What’s on this April at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst

Kew Gardens

Sounds of Blossom | until 6 April | 11am – 6pm | Across the Gardens

Awaken your senses with spectacular blooms and uplifting music, set within the serenity of London’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site. This spring, immerse yourself in the splendour of nature at Sounds of Blossom. In collaboration with the Royal College of Music for the third consecutive year, seven new compositions have been created by talented music students, inspired by the unique charm of Kew’s lush spring landscape and our world-renowned magnolia and cherry blossoms.

Octonauts Above & Beyond | Until 12 April | 10am – 4pm | Near Brentford Gate

Embark on an exciting Octonauts mission this Easter to explore, rescue, protect and save the wonders of nature!

Some honeybees have lost their home, and it’s up to the Octonauts, our young visitors to help. Through a series of finding, learning and making installations, children will search for the bees, build them a new hive, and help get them there safely.

The Singh Twins and Flora Indica | until 12 April 2026 | Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art | Included with entry

Now running in Kew’s Shirley Sherwood Gallery, two complementary exhibitions explore the complex colonial history of botanical art through both historical and contemporary lenses. In Gallery 5, Botanical Tales and Seeds of Empire by internationally acclaimed artists The Singh Twins showcases a striking new body of work inspired by Kew’s botanical archives. 

Flora Indica: Recovering the lost histories of Indian botanical art, displayed in Galleries 1–4 will be the first-ever public display of 52 rediscovered botanical illustrations by Indian artists commissioned by British botanists between 1790 and 1850.

An accompanying Indian flora walking tour runs each Sunday and Wednesday until 29 March, departing from Victoria Plaza at 11.30am. 

Tai chi at Kew | Block 1 will run from 3 April – 8 May | Mediterranean Garden (entry via Victoria Gate)
 

Boost your physical and mental wellbeing with the centuries-old Chinese martial art, Tai chi. Enjoy this moderate exercise composed of a series of flowing movements, in a beautiful outdoor setting.

During the class, learn standing meditation, joint loosening exercises, and two traditional Tai chi movement routines to strengthen your mind and body.  

Horticultural Highlights- Mid Spring

In the heart of spring, Cherry Walk comes alive with vibrant tulips in full bloom, creating a colourful seasonal display along the path. Another highlight at this time of year is the elegant Juno Irises, which begin flowering early and continue throughout April. As the holder of the National Collection, Kew Gardens showcases these remarkable plants in the Rock and Alpine Garden Collection, near the Alpine Nursery and Rock Garden - a beautiful spot to discover their unique forms and delicate colours.

Sound baths in nature | 1, 15 & 29 April | 4 – 5pm | Nash Conservatory 

Immerse yourself in the calming sounds of gongs, singing bowls and gentle percussion for a therapeutic sonic experience in one of London’s most iconic green spaces. No previous experience is needed for this expert-led session, making it the perfect opportunity to try a new way of reaching deep meditation and relaxation.

Kew Palace Reopens for the 2026 Season
until 27 September 2026

Visitors are invited to step inside one of London’s hidden gems as Kew Palace reopens for the 2026 season. Visitors can explore George III and Queen Charlotte’s intimate royal retreat with refreshed storytelling and newly displayed objects. Nestled within Kew Gardens, the smallest royal palace offers a uniquely personal glimpse into the Georgian dynasty. 

At weekends, visitors can also climb the 253 steps of the Great Pagoda to take in sweeping views across London and discover the fascinating history behind this striking 18th century structure. Visitors can also seek out Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, a quiet and charming hideaway once used by the royal family for rest and tea during garden walks. 

On selected weekends throughout 2026, the Royal Kitchens at Kew Palace will come alive as Experimental Historians from our Historic Kitchens Team investigate real recipes from the reign George III.  Dates: 15-16 May, 20-21 June, 25-26 July, 15-16 August. 

Kew Publishing Book of the Month | Kew Pocketbooks: Chinese Plants by Alex Summers 

This book uncovers the broad variety of China’s plants, from the everyday staples of rice and tea to the sacred significance of lotus and peony flowers. For millennia, plants have played an important role in Chinese culture, with rich histories and symbolic weight. Even a humble houseplant like the lucky ‘money plant’, with round leaves resembling coins, is attached to multiple legends and utilised in Feng Shui to attract prosperity and abundance.

This Kew Pocketbook showcases a selection of plants from the region, illustrated with 40 stunning illustrations from the Kew archives.

Coming Soon | Henry Moore: Monumental Nature | opens 9 May

From early May, experience the awe-inspiring scale and beauty of Henry Moore's sculptures in the stunning landscape of Kew Gardens. Henry Moore: Monumental Nature will be the largest outdoor exhibition of Moore's work ever presented, featuring over 100 pieces including 30 monumental sculptures set throughout the Gardens, alongside over 70 works on paper, models, and smaller pieces displayed in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art. Join us for this once-in-a-generation event, organised with the Henry Moore Foundation.

Wakehurst

Throughout April, the Water Gardens at Wakehurst bloom into a spectrum of vibrant hues, most notably from an outstanding rhododendron collection throughout the landscape. The Iris Dell becomes an unmissable spectacle, with a bright pink 'Hatsugiri’ creating the perfect photo backdrop. Harder to spot are the last of the Snake’s head fritillaries (Fritillaria meleagris), flowering slightly earlier this year with their delicate checkerboard pattern, lining the banks of the Water Garden and around the Millennium Seed Bank. Later in the month, visitors venturing into the Bethlehem or Horsebridge Woods will be greeted by a dazzling carpet of bluebells, offering a striking balance to the shimmering silver of the National Birch (Betula) Collection and towering giant redwoods. 

