What's on this August 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. 

Tree Lore | 16 August | 7pm
Find inspiration in the enchanting world of tree lore and our surrounding plants. Using black paper as our canvas and light-coloured pencils as our tools, participants will learn to illuminate the hidden tales and vibrant imagery associated with trees.

East and South East Asian Life Drawing* | 23 August | 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.

Horticultural Highlights: Summer

Horticultural highlights on display at Kew Gardens across the month include the newly refreshed Mediterranean Garden, as well as the spectacular displays along the Great Board Walker Borders. Visitors can also escape the peak of the summer sun with sedate, shady walks around the Arboretum. 

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.

The Nash Sessions: Mela Guitar Quartet | 15 August | 6.30pm – 9pm

Enjoy an enchanting candlelight concert in the Nash Conservatory at Kew Gardens - a magical setting for a summer soirée with family and friends. The Mela Guitar Quartet is a renowned guitar quartet based in London. The quartet takes its name from the Sanskrit word for ‘Festival’ and comprises four talented guitarists who graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy of Music.

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 | Tuesdays- Sundays throughout August |  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 | Wednesdays – Sundays throughout August | 11am – 2.30pm (11am only performances Wednesdays and Sundays)

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 | Tuesdays- Sundays at 10.30am (additional matinee performances at 2pm Fridays and Saturdays)

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. 

Field to fragrance: perfume discovery course | 20 & 21 August | 10.30am – 4.30pm

Experience fragrance facets and families through an exploration of rich raw ingredients, perfumery essences and niche perfumery and immerse yourself in this rare opportunity to go behind the scenes and observe how a perfumer really works. This exclusive workshop, curated and designed by Suki Swift, is a fun and interactive introduction to perfumery.

Kew Publishing Book of the Month | Kew Gardener's Guide to Growing Alpines by Matthew Jeffery

In this handy alpine-growing guide, Kew Gardens' alpines expert shares tips and advice on how to grow and maintain these unique plants, including 12 practical projects to try at home. Packed with information and inspiration, this book teaches you everything you need to know about 50 specimens of alpines, from ideal humidity, light and temperature, to maintenance instructions so that your plants can thrive. It includes 12 easy-to-follow projects for you to try at home, so you can grow a vibrant array of alpine plants.

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.