What's on this October at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst
Release date: 27 September 2024
- New exhibition from acclaimed ceramic artist Felicity Aylieff
- Rare and Extinct in the Temperate House showcases Kew’s precious plants
- New for spooky season: Halloween at Kew begins
- Room on the Broom arrives for half-term at Kew Gardens
- Nature Heroes at Wakehurst, in collaboration with National Geographic Kids
- Spot the early signs of autumn and fungi popping up across the landscape
Kew Gardens
Expressions in Blue: Monumental Porcelain by Felicity Aylieff | opens 26 October | Entry included in admission
Acclaimed ceramic artist Felicity Aylieff brings a major solo exhibition of monumental ceramics to Kew’s Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art this autumn. Aylieff is renowned for her longstanding collaborations with porcelain production workshops and artisan craftspeople in Jingdezhen, China – known as the Porcelain Capital of the world. This exhibition will encompass a selection of new works, including incredible 5-metre-tall vases, as well as a selection of colourful Fencai enamelled vessels, hand painted with designs inspired by the botanical illustrations from the Shirley Sherwood Collection.
Rare and Extinct | opens 19 October | Entry included in admission
This autumn, step inside the Temperate House for a new exhibition exploring Kew’s unique collection of rare and threatened plants. Not usually on display to the public, these plants represent some of Kew’s most valuable species, showcased in a Room of Rarity and a Room of Extinction. The exhibition will shine a light on the efforts of Kew’s expert horticulturists to conserve the world’s most precious species and halt biodiversity loss.
Wellbeing in Nature
Kew’s popular wellbeing events return this month, supporting both physical and mental wellbeing within the inspiring surroundings of Kew Gardens’ 320-acre UNESCO World Heritage site. All tickets include entry to Kew Gardens and a 20% discount in our restaurants.
Forest bathing | 5 October | 10.30am- 12.30pm | Arboretum
Inspired by the Japanese art of Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing is a sensory woodland walk alongside an expert guide, who will lead participants as they disconnect from the stresses of everyday life. Organised in partnership with the Forest Bathing Institute.
Tai Chi | 4 October | 9am - 10am | Berberis Dell
Boost your physical and mental health with the centuries-old Chinese martial art, Tai Chi. Tai Chi is a moderate exercise comprising a series of flowing movements. During the session, learn standing meditation, joint loosening exercise and two traditional Tai Chi movement routines to strengthen your mind and body.
Temperate House Yoga | 11 & 26 October | Temperate House (times vary)
Relax and unwind with one of our monthly early-morning or early-evening yoga sessions in Kew's iconic Temperate House. Led by Kew's own yoga instructor, Anil Jangi, these sessions offer a truly unforgettable yoga experience in the spectacular setting of the world's largest Victorian glasshouse.
Halloween at Kew | 18 October - 3 November | Timed entry, pre-booking essential
New for 2024, this Halloween light trail will see Kew Gardens transformed into a spooktacular setting full of tricks and treats. Stumble across a Possessed Pumpkin Farm, wander through an illuminated Spiders Web, survive a sensational storm and discover a neon Carnivorous Tree feeding on unsuspecting skeletons. Witches, scarecrows, vampires and monsters will lurk in the shadows, and you may even stumble upon a headless horseman along the way.
Room on the Broom | 19 October - 3 November | Entry included in admission
This half term, dive into the magical world of Room on the Broom at Kew Gardens. Immerse yourself in Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved tale as you follow the kind witch on her enchanting journey across our stunning autumn landscape. Explore the winding paths of Kew as you spot familiar characters from the story. Each step of the way, engage with playful installations and enjoy family-friendly activities that bring the magic of the book to life.
Horticultural Highlights- Autumn
Horticultural highlights during October at Kew Gardens include the spectacular signs of early autumn unfolding across Kew’s arboretum, which can be enjoyed from a unique perspective with a seasonal stroll along the Treetop Walkway. Elsewhere, visitors can enjoy the final opportunity to enjoy the display in the Waterlily House before it closes for the winter.
Kew Publishing Book of the Month | The Mushroom Compendium: Explore the Kingdom of Fungi by Alice Pattullo
Unearth the scientific, cultural and fantastical properties of mushrooms with these 50 reference cards and accompanying poster. Mushrooms are a vital part of the natural world that many know relatively little about, and this stunning deck celebrates their beauty, complexity and significance, and gives an insight into this fascinating kingdom of fungi.
Wakehurst
Horticultural Highlights
At Wakehurst, autumn colour begins to transform the landscape, with hotspots such as Bethlehem Wood, Westwood Lake and the Water Gardens providing perfect photo opportunities. Nestled within Westwood Valley, the Lake offers sweeping vistas as vibrant autumn colour reflects off tranquil waters. Visitors exploring the landscape should also keep an eye out for fantastic fungi popping up throughout the gardens.
Events
Nature Heroes: Seed Seeker | 19 Oct to 3 Nov | All day | £3 per child
Launching an exciting collaboration with National Geographic Kids magazine, the next Nature Heroes mission invites families to become seed scientists as they learn how to bank a mystery seed! Children will learn more about the fascinating Millennium Seed Bank, as they follow the trail through autumnal woodlands and earn a Seed Seeker badge.
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.
COMING SOON: Glow Wild | Selected evenings: 28 November to 1 January | 4.15pm to 10pm | Various flexible ticket options available
Book now for Sussex’s award-winning lantern trail, with a new route, exclusive installations, and a magical Christmas Eve date! Discover an immersive, interactive trail of hand-crafted lantern displays and bespoke light installations by leading artists, inspired by the hidden world of trees. Don’t miss the iconic Christmas tree, mesmerising giant flying owl, and giant wood dragon, drenched in flickering fire.
Wakehurst Workshops
Forest Bathing | 4 October | 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm
Reconnect with nature and unwind from the stresses of everyday life at our forest bathing workshop. Based on the Japanese art of Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing allows you to slow down as you immerse yourself in the forest environment. Swedish teacher and workshop leader Helena Skoog will show you how to use all your senses to connect with your surroundings, drawing on the power of nature to relieve tension, relax and nourish your sense of wellbeing.
Autumn foraging course | 12 October | 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm
Run by professional forager Megan Howlett, learn all about the seasonal delights that autumn brings from juicy berries to mystical fungi with an expert forager and how to identify and prepare them yourself at home. After exploring the gardens, sit down and enjoy a cosy cup of wild tea from the plants and berries you have found on the walk.
Exhibitions
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
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 100,000 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.