After a year of time spent inside, we’re due a long, hot summer of outdoor activities and there are few better than a day spent at London’s Kew Royal Botanic Gardens.
Make plans now for the year of new festivals to celebrate British biodiversity and botanical treasures of Japan, like:
The Secret world of plants in May. Kew Gardens will put on a large-scale, immersive ‘plantscapes’ representing diverse UK habitats, including coastal cliffs, moorland, and meadows, will celebrate the biodiversity on our doorsteps. A programme of exciting artistic activities designed to capture the imagination will offer visitors a fresh perspective on the ‘wall of green’ that surrounds them, helping them to appreciate and protect the botanical gems to be found in their day-to-day environment.
Saturday 1 May – Sunday 19 September
As well as a display of the brightest colours on Earth! Inspired by the natural world, you’ll explore the origins of sight and colour, natural phenomena such as bioluminescence, and techniques used by artists to replicate the brightest and most intense hues found in nature, the exhibition will be a treat for the eyes and give visitors a chance to interact with cutting-edge technology and catch a glimpse of its future potential in the art world and beyond.
Saturday 1 May – Sunday 12 September
October will welcome-in the fiery colours of Japan. In a brand-new festival in the Temperate House. The festival will explore Japan through its fascinating horticultural traditions and wider practices, emphasising the importance of the natural world and the concepts of beauty and harmony – cornerstones of Japanese culture. Striking art installations, highlighted Japanese trees boasting vivid autumn colours, and an impressive Bonsai collection will make this a festival worth exploring.
Saturday 2 October – Sunday 31 October
As Christmas comes closer in November and December, head to Kew for the annual Christmas at Kew, which will return as the UNESCO World Heritage landscape is adorned with one million twinkling lights, lasers and festivities around every bend for an after-dark extravaganza.
Meanwhile, Wakehurst will be animated by hundreds of glowing lanterns, fire displays and illuminated sculptures at the spellbinding Glow Wild lantern festival.
Christmas at Kew and Glow Wild at Wakehurst will run from November
For tickets and to discover more, go to the Kew RBG website.