- Wakehurst Mansion reopens, with two new exhibitions and a refurbished library
- Launch of summer art programme Seedscapes, with bespoke installations from six international artists
- Children can join Nature Heroes: Globe Trotter trail and adventure through landscapes of the world
- Summer showstoppers include Coronation Meadow, South Park and a six-acre American Prairie
- Join a meadow-inspired workshop to connect with the summer season
Ticket information
Opening times: 10am to 6pm (last entry 5.30pm)
Tickets: Wakehurst and Kew members: Free / Adult £18.50 / Young person: £9.25 / Children 16 & under: Free / National Trust members: Free (parking charges apply) / £1 concession ticket available
Summer highlights at Wakehurst
This summer, Wakehurst is bursting with natural beauty, offering visitors a range of breathtaking landscapes to explore. The Water Gardens provide a serene escape, teeming with lush greenery and rich biodiversity, where ferns and Gunnera create a vibrant display around Black Pond, and trickling streams offer a tranquil retreat. Wakehurst meadows reach their seasonal peak, with Coronation Meadow and Bloomers Valley transforming into wildflower wonderlands filled with colour and the hum of pollinators. Meanwhile, the American Prairie boasts towering giants, such as big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), reaching up to eight feet tall, amongst the 50 unique species to discover, also including rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium), Zizia, and Camassia. The Walled Garden is Wakehurst’s most exquisite and intimate space where towering colours and sunny paths provide respite and horticultural inspiration.
For those seeking shaded walks and hidden gems, Wakehurst’s woodlands offer dappled light, and the picturesque Westwood Lake nestled at the bottom of the valley is ideal for adventurous explorers. The historic Loder Valley Nature Reserve has recently reopened, inviting visitors to wander through ancient woodlands and encounter wildlife at specially designed hides along the water’s edge. For those seeking meadows, Hanging Meadow is an ancient grassland that shimmers with wonderful wildflowers and rich insect life.
Nestled around the corner from the Mansion, the Children’s & Community Garden has been newly expanded and now hosts new vegetable plots, accessed by wide buggy-friendly pathways, as well as the family-favourite Mud Kitchen. The Garden is a haven for wildlife, with a bug bed planted to attract critters such as caterpillars, a woodery providing a new habitat, and an experimental bee bank, providing a home for ground-nesting bees.
The Wakehurst Mansion doors have reopened, inviting visitors to explore a place where history, science, and nature intertwine. Two new immersive exhibition spaces invite visitors to delve in to the stories that shape Wakehurst. Discover the humble beginnings of the Millennium Seed Bank and our ongoing scientific mission to protect nature in the Mansion’s Chapel or visit the Billiard Room to uncover the history of the Wakehurst site and importance of our living collections and our relationship with the National Trust. The newly restored library offers a lounge space for visitors to pause and soak in the Mansion’s unique atmosphere whilst exploring the botanic gardens.
This month at the Plant Centre: The Walled Gardens and Wildlife collections will provide shoppers with a bit of biodiversity for their own backyard. Those looking for a burst of colour can pick up blue Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus) and pink Salvia,
Events
Seedscapes | Until 14 September | All day, free with entry
An exhibition of art, sculpture, and sound set throughout the gardens, inspired by the science of seeds, and the groundbreaking research carried out daily at the Millennium Seed Bank, now celebrating its 25th anniversary. Discover the work of six international artists, whose installations highlight the urgency and beauty of global seed conservation. Through sculpture, light, colour and sound, each artwork aims to inspire, engage and reconnect visitors with the role of seeds in culture, science and conservation.
Wanderwild | 17, 18 and 19 July | Entry from 5.30pm | Member discounts available
Wakehurst’s landscape comes alive with the sound of music, the mesmerising sight of aerial performers and dancers, and the scent of mouth-watering street food. Accompanied by the setting sun, this is an evening not to miss, forming the perfect date night or friends get-together.
Nature Heroes: Globe Trotter | 21 July to 5 September | All day | Mission and badge: £4
Join us in celebrating 25 years of Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank, with nearly 2.5 billion seeds from 40,000 wild plant species safely stored. Set off on your own Nature Heroes mission across the globe, from Asia to Australia, South America to the Caribbean and beyond – you’ll be walking the world, all without leaving the gardens! Grab your map and discover amazing plants from around the world.
