Everything you need to know for Glow Wild 2023
For entry times, ticket information including how to book, prices, parking, access and contact information.
Dates and entry times
Glow Wild runs from Thursday 23 November 2023 to Monday 1 January 2024, over 31 non-consecutive nights.
- Thursday 23 November – Sunday 26 November
- Thursday 30 November – Sunday 3 December
- Wednesday 6 December - Sunday 10 December
- Tuesday 12 December - Sunday 23 December
- Wednesday 27 December – Monday 1 January 2024
Time slots for entry are every 20 minutes, starting from 4.30pm with the final slot at 8pm.
The 8pm slot on Fridays throughout Glow Wild (24 November, 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 December) is reserved for adults only. Do note though that you could still encounter children on the trail from earlier timeslots.
Please arrive at the Visitor Centre promptly for your chosen start time.
The gardens will close at 10pm on all Glow Wild evenings.
Ticket information
How to book
Tickets are now on sale.
Advance booking is essential.
Not yet a member? Join now to get exclusive updates and discounts on our events.
All visitors must have their own valid ticket which must be produced to gain entry to the event. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Please be aware that we do not authorise or have any control over the sale of tickets via third-party websites.
Early-bird prices
Book before 14 February to save 10%
Wakehurst or Kew member - Adult: £14
Wakehurst or Kew member - Family (2 adults & 2 children): £46
Adult: £17
Children (4 - 16): £11
Family (2 adults & 2 children): £53
Infants (under 4) and carers: Free
On site car parking: Free
Pre-bookable shuttle bus: £3.05/£6.10 for a child/adult return
Pre-bookable lantern making kit: £4.95
Your tickets
After purchasing your tickets online, you will receive a confirmation email from See Tickets with your entry ticket(s) attached.
Contactless ticket scanning will take place on arrival. There is no need to print this attachment but please have it open on your mobile phone or tablet when you arrive. Please pre-download your tickets or take a photo as signal onsite is limited.
All tickets for your party will be in the same attachment, so all members of your party must enter at the same time. Do not attempt to duplicate any of these tickets as second and subsequent scans will fail.
Please note your event ticket does not include day visitor entry to the gardens.
Can’t find your tickets?
You can get them resent. Remember to check your Junk/Spam inbox.
If you have a query relating to your ticket, please contact See Tickets Customer Service, quoting your booking reference number.
Please note ticket enquiries cannot be dealt with by Wakehurst.
Cancellation, exchanges, and refunds
Please be sure that you have chosen the right date and time slot at the time of making your booking, as Wakehurst and See Tickets are not able to offer exchanges or refunds once tickets have been purchased. We are also not able to offer refunds/duplicates on unwanted/lost tickets.
Please note Glow Wild is an outdoor event with no cover. Inevitably bad weather can affect any open-air event. If we need to cancel the event as it is unsafe to proceed, visitors will be offered an alternative date, if available, or a full refund (minus the transaction fee).
No refunds will be offered simply if the weather is inclement. Any decision to cancel the event will be communicated by 2pm on the day of an event.
Ticket Refund Protection Insurance is available at the point of purchase though a third party hosted by our ticketing partner SEE Tickets. Please see the full Terms and Conditions. If you are concerned about not being able to attend due to illness of yourself or a member of your party (COVID-19 or otherwise), you may wish to consider this option.
Visiting Wakehurst during the day
Your event ticket does not include day visitor entry to the gardens.
Daytime visitors will need to return to the Visitor Centre when the gardens close at 3pm (last entry 2pm).
If you have a ticket for Glow Wild the same evening, you must exit the gardens at 3pm and re-enter at your pre-booked time.
At the event
What to bring and wear
The event is outdoors and there are no covered areas on the trail, so ensure you have sufficient warm and waterproof clothing. Appropriate outdoor footwear is also essential.
In some areas the lighting will be low level. This is part of the experience, please do not bring bright torches.
