- Orchid festival opens 7 February, pre-booking essential
- Continuing exhibitions in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery celebrate Indian art
- Horticultural highlights include snowdrops and delicate Alpine blooms
- Shaun the Sheep AR Trail arrives at Wakehurst for half-term
- Coming soon: Sounds of Blossom at Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens
Orchids 2026 | 7 February – 8 March 2026 | Pre-booking essential
Join us for an orchid spectacular inspired by China, as we celebrate 30 years of our much-loved Orchid Festival. The 2026 festival takes inspiration from China’s remarkable biodiversity, heritage and design traditions, filling our Princess of Wales glasshouse with a dazzling array of orchids and large-scale floral installations. Wander among dragons, lanterns and intricate plant sculptures that bring to life the beauty and wildlife of one of the world’s most biodiverse countries and experience a burst of colour and warmth in the winter months.
Orchids After Hours sessions on 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 February offer a unique opportunity to explore the glasshouse after dark, with delicious food and live performances in the glasshouse.
The Singh Twins and Flora Indica | until 12 April 2026 | Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art | Included with entry
Now running in Kew’s Shirley Sherwood Gallery, two complementary exhibitions explore the complex colonial history of botanical art through both historical and contemporary lenses. In Gallery 5, Botanical Tales and Seeds of Empire by internationally acclaimed artists The Singh Twins showcases a striking new body of work inspired by Kew’s botanical archives.
Flora Indica: Recovering the lost histories of Indian botanical art, displayed in Galleries 1–4 will be the first-ever public display of 52 rediscovered botanical illustrations by Indian artists commissioned by British botanists between 1790 and 1850.
An accompanying Indian flora walking tour runs each Sunday and Wednesday until 29 March, departing from Victoria Plaza at 11.30am.
International Garden Photographer of the Year: Exhibition 19 | 14 February – 9 March 2026 | Opposite the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art
IGPOTY touring exhibition 19 will launch at Kew Gardens and will feature a curated selection of high-placed photographs. The competition is a celebration of our planet’s green spaces, flora, fauna, and fungi showcased via some of the world’s finest photography, with a special Captured at Kew category showcasing the best of the Gardens across all seasons.
Horticultural Highlights- Winter
This February, visitors can find flowering snowdrops in the Rock Garden, including the ever-popular Galanthus elwesii, a variety known for its distinctive green markings that look like a frowning face, earning it the name of ‘Grumpy’. The Davies Alpine House also showcases some of the most resilient plants on earth, including daffodils, succulents and irises.
Short Courses and Workshops
Botanical amigurumi crocheting workshop | 26 February | 10.30am – 1.30pm | Nash Conservatory
Join us to learn how to create an amigurumi crochet character with TOFT. Perfect for the budding gardener, crafter or plant-lover, TOFT bring to life some of the most popular and recognisable plants and flowers in their ‘cro-your-own’ crochet range. In this exclusive workshop, you will be making a plant directly inspired by the blooms surrounding you at Kew Gardens.
Pruning | 13 February | 10.30am – 4pm | Lady Lisa Sainsbury Lecture Theatre | 18+ only
This course will discuss pruning tools, the main pruning groups used when pruning shrubs and practical demonstrations will be carried out to show how to make proper pruning cuts and the type of material to remove on commonly grown species. Garden entry included with ticket.
Sound baths in nature | 10 & 25 February | 4 – 5pm | Nash Conservatory
Immerse yourself in the calming sounds of gongs, singing bowls and gentle percussion for a therapeutic sonic experience in one of London’s most iconic green spaces. No previous experience is needed for this expert-led session, making it the perfect opportunity to try a new way of reaching deep meditation and relaxation.
The Nash Sessions: A Valentine’s Quartet | 12 February | 6.30pm – 9pm | Nash Conservatory
Enjoy an enchanting evening concert in the stunning setting of the Nash Conservatory, Kew’s oldest glasshouse. Surrounded by candlelight, The London Session Quartet will perform a beautiful selection of romantic classics. The intimate atmosphere creates the perfect backdrop for a memorable evening, whether you are celebrating Valentine’s Day or simply enjoying a special night out.
Kew Publishing Book of the Month | Kew Pocketbooks: Chinese Plants by Alex Summers
This unique series of pocketbooks from Kew offers a snapshot into the diverse and beautiful world of plants and fungi. Each book lavishly showcases choice examples from different groups or collections. This book uncovers the broad variety of China’s plants, from the everyday staples of rice and tea to the sacred significance of lotus and peony flowers.