Trees for Bees trail | Until 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 to an Engagement Session to hear from our scientists and enjoy a guided tour.
Bank a Seed in the Millennium Seed Bank | From 21 July | All day, free with entry
Experience the journey of a seed first-hand with a band-new interactive installation in the Millennium Seed Bank Atrium. Children can step into the shoes of scientists who are working to bank the world’s wild seeds, sparking curiosity and discovery.
Summer evening meadow walk | Wednesday 16 July | 6.30pm to 8.30pm | Wakehurst and Kew members £30, Non-members £35
Discover the beauty of Wakehurst’s meadows on a guided walk through some of its most iconic landscapes, including Bloomers Valley, Hanging Meadow and the Coronation Meadow. This scenic two-mile route offers the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in vibrant wildflower displays while learning from our expert guide and Head of landscape and horticulture, Iain. For a more accessible experience, join us on 16 July for a specially adapted workshop with a shorter route near the Millennium Seed Bank.
Summer forest bathing | Sunday 20 July | 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm | Wakehurst and Kew members £25, Non-members £40
Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing invites you to slow down and fully immerse yourself in the calming forest environment at Wakehurst. Guided by Swedish teacher and workshop leader Helena Skoog, you’ll learn how to engage all your senses to connect deeply with your surroundings. Experience the restorative power of nature as it helps relieve tension, relax your mind, and nourish your sense of well-being.
Create a wildflower meadow | 19 July | 10am to 3.30pm | Wakehurst and Kew members £50, Non-members £60
Step into the world of wildflowers, pollinators and natural beauty with this immersive meadow-making workshop. Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast or a curious nature lover, this hands-on experience will guide you through the fascinating principles of meadow ecology and show you how to create your very own meadow from scratch.
Bat walk | every Thursday, 24 July to 28 August | 8pm to 10pm | Wakehurst and Kew members £22, Non-members £25
Choose between two immersive experiences: the woodland bat walk, which takes you down to serene Westwood Lake, or the shorter, accessible garden bat walk, centred around the peaceful Mansion Pond. The woodland walk covers approximately 4 km on a steady path, with an uphill return for those who enjoy a bit of a climb.
Guided tours | Tues to Thurs, 11.30am and 2pm | Fri – Mon, 11.30am | 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. In the year of the Millennium Seed Bank’s 25th anniversary, discover the building’s remarkable history as 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 | Every day | Standard entry applies
Bring your four-legged friend out on a dog walk with a difference. Explore shaded woodlands of the world, let energetic pups run free in the secure off-lead area and enjoy dog-friendly treats at the onsite cafes.
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.
Community Access Scheme (CAS) Events
The CAS at Wakehurst is an annual group membership for organisations that provide services directly to people who face physical, sensory, psychological, or social barriers to visiting Wakehurst independently. The below events are available exclusively for members of the CAS at Wakehurst. Throughout the seasons, there are a variety of CAS events for participants of all ages and backgrounds, providing opportunities to socialise and connect with nature.
Nature Connect | Wednesday 23 and Friday 25 July | 10.30am to 1pm or 2pm – 4.30pm
A monthly programme designed to help you feel comfortable and confident in nature. Over three months, you’ll learn simple ways to connect, play and engage with the natural world. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver or someone looking to unwind and boost wellbeing, this is the perfect opportunity to build new skills and enjoy the outdoors.
Sow and Grow: monthly gardening group | 21 July and 18 August | 10.30am to 1pm
Build confidence in the garden and create friendships in this monthly hands-on gardening workshop.
Nature Natters | 28 July and 25 August | 11am to 12pm and 1pm to 2pm
Join expert volunteer guides in an inclusive walking group, with Alliance for Better Care’s social prescribers.
Dementia walk | 29 July and 26 August | 11am to 12pm
Enjoy a relaxing walk around the beautiful gardens and connect with nature.
Exhibitions
Surviving or Thriving: An exhibition on plants and us | Daily, 10am – 3.30pm | Millennium Seed Bank |
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.
Image: Coronation Meadow, Ollie Dixon © RBG Kew
