{"id":58891,"date":"2026-01-23T15:28:55","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T14:28:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/midsussex\/?p=58891"},"modified":"2026-01-23T15:30:50","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T14:30:50","slug":"experience-winter-wonder-at-wakehurst","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/midsussex\/2026\/01\/23\/experience-winter-wonder-at-wakehurst\/","title":{"rendered":"Experience winter wonder at Wakehurst"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"58891\" class=\"elementor elementor-58891\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5548d28 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5548d28\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60960eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"60960eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Gardens open\u00a0daily\u00a010am to 4.30pm<\/strong>\u00a0<br \/><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Free entry for Wakehurst and Kew members<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<br \/><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Children 16 and under go free<\/span><\/strong><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ul><li><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Witness the Winter Garden at its peak\u00a0<\/span> <\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Experience the benefits of connecting with nature, backed by research\u00a0 <\/strong><\/li><li><strong>First signs of early spring soon to appear across the gardens <span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The change of seasons is on the horizon, and\u00a0Wakehurst, Kew\u2019s wild botanic garden in Sussex, invites visitors to\u00a0witness\u00a0the\u00a0gardens transforming from\u00a0winter to spring, experiencing the\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">restorative power of\u00a0green spaces<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0Across its sweeping landscapes, from<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0fragrant evergreen woodlands<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to the\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">vibrant ornamental <a href=\"http:\/\/tracking.kew.org\/tracking\/click?d=-w6W86IciuWXXrmHJTeBO8WhXbAwfidMhhPx1Tclwsoj47v1yZJbO5bfwCZyV9vpcJ-cOUUGfM2YarvUPmI4NUy6bT1wLIgdWN1e2f3uVSIkBIcUyOzmNABIzQh6G5Aud6u2d-KH7367CMxzuLUn4g308Q9yIDOuCQ4n5JwxJxf-8RWYy3QtGMzQ7eUzgdwPxrqVwT1ihCx4FnnR3WpBJK3LPUZkPmdWLIx-fn-7VvikWoo5bspntmpvskUMV_lU9aYPux8XYdfrGb6DXgOn7v75RFmqQYV3EvQLhMHNWYMU0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Winter Garden<\/a><\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, a seasonal stroll offers a chance to lift spirits, recharge, and reconnect with the natural world.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wakehurst\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/tracking.kew.org\/tracking\/click?d=5SYQmmL95Xjq0iXMRvQZ8rmP29mOpFKRNutbs-dLZtfhDPvjnljjVapKDXmFqZu6_6K-wyvfoLzl_NTiIfY8AFfcBIg27Qjn_2XGqJqFoem1HYC8viR06-2g9zzjFE1hwhA4WyQXUPw3q5kJ_R8Mq96yhCHD-Ko7DxVDeUmyve_9JvW_xnjzvQvT27DuTqEQR6e6EaySyFvP-Xd19RLxbDkns75-TSYBlrVuY44QZvGoKvHFtaj0PJcp7hjL9npbFvvoEMShoM6seCXJ21WNAFY1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Nature Unlocked<\/span><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0programme has transformed the landscape into a living laboratory, with the\u00a0<strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Nature Connectedness<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0research strand\u00a0investigating\u00a0how biodiversity supports both our\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">mental and physical wellbeing<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0Across all four seasons, studies with schoolchildren and adults\u00a0alike\u00a0have revealed how different habitats\u00a0and sensory experiences<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0shape our emotional responses<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to the natural world.\u00a0Research has\u00a0included wellbeing walks\u00a0in different habitats\u00a0and studies\u00a0that encourage participants to take photos of what they notice in nature. This work has since been<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0embedded into the\u00a0education\u00a0and public engagement programmes<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0at Wakehurst, allowing the teams to share their learning\u00a0more widely.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Julie Whelan, Nature Connectedness Research Lead commented:<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u201c<\/span><em><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We\u2019re really putting our connection with nature under the microscope \u2013 exploring how people react to the different colours, textures, sounds and smells in nature, and which best facilitate a deeper connection with the natural world and those positive impacts on our wellbeing. By pairing these scientific insights with Wakehurst\u2019s horticultural beauty, we are beginning to understand how biodiverse landscapes deepen our connection to nature and strengthen our commitment to protecting it for future generations.