Prices, planning and practical information

Booking your visit

First you'll need to decide whether you want an assisted or self-led visit.

If you choose an assisted visit, an experienced Wakehurst teacher will be allocated to plan your visit with you. You can browse our sessions here.

We ask all educational groups to book their day in advance, whether visiting independently or taking part in a session led by a Wakehurst teacher.

Book now

Visiting during coronavirus

We’re excited to welcome you back to Wakehurst. To keep everyone safe, we've introduced enhanced measures to ensure the wellbeing of pupils and staff.

We are temporarily changing our approach to education bookings during these difficult times.

We are accepting provisional bookings and you won't need to commit and pay for your visit until three weeks before your visit date.

If an education session you have booked isn't able to be delivered due to coronavirus, we will provide you with as much notice as possible.

We will offer you a self-led visit, or you can postpone or cancel your booking and we will refund any booking fee paid.

Please contact us for further details.

Prices

Foundation

Half day visit (20 students per group): £150

Primary

Half day visit (30 students per group): £150
Full day visit (30 students per group): £200

Secondary

Half day visit (20-30 students per group): £150
Full day visit (20-30 students per group): £200

Self-led visit

Free entry for students in full time education made in advance (7 days notice required).
This also applies to groups with an Educational Group National Trust card.

Terms and Conditions (PDF)

Health and safety

Supervising your group

Unassisted visit

We require a minimum supervision ratio of 1 adult to 10 pupils. We recommend pupils are accompanied by adults in the following ratios:

SENs - 1:1
Reception - 1:2
Key Stage 1 - 1:5
Key Stage 2 - 1:8
Key Stage 3 - 1:10
Key Stage 4 - 1:10
Key Stage 5 - 1.10

Assisted visits

We require a minimum supervision ratio of 1 adult to 10 pupils.We recommend pupils are accompanied by adults in the following ratios:

SENs - 1:1
Foundation Stage - 1:2
Key Stage 1 - 1:5
Key Stage 2 - 1:8
Key Stage 3 - 1:10
Key Stage 4 - 1:10

Risk assessment

Relevant risk assessments are provided during the planning stages of assisted visits.

Planning your visit

Preliminary teacher visit

Once you've confirmed your assisted visit, we advise you to visit Wakehurst in advance to plan the day.

We provide free entry for teachers coming on planning visits. If you're unable to come for a planning visit, planning can be done by phone/email.

Recommended timings

Arrival can be any time after 10am. Departure times are no later than 3pm unless agreed otherwise (they may be determined by the distance to be travelled back to school).

Briefing your pupils before your visit

Take care around:

lake and ponds
moving vehicles
poisonous, thorny and spiky plants

Follow the garden rules and...

don't climb trees
don't pick or eat any plants
keep out of areas marked no entry
no ball games

What to bring

We have a cloakroom facility where pupils can drop off their bags and lunches at the start of the day.

a bag to carry lunch
waterproofs
comfortable shoes
water bottle
sun protection
layered clothing

Preparing your adults

Make sure all accompanying adults understand the importance of supervising their group and what to do in an emergency.

itinerary for sessions, lunch and leaving time
mobile phone numbers for all adults in your group
emergency number: 01444 894100 (for emergencies, lost children and First Aid)

On the day

Travelling to Wakehurst

If travelling by coach, enter and drop off in the main car park.

Check our getting here advice for the closest train station and directions.

What to do when you arrive

You'll be met by a member of the Wakehurst teaching team, who will lead you through the rest of the day.

If you're running late

If you're unexpectedly delayed on the day, please phone us as soon as possible on 01444894055 or email schoolswp@kew.org with your revised time of arrival.

It's important that you are on site to start the education sessions on time.

Lunch

Wakehurst volunteers will take you to your lunchtime location. Lunch is usually eaten outside, but on wet days you can eat lunch in the Mansion or the Field study centre. Waterproof mats are provided for students if lunch is eaten outside.

Toilets

There are toilets located at the schools entrance and near to the Wakehurst Mansion, Millennium Seed Bank and Field Study Centre. When working with soil, leaf litter and pond water, it is important to remember to cover cuts and to wash hands.