Coming soon: Sounds of Blossom | 14 March – 6 April | 11am – 6pm | Across the Gardens
Awaken your senses with spectacular blooms and uplifting music, set within the serenity of London’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site. This spring, immerse yourself in the splendour of nature at Sounds of Blossom. In collaboration with the Royal College of Music for the third consecutive year, seven new compositions have been created by talented music students, inspired by the unique charm of Kew’s lush spring landscape and our world-renowned magnolia and cherry blossoms.
Wakehurst
Horticultural Highlights Wakehurst’s Winter Garden transforms into a sensory centrepiece in the winter months and is the perfect place to lift spirits on a cold day. Paths weave through bright red dogwood and swathes of tall grasses, as brightly coloured Cyclamen and snowdrops offer a pop of colour on the ground. Look out for the illuminating white bark of Himalayan Birch (Betula utilis ‘Jacquemontii’), also found in the Asian Heath Garden.
Other sensory spots across the gardens include timeless winter fragrances in the Pinetum, the gentle sound of trickling water throughout the Water Gardens, and a series of viewpoints throughout Westwood Valley, offering breathtaking views across the South Downs and Loder Valley Nature Reserve as leafless branches reveal new vistas.
Come back each season to experience winter landscapes transform with spring colour, as bulbs burst into life. In summer, Wakehurst’s many meadows become the star of the season, buzzing with life, and when autumn descends on the gardens, woodlands of the world are painted with golden hues.
Should the season bring less favourable weather, visitors can seek solace in the Atrium of Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, which offers windows into the labs and an interactive exhibition for children.
Events
Shaun the Sheep AR trail: Fun with the Flock | 14 February to 1 March, 10.30am – 4.30pm
An exciting new partnership is coming to Wakehurst in 2026 with the world-famous Aardman, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary. Kicking off the collaborations will be a Shaun the Sheep Augmented Reality trail: 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 ‘hide and sheep’ elements bringing Shaun’s Flock to life, it’s one ewe won’t want to miss.
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.
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. 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. Launched in celebration of the Millennium Seed Bank’s 25th anniversary.
Dog walks at Wakehurst | Daily | Dedicated dog walking route
Enjoy Wakehurst’s wintery woodlands and captivating views with your four-legged friend in tow. Wakehurst’s dedicated dog walking route takes you through woodlands of the world, offering a dog walk with a difference. Excitable pups can burn off energy in the secure off-lead area and enjoy some downtime in Wakehurst’s dog-friendly cafes.
Uniformed group visits | Evenings and Saturdays | £170 per group of up to 30 young people
Twilight and Saturday sessions ideal for groups such as Cubs, Beavers, Brownies, Scouts, Guides or for eco/extracurricular clubs. Led by a qualified teacher, work towards conservation learning, nature connectedness, exploration or activity badges in our vast landscape and outdoor learning facilities.
Discovery and Access Events
Events spanning gardening, art and wellbeing, designed for those who face barriers to visiting. To enquire about one of these events, please email wakehurstcommunity@kew.org.
Crafting for Connection | Friday 6 February 10.30am-1pm | Free
Guided by artist Fiona Morehouse, whose work explores the deep connection between humans and the earth, we’ll craft together, connect, and co-create a collective artwork to be unveiled at Wakehurst’s Community Festival, 8 and 9 May 2026.
Sow and Grow workshops | Monday 16 February, 10.30am-1.30pm | Free
Join us for our monthly hands-on gardening workshops. Taking place in Wakehurst’s Children’s and Community Garden, these sessions offer a practical introduction to sustainable gardening for people who may face physical, sensory, psychological, or social barriers to visiting Wakehurst independently.
Nature Natters Wellbeing Walks | Monday 23 February, 11am-12pm, 1pm-2pm | Free
Our one-hour community well-being walks provide an opportunity for individuals to enjoy nature in a supportive and welcoming environment. Participants can explore Wakehurst alongside our trained guides, with opportunities to meet new people and chat with our friendly volunteers.
Dementia Friendly walks | Tuesday 24 February, 11am-12pm | Free
Led by our expert volunteers, you will learn about the wonderful plants, people and places that make up Wakehurst. Starting at the Visitor Reception and lasting around 60 minutes, the walks are led by our volunteer guides, who are specially trained by the Alzheimer’s Society.
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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Source Sarah Farrell, Kew
