Enjoy July at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst

Marc Quinn: Light into Life | until 29 September | Entry included in admission

Now open at Kew Gardens is a major new exhibition from contemporary artist Marc Quinn. Exploring the relationship between people and plants, Light into Life encompasses monumental sculptures across the Gardens, alongside a dedicated presentation of works in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art. Offering moments of thoughtful reflection and interaction across Kew, Light into Life examines our complex relationship with the natural world and features a selection of brand-new artworks, unveiled for the first time this summer.

After Hours Art Classes with 2B or Not 2B Collective | Various sessions from June – August | Suitable for adults 18 and over | Concessions available

Join 2B Or Not 2B Collective for a bespoke series of art classes this summer inspired by nature and diverse bodies. Taking place in Kew’s spectacular Temperate House, these workshops offer the opportunity to learn key skills and techniques in life drawing and fashion illustration, immersed in botanical surroundings and accompanied by curated music. 

Join 2B Or Not 2B Collective for a bespoke series of art classes this summer inspired by nature and diverse bodies. Taking place in Kew’s spectacular Temperate House, these workshops offer the opportunity to learn key skills and techniques in life drawing and fashion illustration, immersed in botanical surroundings and accompanied by curated music. 

Voguing with dancers | 4 July | 7pm

Learn skills to capture the moving body whilst drawing voguing dancers. Live dancers will perform new and old ways of voguing to music for this unique opportunity to capture explosive movements and experience the power of creativity.

Celebrating the majestic body* | 18 July | 7pm
Through this immersive drawing workshop focusing on observation and technique, discern body shapes in many forms. Learn techniques to emphasize drawing elements and encourage focused observation, before being able to apply your newfound skills drawing a selection of models posing in empowering stances . 

* Please note that life models will take part in the sessions, and they will pose partially naked.

East and South East Asian Life Drawing* | 19 July | 7pm
Learn life drawing skills with ESEA (East and South East Asian Life Drawing) inclasses that will take inspiration from seasonal plants. All backgrounds and skill levels are welcomed.
* Please note that life models will take part in the sessions, and they will pose partially naked.

Floral Fashion Life Drawing | 25 July | 7pm
Pulling out clothes from designers who were inspired by flowers in line with Kew Gardens, the focus of this session will be on texture, prints, silhouettes, and colours.           

Fashion & Nature | 26 July | 7pm
A multi-dimensional workshop integrating art, nature, fashion, and sustainability led by tutor Isher Dhiman, who has previously collaborated with London Fashion Week and London Craft Week.

Horticultural Highlights: Summer

Horticultural highlights on display at Kew Gardens across the month include the Great Broad Walk Borders, extended in 2023 to incorporate new, drought tolerant planting. Both the Evolution and Rose Gardens are now in full bloom, with colourful displays looking better than ever. Visitors can also marvel at the incredible displays in the Waterlily House, featuring Victoria boliviana, recognised in 2022 as the largest waterlily in the world.

New Agave Bar

Nestled in the heart of Kew Gardens, the Agave Bar offers a unique blend of artisan tequila and gourmet tacos inspired by the Gardens' botanical diversity. Enjoy frozen margaritas and fresh cucumber mocktails crafted with fresh garden ingredients, complemented by a selection of delicious tacos. Whether you're relaxing after a walk through the Gardens or seeking a refreshing treat, the Agave Bar behind the Temperate House is your destination for Mexican-inspired indulgence.

New Trails to enjoy at Kew Gardens

New for summer at Kew Gardens are a series of exciting, themed walking trails, drawing inspiration from different highlights of Kew’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. From art and architecture to remarkable trees, these six bespoke trails take in highlights across the Gardens, from remarkable glasshouses to hidden horticultural gems. Pick up a map on arrival or download your chosen trail in advance of your visit.

Kew the Music 2024

A firm fixture in the outdoor concerts calendar, Kew the Music returns for 2024 with an array of exciting new acts performing in Kew’s spectacular landscape. Pre-booking is essential.

8 July | An Evening with Monty Don 

In a special spoken word show, BBC Gardeners’ World presenter and writer Monty Don will share his passion for gardens and the unique role they play in human inspiration and wellbeing. 

9 July | Mika supported by Sammy Rae & The Friends and Essence Martins | Limited availability 

Mika has crafted a world of gritty romance amidst the joy and playfulness of technicoloured alternative pop. With his defining single ‘Grace Kelly’ in 2007, he sold over 3 million copies worldwide and was No.1 in the UK for 5 weeks. 

10 July | Ronan Keating supported by Lucy Spraggan and Tom Speight

Ronan Keating shot to fame in the early 90’s with Boyzone, who in their first five years became one of the biggest pop bands ever.  In August of 2000, Ronan released his debut, self-titled album. It shot straight to No.1 in the UK Album Charts.

11 July | Passenger supported by Gabrielle Aplin and Newton Faulkner 

Passenger is a multi-award winning, platinum-selling singer-songwriter. Whilst still known for his busking, he made the journey from street corners to stadiums with 'Let Her Go', which reached No.1 in 19 countries.

12 July | JLS supported by Tinchy Strider

The Friday headliner is one of Britain’s most beloved boybands – JLS. They released their debut album in 2009 which has since sold over 1 million copies in the UK alone. They have also won two BRIT awards and five MOBO awards. 

13 July | Beverley Knight supported by Asa and Marisha Wallace

Beverley Knight is no stranger to the spotlight and is a performer who can do it all – both a star of the West End stage and an astounding singer with a prolific music career.  Beverley was awarded an MBE in 2007 and has won three MOBO Awards.