Food and drink
Hot chocolate, sweet treats, gourmet marshmallows and grab-and-go family meals will be available from our Glow Wild chalets under the Christmas tree.
Our onsite restaurants will be open late and serve a range of hot dishes.
Please note all payments are by card only.
Please inform the catering staff of any allergies. There will be a variety of food available to meet a range of dietary requirements.
This year, we will be using returnable cups. Please follow onsite signage and use the drop-off points to help save the planet, one cup at a time.
Shopping
You will exit through the Visitor Centre which is open until 9.45pm.
Payments can be made by card only.
Safety
For safety reasons, no naked flames (e.g. candles, night lights, flares, and lanterns) are allowed.
Photography
As per our ticket terms and conditions, we would like to remind you that as a ticket holder you are consenting to photography and filming by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew that may be used for promotional purposes.
If you would prefer to not be on camera, please speak to a member of staff during your visit.
Thinking of proposing at Glow Wild?
If you’re planning a magical Glow Wild moment to pop the question, please do get in touch with the team to see how we can help make it a night to remember. Whether you need a quiet corner on the trail, champagne on ice or someone to help capture the occasion, email the team at glowwild@kew.org.
After the event
Please leave quietly at the end of the event out of consideration for our neighbours.
Place all litter in the bins provided.
Access
The route
The trail is just over one mile long and takes approximately an hour to walk round. It is fully accessible and can be viewed from hard standing and/or flat gravel paths, which are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Please be aware that the landscape is undulating so there are some slopes and not all paths are concrete or even.
Wheelchairs, mobility scooters and buggies
Wheelchairs are available to borrow on a first come, first served basis. Two mobility scooters are available per evening and must be booked in advance by calling 01444 894067.
Children's scooters are not permitted on the trail.
Dogs
Registered disability assistance dogs are allowed, other dogs are not allowed.
Quiet sessions
There will be a limited number of quiet session tickets which are suitable for visitors with hidden disabilities, such as autism, to make for a more comfortable visit whilst still benefiting from the sensory elements of Glow Wild.
Dates and time
Every night, starting at 4.15pm, then every 20 minutes between 4.30pm and 8pm.
We ask that other visitors respect the quiet sessions and do not book during these limited time slots.
Relaxed Sessions
Our gentle sessions are adapted for children with special educational needs and disabilities, like Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or sensory processing needs.
Tickets are limited to 50 visitors, ensuring easy access and a supportive, understanding and welcoming atmosphere for children and their parents or carers.
Dates and time
4.15pm on Thursday 7 December, Friday 15 December, Tuesday 19 December and Friday 22 December 2023.
We ask that other visitors respect the relaxed sessions and do not book during these limited time slots.
Toilets
There are accessible toilets and baby changing facilities available at the start and throughout the trail. These are at the Schools Entrance, Visitor Centre, and Stables Kitchen.
How to get here
Our address is Selsfield Road, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex, RH17 6TN
By car/coach: we are on the B2028, south of Turners Hill and north of Ardingly.
Directions from London:
- take the M25 then M23, leave at Junction 10, turn left onto the A264
- on the A264 go straight over first two roundabouts, turn right at next roundabout, onto the B2028
- Wakehurst is on the right after Turners Hill
On approaching Wakehurst please follow signage rather than relying on your Sat Nav, as it will bring you to the North Drive entrance which is the wrong one for this event.
By train: our closest station is Haywards Heath (6 miles away). Turn right out of the station for the Perrymount Road bus stop. For train times.
By bus:
- There will be a shuttle bus between Haywards Heath station and Wakehurst for Glow Wild visitors.
- Public bus route 272 also stops outside Wakehurst, serving Crawley, Haywards Heath, and Burgess Hill (Monday to Saturday only).
Contact details
For all ticket related enquiries contact See Tickets Customer Service
For event or access information please contact glowwild@kew.org or call 01444 894067