
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Vivian Orchid, "Orchids @ KEW Festival" (9 February 2013 to 10 March 2013) (Part 1 of 3)
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Vivian Orchid, "Orchids @ KEW Festival" (9 February 2013 to 10 March 2013) (Part 2 of 3)
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Vivian Orchid, "Orchids @ KEW Festival" (9 February 2013 to 10 March 2013) (Part 3 of 3)
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Yellow With Pink Stripe Orchid, "Orchids @ KEW Festival" (9 February 2013-10 March 2013) (2)
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Yellow With Pink Stripe Orchid, "Orchids @ KEW Festival" (9 February 2013-10 March 2013) (1)
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Spotters Hill Orchid, "Orchids @ KEW Festival" (9 February 2013 to 10 March 2013) (Part 1 of 2)
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Spotters Hill Orchid, "Orchids @ KEW Festival" (9 February 2013 to 10 March 2013) (Part 2 of 2)
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Blossom Kew Gardens Spring 2013 IV
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Vanda Orchids Wall, "Orchids @ KEW Festival" (9 February 2013 to 10 March 2013), KEW Gardens
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Purple Vanda Orchid, "Orchids @ KEW Festival" (9 February 2013 to 10 March 2013) (Part 1 of 3)
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We invite photographers to capture the sights at Kew and Wakehurst. These images are a selection of images submitted by photographers from around the world. We hope you enjoy them. You can see more on Flickr.
What's on this summer at Kew
Latest Blog Posts
Conserving Darwin's Letters
by: Eleanor Hasler, Library, Art and Archives blog17 May 2013
Discover more about the conservation work carried out on one of the most important, popular and fascinating collection in the Archives.
- 9 likes
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How to Create a “Slab-Planted” Bonsai
by: Richard Kernick, Bonsai blog13 May 2013
Richard, Kew’s bonsai specialist, and renowned bonsai expert Nobuyuki Kajiwara look into the process of creating a “slab-planted” Japanese white pine bonsai.
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Rory McEwen - The Colours of Reality
by: Joanne Yeomans, Library, Art and Archives blog10 May 2013
A new exhibition at the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art showcases botanical illustration from artist Rory McEwen, along with his other artistic talents.
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Mapping Coffee in Ethiopia part two
by: Paul Little, GIS team blog08 May 2013
Kew photographer Paul Little has just returned from accompanying a field trip to the Highlands of Ethiopia to research the impact of climate change on the vital coffee crop. Read part two of his diary of the trip.
- 4 likes
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Bringing Kew's Archive Alive
by: The Trading Consequences Team, Library, Art and Archives blog02 May 2013
In this guest blog from the Trading Consequences team, find out how digital data produced by Kew's Directors' Correspondence team is being brought to life and can be used to visualise the British Empire's 19th Century trade networks
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