\u201d<\/span><\/em><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A winter spectacle<\/span><\/strong><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Nestled behind the Grade I listed <a href=\"http:\/\/tracking.kew.org\/tracking\/click?d=U6Yi3QrdjmxMLJEhIdgl1zbDZMMtshHrm2Go6CJWt5nK_-cvsAtKDatOSOg-VJSS93aM7gbkiMmWTq51T3u_1Oi5acVk8SP9gk_qxLk-sOjipob4INnmI116hrV-BCXtduA8MSszG2ghDGBpyEXGB1N3Fs0mgEUD0eeMqpc9tAA5Z04Vj_sekghYV6YU_lZZl0a6SVVZyHq6vqnKKKfhJHGlLp8k8d_9S9gcln0w5i_6x3QCpMMfx3Sy8J8_tObrdBcB2ubCd_Rn4C7nLGvYeKKkxkZLjl0C7EGkfAuRTQ8B0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mansion<\/a>, Wakehurst\u2019s Winter Garden provides a\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">vibrant sensory escape<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, bringing together an enchanting ensemble of texture and colour. All-weather paths weave through the ornamental design, leading visitors to something new around every corner, revealing a<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0tapestry of colour and texture<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0even in the colder months. Mature\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Himalayan silver birch trees<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(<\/span><em><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Betula utilis var.\u00a0Jacquemontianii<\/span><\/em><span data-contrast=\"auto\">) rise above a layered display of\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">bold red dogwood\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(<\/span><em><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cornus<\/span><\/em><span data-contrast=\"auto\">) and \u2018<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Karl Foerster\u2019 grasses\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(<\/span><em><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Calamagrostis<\/span><\/em><span data-contrast=\"auto\">). Alive with colour, sound and smell, this\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">accessible sanctuary in the gardens<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0forms the ideal spot to connect with your senses and nature. As the months change, so does the Winer Garden\u2019s ground display, as delicate white\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">snowdrops\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">make way for pastel-coloured\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">cyclamen<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0across the beds. The wider landscape heralds the start of early spring, with the first bulbs\u00a0emerging, and buds soon bursting to put on a colourful display of\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">magnolia and rhododendron<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">New year, new views<\/span><\/strong><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As trees from around the world drop their leaves, Wakehurst\u2019s extraordinary winter character appears, with views revealing the Sussex High Weald and beyond.\u00a0Across the Wakehurst landscape,\u00a0thoughtfully positioned\u00a0benches offer<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0picture-perfect viewpoints to take in all 535 acres<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. From nestled corners in the <a href=\"http:\/\/tracking.kew.org\/tracking\/click?d=OsmlZJ4K1iILIGqeLUI6ymSkQv1xwxpXlb4Womj9n4WMPq0U6ZtVPv7tngzSE69-PON7iBQAeRthtEDzGh-p6MUg7EMGxjotV9292Pe4PBOwy5CUpXRDEktg_AkhRN1uA1jS-eaeYKS63g-xdlYkYzhzsx_78d7uqLsa2mnfRdenocwN5KxN0LvGGHomLb92UTdBRWeju_9nGSSeFZb2QowRmRjJBC2m_KdJ1zSQp_FE4u_hgB0Frb9iN1om-MpgwosGFaKKZb5vGR4oFEtUulk1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pinetum<\/a> to expansive views across the <a href=\"http:\/\/tracking.kew.org\/tracking\/click?d=xq-ZL0IJ0OgtUYxybvOzzxzPNnCJ0U8mKEfKXpi-a52M0qEACHoNPeREQbtVen_xHProZpVpVCZXkqKya3QMsVcpEVuO_wdVpkhju0p7FAVbjOO_IKXxbSbVMGYcyaXoap8Ghb_A4s0Twm1TxlvdrUzQ11V5v4e8W6F14S7XxjYscbGpziEgHzxFd_J8zK6DeckRUhRxD33-q-h_nB8LDu72Y4helXSMaf5nC779xlHQYtl-JOLq_GXMfhwA6_NAx91Cl_QFMi8s_V6EMssE86EPUoG8lyIA3MET-OZ0W84I5kyizTRHvGM-Qp5UTgTrNQ2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Loder Valley Nature Reserve<\/a>,\u00a0Wakehurst\u2019s benches offer a space\u00a0to watch the transformation between seasons.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Winter wildlife<\/span><\/strong><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wildlife abounds in the Loder Valley, open year-round for visitors wanting a wilder adventure. A 1.3km pathway weaves through ancient woodland, with hides\u00a0along the river offering a\u00a0peek\u00a0at the\u00a0creatures\u00a0that call this historic habitat home.