Summer at Kew Gardens, for all the Family
29th May - 5th SeptemberRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB
Butterflies, Bugs & Beasties
Come face-to-face with gigantic sculptures of insects, birds and bats located throughout the Princess of Wales Conservatory. These six types of large artistic representations will help narrate the fascinating stories on the relationship between them and the plants. Be greeted by a flock of hummingbirds as you reach the bromeliads or be immersed in the sound of bees swarming around nectar flowers.
Discover the role of flies in pollination and encounter an enormous metal sculpture of the Anthomyiidae fly (right) pollinating the Aristolochia species.
Anthomyiidae is a large and diverse family of Muscoidea flies, the name comes from Greek "anthos" (flower) and "myia" (fly). Aristolochia is a large plant genus collectively known as Dutchman's pipes that are pollinated by flies. However, the pollination system may be deceptive! Flies feed on decaying organic matter so it is unlikely that they depend on the pollen. The flowers attract the flies by imitating brood sites, so the flies lay their eggs in the flowers and pollinate them at the same time, the larvae can then feed on the fallen flowers.
Look out for the five remaining sculptures with fascinating pollination stories, hidden within the Princess of Wales Conservatory.
PLANTastic Play
An outdoor play area, shaped like a plant!
Young explorers can discover the new children's landscape, shaped like a plant, and nestled in the grounds of Queen Charlotte’s Cottage in Kew's Conservation Zone. Journeying through this interactive landscape, aimed at encouraging natural play, kids can learn photosynthesis and the importance of every part of a plant, from its spectacular flowers to the ends of its roots. Click here for a plan of the completed landscape.
Kids will be able to tunnel through giant roots, clamber over a solid stem, and explore a leafy maze before reaching the flower head, where a zip wire symbolises a pollinating bee!
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the complex web of all plant and animal life of which we are all a part and on which we all fundamentally depend. Quite simply, plants are the backbone of all life on the planet and our ability to effectively tackle climate change is linked with preserving biodiversity.
Fungi facts: did you know?
Toadstools and mushrooms are fungi.
Tiny moulds and yeast are fungi. They help us make bread, cheese and chocolate.
Fungi break down plants and help make soil.
Fungi make life-saving medicines.
Fungi help plant roots to grow.
Kew scientists study fungi and help people use them.
Family Biodiversity Trail
Discover why plants and animals depend on each other, Uncover some amazing facts about biodiversity around Kew Gardens. You will find the trail and the location of the trail boards highlighted in the Summer insert map. Your challenge is to find your way around our trail which will help you unravel some amazing facts about biodiversity!
Discover as a family how all living things from plants through to humans connect and cannot exist alone. The trail also provides examples of how you can increase biodiversity in your own garden or in the school playground by creating micro-habitats such as log piles for stag beetles, mini ponds for frogs and wild flower gardens for butterflies and dragonflies.
Visit the official website for more details...or
Book tickets online, click here for more information.
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