Octonauts: Above and Beyond | 28 March to 12 April | Members: £5, Non-members: £7
Over the Easter holidays, the Octonauts: Above and Beyond family trail celebrates biodiversity in the natural world, as brave explorers discover the challenges facing plant life and global ecosystems, reflecting the daring crew’s mission of explore, rescue, protect! Budding young Octonauts will join the squad to help protect plants and wildlife, with plenty of puzzles and photo opportunities along the way.

Trees for Bees trail | March to September | All day, free with entry 
Visitors can play a role in vital pollinator science by carrying out pollinator safaris on Wakehurst's trees. Grab a free guide, download the app, and follow our trail to help our scientists understand our bee population. Community groups can also sign up for Engagement Sessions to hear from our scientists and enjoy a guided tour.

Parkrun at Wakehurst | Every Saturday from 9am | Free  
Pace yourself through our scenic landscape as Parkrun is now at Wakehurst. Every Saturday morning, embark on a fun, free and friendly 5K. Participants must register with Parkrun before their first event.

Guided tours | Every day 11.30am and Tues-Fri 2pm | Free, subject to availability
Whether it’s your first time visiting or you're a regular to the gardens wanting to learn more, join a volunteer-led tour to discover seasonal areas of interest, learn about the history of the landscape and discover behind-the-scenes stories of the gardens.

Millennium Seed Bank Atrium Guided Tours | Mondays 2pm | Free, subject to availability 
Step inside the most biodiverse place on earth and enjoy a guided tour of the MSB Atrium. Trained volunteer guides will take you through the journey of a seed from collection to banking and point out areas of interest through the laboratory windows.

Dog walks at Wakehurst | Daily | Dedicated dog walking route
Enjoy Wakehurst’s wintery woodlands and captivating views with your four-legged friend in tow. Wakehurst’s dedicated dog walking route takes you through woodlands of the world, offering a dog walk with a difference. Excitable pups can burn off energy in the secure off-lead area and enjoy some downtime in Wakehurst’s dog-friendly cafes. 

Coming Soon: Wellbeing Walks | 26, 27 and 28 May | Pay what you can
As part of Wakehurst’s ‘year of connecting with nature’, join our nature connection experts on this guided walk, exploring the wonder of Wakehurst. Take time to tune in to your senses and appreciate nature’s beauty. Perfect for all, these interactive and immersive guided walks invite you to experience the power of nature and are backed by Wakehurst’s groundbreaking Nature Connectedness research.

Coming Soon | Henry Moore and more | Opens 5 June, included with entry
From summer 2026, sculpture meets the beauty of the natural world as we showcase four of Henry Moore’s iconic sculptures, alongside bold new commissions from contemporary artists, set across the gardens. Curated in partnership with the Henry Moore Institute, this remarkable exhibition will invite visitors to explore the evolving conversation between art and nature.

 Discovery and Access Events 
Events spanning gardening, art and wellbeing, designed for those who face barriers to visiting. To enquire about one of these events, please email wakehurstcommunity@kew.org.

Trees for Bees Engagement Sessions | 10, 12 and 25 April | 10am to 1pm | Free
Join us at Wakehurst to carry out a one-of-a-kind research project finding out which trees pollinators like best and how we can make our cities more pollinator friendly! You don’t need to have any prior experience or be a scientist. We will tell you everything you need to know. Come along and hear from our pollination scientists about their groundbreaking research, then explore our stunning landscapes while you are guided to take part in Trees for Bees – Wakehurst’s citizen science project monitoring pollinator foraging behaviour around the gardens.

Sow and Grow: monthly gardening group | Monday 20 April | 10.30am to 1pm 
Build confidence in the garden and create friendships in this monthly hands-on gardening workshop. 

Nature Natters | Monday 27 April | 11am to 12pm and 1pm to 2pm 
Join expert volunteer guides for a wellbeing boost, supported by Mid Sussex NHS social prescribers.

Dementia friendly walks | Tuesday 28 April | 11am to 12pm
Led by our friendly and knowledgeable volunteers and guides, these one-hour walks offer time to slow down and connect with nature - taking in the gardens through sight, scent, and touch.

Coming Soon: Community Festival | 8 and 9 May | Free
A two-day festival of free workshops and activities co-designed and delivered with Community Access Scheme Members, aimed at charities, community groups and individuals who experience barriers to visiting. Ignite your creativity at Wakehurst's Community Festival celebrating Art in Nature.

Exhibitions

Bank a Seed | Daily, 10am – 5.30pm | Millennium Seed Bank Atrium | Free
Step into the Millennium Seed Bank, where the real scientists are hard at work, for an exciting interactive exhibit: Bank a Seed. Step into the shoes of a seed scientist and bank your own seed! Follow your seed on its banking journey – from drying to x-raying, before it is finally weighed, counted, and banked.

Surviving or Thriving: An exhibition on plants and us |Daily, 10am–3.30pm | Millennium Seed Bank | Included with entry
This exhibition brings Kew’s State of the World’s Plants reports to life, telling the story of why some plants are only surviving, while others are thriving. Through film, audio, models, and a futuristic garden, explore  the challenges that plants face and discover the vital role of fungi.

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ENDS