Kew views

When it's May Bank Holiday Saturday and it's sunny and warm, the day deserves to be used for something special . . .

A walk through a beautiful bluebell wood perhaps?

But this isn't just any bluebell wood, it's the bluebell wood in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew – isn't it spectacular! The English wildflowers certainly put on a show to compete with all the exotic glories of Kew Gardens.


The main purpose of the visit was to see this – The Rhizotron and Xstrata Treetop Walkway. The entrance first takes you underground into the Rhizotron, animated sculptures of creepy crawlies cover the walls and an illuminated coloured glass mosaic lights the floor – the display explains the complex relationships of organisms and tree roots. Back in the sunshine above ground it's time to climb the 118 steps to the Treetop Walkway.


The structure meanders through the branches 18 metres above the ground. I even forgot to be scared of walking over metal grids high up in the sky!

Through the branches panoramic views of the the Temperate House and London stretching out in the distance and looking amazingly green and leafy.


Look down over the handrail (yes, the walkway wobbles a tiny bit, but it's so fascinating you'll soon get used to it) and you'll see a tapestry of greens laid out below.


And then back down the zig-zag stairs to the woodland floor. It's worth every step.


We looked around Queen Charlotte's Cottage; sat by the Thames and enjoyed the view of Syon House across the river; admired the gorgeous scented flowers of the rhododendrons; visited the Japanese Minka in the bamboo garden and ate walnut cake at the White Peaks café.

I wanted to take the Queen's Garden behind Kew Palace, home with me :-) The laburnum arcades surround a rectangular sunken garden full of herbs and medicinal plants, and mix of formal clipped box and modest plants that would have been grown in 17th century garden.


It's Kew's 250th Birthday this year and to celebrate the power of seeds Tom Hare has been commissioned to weave these fantastic giant willow sculptures inspired by seed pods. Five are already in situ . . .

Banksia

Devil's Claw Proboscidea althaeifolia

Horse Chestnut

Poppies

Star Anise

and a further five, lotus, honesty, Sophora, sycamore and coco de mer, are being constructed over the summer – and you can actually help Tom to weave them at workshops over the next few months.