\u00a0Trees such as birch and alder\u00a0supply\u00a0seeds for<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0flocks of\u00a0goldfinches, siskins, crossbills, and redpolls<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, often heard before\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0seen as they hop from tree to tree.\u00a0Sunny winter days are the ideal time to spot<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0goshawks<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, once on the brink of extinction, in their\u00a0mesmerising\u00a0\u2018sky dance\u2019 display.\u00a0Over winter, Wakehurst welcomes\u00a0a friendly flock of\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">light-footed Hebridean sheep<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, as well as families of\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Riggit\u00a0Galloway cattle<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. On their\u00a0seasonal\u00a0holiday from the Ashdown Forest, these four-legged visitors help to\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">manage ecosystems by treading in seed<\/span><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, whilst enjoying the tasty, herb-rich\u00a0grass.\u00a0Visitors can look out for the cows and sheep across the landscape\u00a0into late winter. Young explorers can enjoy a <a href=\"http:\/\/tracking.kew.org\/tracking\/click?d=PCgYz9tCvWP5jPX-GBUAfNcv2M72ZOYhtmOgBBaQR6QcnTrffkFXhX5Zks97ZHq9Pvoxynzp3xCy7R2cYxwHGwdplUrUupVYJm6A3SqR67mtRp_EwrjVSGy-njC0DWUrmpO2RLVf27jsMFfA-cPGvT1xzFBKa7HlY8pZO3RccG7LJSTZIAKidJhdGeVcFfsLWUILRyQo110LQGi4HF2hXtc3Il2KP1Hae1ILuRBzTDEONQPWc10jCdMhq53yd9oh6WQ_xsF_bkw3j6Macn4BmsP3OJb1RZZMpLcO9dRNEudy0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Shaun the Sheep Augmented Reality trail<\/strong><\/a>: Fun with the Flock over the February half-term, where families will be tasked with helping Bitzer the dog complete his daily checklist. Combining interactive AR, and on-site \u2018hide and sheep\u2019 elements bringing Shaun\u2019s Flock to life, it\u2019s one ewe won\u2019t want to miss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">To explore what Wakehurst has on offer this winter, visit the <a href=\"http:\/\/tracking.kew.org\/tracking\/click?d=4OkQcjBXGuaZdr7e80mjCTl1rif-R0OGqlMATE7yOjLSijSx_LKrFY8eN5bX7cl201Mj75ozHpZfiay3hrNpPmSs9YrKjW6Lr-dy1SMuyjWJuTJeCdbI0Sbm3yTEBjic58bs1HHCVKRoqyAXtXBzLDyZBgLSw-axJUPoExHYds3v7Onw2vrWAZK3HluZOmipmoFWYXSzuGyFV1aNhBnXZUEusfz7JtHu_yMyrG6Czu2FZzXXUf9Fc2OxE8N8a5Jvbw2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">website<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>Image: Wakehurst Winter Garden, Visual Air \u00a9 RBG Kew<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gardens open\u00a0daily\u00a010am to 4.30pm\u00a0Free entry for Wakehurst and Kew members\u00a0Children 16 and under go free\u00a0 Witness the Winter Garden at its peak\u00a0 Experience the benefits of connecting with nature, backed by research\u00a0 First signs of early spring soon to appear across the gardens \u00a0 The change of seasons is on the horizon, and\u00a0Wakehurst, Kew\u2019s wild [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":58892,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1220],"tags":[],"directory-category":[],"event_categories":[],"class_list":["post-58891","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nature"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-09-25 08:59:57","action":"change-status","newStatus":"trash","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/midsussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58891","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/midsussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/midsussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/midsussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/midsussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58891"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/midsussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58891\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58896,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/midsussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58891\/revisions\/58896"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/midsussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58892"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/midsussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58891"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/midsussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58891"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/midsussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58891"},{"taxonomy":"directory-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/midsussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/directory-category?post=58891"},{"taxonomy":"event_categories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/midsussex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event_categories?post=58891"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}