14 July | An evening with Richard Ashcroft supported by Jamie Webster and Callum Beattie

Richard Ashcroft is a two-time Ivor Novello winner (Songwriter of the Year in 1998 and Outstanding Contribution to British Music in 2019) who has released five Top 5 solo albums, including the #1 debut 'Alone With Everybody'. 

Theatre on Kew 

This summer, choose from two daytime productions – Kenneth Grahame’s classic The Wind in the Willows and magical The Dream Fairies - Adventure to Bubble Land – and a mischievous theatre under the stars production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, presented by the Australian Shakespeare Company. Tickets include entry to Kew Gardens. 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31 July at 7.30pm

Set beneath heritage trees within a picture-perfect Kew Gardens, this is Midsummer Night’s Dream in uniquely botanical surroundings – as twilight falls, the stage is set for Shakespeare under the stars. 

The Wind in the Willows | 20, 25, 26, 27 July at 11am and 2.30pm | 21, 24, 28, 31 July at 11am

The Wind in the Willows is Kenneth Grahame’s classic story of life on the riverbank. This critically acclaimed, outdoor theatre production set against the magical backdrop of our stunning Lake, is packed with much-loved colourful characters, music, song and laughter.

The Dream Fairies- Adventure to Bubble Land | 19, 20, 26, 27 July at 10.30am and 2pm | 21, 23, 24, 25, 28, 30, 31 July at 10.30am

In an enchanting world of song and dance, the adventurous Tinkerbell meets up with the fairies from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Together, the cheeky Mustardseed, fluttery Moth, daring Cobweb and sweet Peaseblossom go on a magical quest with Tinkerbell. 

Short Courses

Why not learn a new skill and sign up for a short course at Kew? Led by a selection of experts, these one-day courses offer unique opportunities to develop fresh skills within the stunning surroundings of Kew’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Gardening for beginners | 2 July | 10.30am to 4pm | Nash Conservatory

This one-day gardening course is aimed at keen amateurs who wish to improve their knowledge of growing and maintaining plants in their garden. In just one day you'll get the basics to start preparing your own beautiful garden.

Successful Autumn and Winter Harvests | 17 July | 10.30am, Cambridge Cottage

Join Hélèna Dove, Kew’s renowned kitchen gardener, as she shares her expertise in cultivating an array of organic produce. With a special interest in heritage crops, Hélèna will empower you to transform your winter garden.

Kew Publishing Book of the Month | Marc Quinn: Light into Life

This striking book accompanies the major exhibition Light into Life by leading contemporary artist Marc Quinn. Stunning photography showcases the stainless steel and bronze sculptures around the Gardens and in the Temperate House, alongside Quinn’s new and existing paintings, drawings, sculptures and evocative frozen works in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery.

Coming Soon: Summer Cycle | 1 August | 5pm to 9pm

This summer, for one evening only, get on your bike and explore the whole of Kew Gardens. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy Kew’s most beautiful spots with friends and family as the sun begins to set. Make an evening of it and stop for a sundowner, enjoy your own picnic, drop in on our food pop-ups or enjoy a pizza at the Pavilion restaurant on route.

Notes to Editors

About Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world-famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding collections and scientific expertise in plant and fungal diversity, conservation, and sustainable development in the UK and around the globe. Kew’s scientists and partners lead the way in the fight against biodiversity loss and finding nature-based solutions to the climate crisis, aided by five key scientific priorities outlined in Kew’s Science Strategy 2021-2025. Kew Gardens is also a major international and top London visitor attraction. Kew’s 132 hectares of historic, landscaped gardens, and Wakehurst, Kew’s Wild Botanic Garden and ‘living laboratory’, attract over 2.5 million visits every year. Kew Gardens was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003 and celebrated its 260th anniversary in 2019. Wakehurst is home to the Millennium Seed Bank, the largest wild plant seed bank in the world and a safeguard against the disastrous effects of climate change and biodiversity loss. RBG Kew received approximately one third of its funding from Government through the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and research councils. Further funding needs to support RBG Kew’s vital scientific and educational work comes from donors, memberships and commercial activity including ticket sales. For tickets, please visit www.kew.org/kew-gardens/visit-kew-gardens/tickets. In the first six months since implementing a new accessibility scheme for those in receipt of Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Legacy Benefits, Kew has welcomed over 50,000 visitors with £1 tickets.

About Wakehurst

Please note that Wakehurst is referred to just as Wakehurst, not Wakehurst Place. It is not a National Trust property. 

Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex is home to the Millennium Seed Bank and over 500 acres of the world’s plants including temperate woodlands, ornamental gardens and a nature reserve. It is situated in the High Weald of Sussex, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and focuses on wild plant collections. The Millennium Seed Bank houses and protects seed from the world’s most substantial and diverse collection of threatened and useful wild plants, making it the most biodiverse place on earth. 

RBG Kew receives 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. 

In March 2021, RBG Kew launched its 10-year strategy Our Manifesto for Change 2021. The institution’s ultimate goal is step up to help to end the extinction crisis and contribute to creating a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. In the wake of a global pandemic, and with the future of the planet in peril, the strategy represents a public commitment by RBG Kew to do everything in its power to reverse the environmental devastation of biodiversity loss and climate change.  The five key priorities are 1) Delivering science-based knowledge and solutions to protect biodiversity and use natural resources sustainably 2) Inspiring people to protect the natural world 3) Training the next generation of experts: 4) Extending our reach 5) Influencing national and international opinion and policy.

On May 25 2021 RBG Kew launched its new Sustainability Strategy – committing to become Climate Positive by 2030 and marking a step-change in our urgent action to tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis.