May at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst

Kew Gardens

Henry Moore: Monumental Nature | opens 9 May

From 9 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.

 

Monumental Botanical Art | Shirley Sherwood Gallery | 9 May 20206 - 31 January 2027

Alongside Henry Moore: Monumental Nature, visitors will be able to enjoy a new exhibition of botanical artworks, Monumental Botanical Art in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery. This exhibition, showcasing the best of international botanical art, focuses on monumental depictions of plants, from giant waterlilies to the magnified details of spectacular trees, altering scale and perspective to encourage visitors to see elements of the natural world in new ways. Works will also be on display from Phansakdi Chakkaphak, winner of the 2026 Shirley Sherwood Award for Botanical Art. 

 

Tai chi at Kew | Block 2 will run from 15 May – 19 June | 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.  

 

Sound baths in nature | 13 and 26 May | 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. Therapeutic sound has been proven to offer a wide range of health benefits, helping to boost your immune system by making you feel more grounded, balanced, and connected. 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.

 

Temperate House Yoga | 9 May | 7pm

Set within the iconic Temperate House, our sunrise and sunset yoga sessions offer a rare opportunity to practise wellbeing and self-care in one of London’s most extraordinary settings. Enjoy one of the most unique yoga experiences in London with an incredible vinyasa flow session taking place amongst 10,000 rare and endangered plants, while live acoustic music creates a calming, immersive atmosphere. Each session concludes with a deeply restorative shavasana, allowing you to fully absorb the tranquillity of the space.

 

The Food Village | 14 May – 27 September | a pop-up by Temperate House

 

Explore the flavours of summer at this year’s Food Village.
From British beef burgers to flame-grilled marinated chicken, all the BBQ favourites are covered. Enjoy crispy tostadas, chicken and fish tacos, and a vibrant selection of Mexican dishes. There’s even more choice with pizza offerings - whether it’s a classic mozzarella and pepperoni or something more adventurous like burrata with garlic pesto, spicy salami, piperade, and cashew ricotta.
For refreshments, there’s a range of alcoholic options, including frozen margaritas, palomas, and the Garden Brush - both featuring tequila and lime. For those seeking non-alcoholic alternatives, refreshing options include lychee soda with syrup, lemon, mint, and soda, or a P&G Spritz made with thyme-infused passionfruit syrup, lime, and ginger ale.

 

Forest Bathing | 9, 16 & 23 May | 10:30am | Meet outside Victoria Plaza 15 minutes before

Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is a popular Japanese wellbeing practice of relaxing under the canopy of trees. Escape the hustle and bustle of London and join our expert guides from the Forest Bathing Institute on a guided sensory walk designed to boost your health and wellbeing. As you move through Kew Gardens’ peaceful arboretum, you’ll feel everyday stress slip away as you breathe deeply and take in the calm and quiet of nature. 

 

Ikebana Taster Workshop | 7 May | 11am – 12pm | Cambridge Cottage (via Kew Green)

Perfect for beginners, this workshop offers a gentle introduction to the Japanese art of flower arranging. Dating back to the sixth century, Ikebana emphasises seasonality, minimalism and the thoughtful placement of stems in harmony with nature. Guided by an experienced teacher, Nono, you will learn the key principles and techniques before creating your own arrangement.

We will provide beautiful seasonal branches, stems and flowers, including some cuttings from Kew’s own living collections. Participants are encouraged to explore their creativity while learning the core principles of Ikebana.

 

Beginner’s Photography Workshop | 20 May | 10:30am – 17:30pm | Cambridge Cottage (via Kew Green)

Learn how to capture stunning images and unleash your creativity with an expert instructor.

Learn photography concepts, theory and practice, including composition and lighting. You'll practice your skills in a supportive and interactive environment with a focus on practical exercises photographing the incredible diversity of plants within the Gardens. Don’t miss this chance to meet fellow photography enthusiasts, exchange ideas, and expand your network.

