Kew’s first Thai-inspired orchids festival celebrates tranquillity, culture and heritage

Kew’s 23rd Orchids Festival

First time Kew’s annual floral extravaganza has been inspired by Thailand
Thailand is home to 1,100 species of orchids
After Hours programme includes dance, Thai cooking and cocktails

10 February – 11 March 2018, The Princess of Wales Conservatory

hailand’s vibrant colours, culture, and magnificent plant life will be the centrepiece of Kew Gardens 2018 Orchids Festival in February. Inside the tropical paradise of the Princess of Wales Conservatory, visitors to Kew’s 23rd annual Orchids Festival will get a chance to shake off the winter blues and get creative through a host of exciting new events and activities designed to appeal to all ages.

Colourful floral displays will welcome visitors as they enter the tropical glasshouse and wander through a magnificent Vanda tunnel bedecked with orchids of all colours, with three arches delicately covered with hanging orchids. Beautifully handcrafted floating Thai umbrellas will lead to an exquisite Bang Pa-In inspired orchid palace. A traditional Thai market boat and rice paddy will form an exquisite water display representing a typical bucolic scene, complete with a special Thai cart on loan from the Royal Thai Embassy, London.

As well as the stunning visual displays, visitors will be immersed in the sounds of Thailand’s everyday hustle and bustle as they enter the steamy glasshouse. From the grinding of ingredients and the sizzling of spices in a pan, to the tranquil sounds of an exotic spa, morning, noon, and night are captured throughout the diverse soundtracks.

Thailand is home to 1,100 species of orchids. Botanists have been naming and describing orchids for more than 250 years and Kew is a world leader in this field. Last year alone, 600 new species were discovered including three from Thailand. Many orchids have important medicinal properties as well as being revered globally for their delicate beauty.

Nick Johnson, Public Glasshouse Manager, RBG Kew says:

“I’m so excited to be creating this year’s Thai-inspired festival, which I think is going to be rare and beautiful. It will immerse visitors in the sights, senses and sounds of Thailand’s tranquil and unique culture, creating an explosion of colourful beauty that celebrates the wonder of orchids. We hope this journey will highlight the significance of plants for all walks of life, from the traditional and spiritual to the cultural and religious, all the while showing the importance of plant diversity and Kew’s work to protect, conserve and study plants.”

Thai Lounge

The Princess of Wales Conservatory film room will be transformed into a versatile Thai-themed activity area, where visitors can take a seat, put their feet up and learn about the beauty of orchids through a specially commissioned film, or take part in a fun family workshop over the half-term week.

Make your own Dendrobium flower

Visitors can take home their own inspired Thai orchid and create a memento of their experience taking home an illustrated Dendrobium flower.

Weekends

Weekends will be packed with foodie fun, live music and thought-provoking walks and talks.

Drop-in guided walks of the beautiful floral displays will be available between 11am – 1pm in the Princess of Wales Conservatory. Kew experts will be giving away hints and tips on orchid growth at noon and 2pm.

Visitors can also hear live Thai music at 1pm and 3pm in the catci zone and indulge in Thai cuisine delicacies as they enter and exit the steamy glasshouse.

February half-term activities

A floral workshop will entice and capture imaginations. Visitors can learn about Thai silk and agricultural processes as well as creating their own dyed silk pieces to both add to a growing display and to take home with them.

This year’s festival is hosted in partnership with the Royal Thai Embassy, London and partners. Entrance to the festival will be included in the daily entrance ticket. After Hours tickets can be purchased separately.

‘After Hours’ at Kew Gardens

15, 16, 22 and 23 February / 1 and 2 March
6.00pm – 9.30pm (last entry 9pm)

The Princess of Wales Conservatory will once again throw open its doors after dark for a series of intimate evenings amongst the hundreds and thousands of orchids and tropical flowers on display.

Experience an evening like no other in London with traditional dance performances, Thai cooking tips, Kew orchid expert drop-in sessions, Thai inspired cocktails and massage treatments. Explore the sensational flavours of Thai cuisine and find your style with traditional Thai dress for men and women.

Ends

For press enquiries please contact the Press Office: 020 8332 5607 / pr@kew.org

Notes to editors

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding collections as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world. Kew Gardens is a major international and a top London visitor attraction. Kew’s 132 hectares of landscaped gardens, and Kew’s country estate, Wakehurst, attract over 1.5 million visits every year. Kew was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003 and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2009. Wakehurst is home to Kew's Millennium Seed Bank, the largest wild plant seed bank in the world. Kew receives approximately just under half of its funding from Government through the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and research councils. Further funding needed to support Kew’s vital work comes from donors, membership and commercial activity including ticket sales.