12 December 2019
5 ways to kick-start your 2020
Blow away the cobwebs and get the new year off to a flying start.
New year, new you? Kick-start your new year and reap the benefits of the great outdoors in 2020.
Get some exercise
Work off the mince pies with a brisk walk through the Gardens.
Take a brisk stroll through the Arboretum, our vast garden of over 14,000 trees. Some trees are as old as the Gardens themselves and many cannot be found anywhere else in Britain.
Don't miss our mighty redwoods, which are champions of the tree world. At 40 metres tall, our tallest tree in the Gardens is a coastal redwood. One of the reasons redwoods live so long is due to a substance in their barks called tannin, which increases the tree's resistance to pests and diseases and gives the bark a striking red tone.
Stop by our glasshouses to see threatened plant species from across the globe. Head to the Temperate House to meet endangered species of cycad, such as the Encephalartos woodii which is the only specimen to ever have been found in the wild.
Plan your year ahead
From stunning festivals to brand new exhibitions, there's plenty to see and do at Kew in the new year.
Immerse yourself in the tropics this winter with our orchid festival, which is celebrating the magnificent biodiversity of Indonesia, the land of 17,000 islands.
Over 5,000 species of orchids can be found in Indonesia, alongside the staggering wildlife found nowhere else on earth.
Join us for Gruffalo Adventures during the Easter half term. There will be fun for the whole family as you follow footprints, marks and feathers and figure out clues at stops along the trail.
Learn something new
Walk off the Christmas pudding and find out about our Gardens at the same time.
Our Introduction to the Gardens tour runs daily, where you can find out about all the amazing plants in our living collection.
Discover the gorgeous colours and fragrances of our winter plants and hear their interesting stories from our expert guides on our seasonal highlights walking tour.
Feeling creative? Learn a new skill on one of our short courses and get a healthy dose of fresh air at the same time.
Soak up some art
Visit our galleries to lose yourself in beautiful botanical art.
Don't miss our Modern Masterpieces exhibition, which showcases a diverse range of work from across the world. Admire the exquisite details of endangered plants and newly discovered species.
Head to the Marianne North Gallery to travel the world through paintings. than 800 vivid paintings cover the walls of this stunning gallery.
Explore a new landscape
Discover our secret botanic garden in the heart of Sussex.
From enchanting meadows, to secluded conifer groves and stunning valleys, get lost in Wakehurst's wilderness and recharge after the festive season.
Winter highlights include our serene winter garden, and beautiful Westwood Valley which is home to Wakehurst’s Asian collection of trees and shrubs and has stunning views of the landscape.
Take a break from the cold at the Millennium Seed Bank, where you can learn more about our mission to conserve the world’s plant species, spy on scientists hard at work, and take a look at our specially-curated exhibition about the state of the world’s plants.
Take some time to slow down and enjoy the peace of our woodlands. Practice mindfulness and learn how to put stress aside at our nature wellbeing and mindfulness workshop.
