Wakehurst

About

Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, is the perfect place to explore whatever the season. With over 500 acres to discover, enjoy ornamental gardens, temperate woodlands and outdoor play spaces to keep all ages entertained.

The extraordinary estate is situated in the High Weald of Sussex, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With the collections planted geographically, enjoy a circular walk through the temperate woodlands of the world admiring giant redwoods, hickories, gum trees and even the dinosaur of the trees, the Wollemi pine.

The great storm of October 1987 tore through the plantations at Wakehurst, uprooting 20,000 trees, this led to a massive replanting programme which continues and has created the new vistas seen today. Highlights of the gardens include the Water Gardens, Westwood Valley, Himalayan Glade and Wetlands. With over 500 acres of dramatic landscape to explore, be inspired by the beauty whatever the season.

Wakehurst hosts various events and workshops throughout the year, including Kew Science Festival, Wild Wood, Bountiful Botanics and the popular Glow Wild winter lantern trail.

Mansion and walled garden

Discover the Elizabethan Mansion, dating back to the 16th century. Built on an old site in 1590 by Edward Culpeper built the house is built of the local Ardingly sandstone. In 1963 the estate was left by Sir Henry Price to the National Trust, who then leased it to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in 1965.

Surrounding the Mansion, discover the Walled Gardens and Winter Garden. The beautiful formal gardens are ablaze with colourful flowers, with the Winter Garden redesigned and planted in early 2018 with 33,000 plants.

Loder Valley Nature Reserve

Settle down in one of the nature hides to see kingfishers, marsh tits and butterflies, as well as over 300 plant species in this 150 acre private nature reserve. The Loder Valley is included in garden entry, but a permit is required from the Visitor Centre on arrival.

The Welcome Trust Millennium Building

Open all year round, the Welcome Trust Millennium Building (Millennium Seed Bank), opened in 2000. A hub of scientific activity, discover more about it’s vital mission and what makes it the most biodiverse place on Earth. Through storing the world’s seeds, the Millennium Seed bank aims to preserve 25% of the world’s plant species by 2020 with the aim to provide an insurance against the extinction of plants in the wild.