 

Evening Botanical Amigurumi Workshop | 29 May | 18:00pm – 21:00pm | Temperate House

The biggest crochet event at Kew Gardens is back!

Join us for an evening of social crocheting among the beautiful plants of the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world. Sat among some-3000 plants within the Grade I listed Temperate House, you will crochet an event-exclusive design created by TOFT founder and designer Kerry Lord. Inspired by the plants within the glasshouse, you will be guided by the TOFT team throughout the three-hour event.

 

Horticultural Highlights - Mid Spring

If you’re planning your trip to Kew Gardens and looking for seasonal highlights to spot throughout your visit – make sure to head over to the Princess of Wales Conservatory zone. Here you will find flowers and blossom to be seen throughout. Especially, at the southern (Palm House) end of the Broad Walk Borders Daffodils and Tulips predominate but the outstanding sight is the group of older Cherries (L8), including “Kanzan Cherry” Prunus ‘Kanzan’ – ones not to miss on your strolls through the Gardens.

 

Kew Publishing Book of the Month | The Kew Book of Paper Gardens by Fideli Sundqvist

Step into a world of paper botanicals with celebrated artist Fideli Sundqvist.

Lush, evergreen and made entirely from paper, create 50 stunning projects, from delicate leaves and dreamy floral bouquets to sculptural potted plants. 

Discover the enchanting art of paper crafting with this inspiring guide endorsed by the prestigious Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a curious beginner, this book will help you to transform your home into a year-round paper garden.

 

Wakehurst

In May, the gates open once again to Coronation Meadow, a landmark meadow on the Wakehurst map, after a winter spent welcoming grazing sheep to breathe new life into the soil. Visitors can also explore South Park, an ancient parkland spanning 40 acres. May is also the last chance to capture the fleeting beauty of bluebells, carpeting Wakehurst’s woodlands, as well as the last moments of the stunningly pink Rhododendron Hatsugiri in the Iris Dell. For those travelling by public transport, Metrobus has added a brand-new Sunday service, reaching Wakehurst every day of the week, with 50% off adult tickets for those travelling by bus or train. On World Biodiversity Day, 22 May, Wakehurst will be celebrating five years of Nature Unlocked that has seen the landscape transform into a living laboratory with pioneering research projects. Visitors can contribute directly to pollinator research through the Trees for Bees citizen science trail or take part in the Wellbeing Walks over May half-term, experience Nature Connectedness research firsthand. 

 

Events

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.

 

Roots and Rhythm| 16, 23 and 30 May | Free

Designed for audience who face barriers to visiting, Roots and Rhythm workshops encourage participants to connect with Wakehurst’s wild landscape through mindful walks and joyful music-making. Each two-hour session includes a gentle walk, a creative music making session and moments of mindfulness. These sessions offer a chance for families to spend meaningful time together, connecting with each other and the natural world.

 

Twilight Nature Tours | 7 and 14 May | 5.30pm to 9.30pm | £54 for members, £65 for non-members

As the sun sets, experience the stirring of nocturnal wildlife and witness the forest’s transition from light to darkness. With our senses heightened, sounds and scents become more intense, bringing the evening to life. In this beautiful, wild landscape, you may spot kingfishers flashing by and wild badgers emerging to eat, play, and forage.

 

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: 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.

 

Coming Soon: Adventure Cinema | 12, 13 and 14 June 

Adventure Cinema is bringing the UK’s No.1 outdoor cinema experience to Wakehurst, with an unforgettable lineup of classic films, musicals, blockbusters, and family favourites - all set beneath the open sky. Simply grab your tickets, pack a picnic, bring a blanket or camping chairs, and settle in for an evening of movie magic. Premium deck chairs are also available.

 

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 | 28 May | 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 18 May | 10.30am to 1pm 

Build confidence in the garden and create friendships in this monthly hands-on gardening workshop.

 

Nature Natters | Monday 25 May | 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 26 May | 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.

 

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