The Latino Vibe At Kew

I popped down to Kew Gardens to see the much hyped ‘Orchid Festival’ which ran from February to 2nd of March. As a member, we had preferred morning slots. I wasn’t expecting to see a queue when I did turn up at the allotted time. We waited patiently for fifteen minutes before we were allowed in after security bag checks.

Peruvian Influence

The theme for this year’s festival was Peru. A cold winter was transformed into colourful , a sizzling, colourful and exotic terrain inside the Princess of Wales conservatory. It matched the hype with a show stopping displays.

We were treated to a blast of warm air which was much needed for the beautiful cacti plants that greeted us. I saw plenty of smiles on people’s faces as they saw life size baby Alpaca statue.

The crowds were huge in number, but it was very well managed with plenty of staff on hand to guide the crowds. As we ‘oohed and Ahhed’ over the orchids, we came to the first main show stopper.

The Orchids

Peru has over 3000 species of Orchid and probably the only place where so many grow in the wild. The build up was a splash of colour, warm climate and sensory overload for Winter in London.

As we walked into the Conservatory, we were wowed how the conservatory was transformed into a celebration of Peruvian biodiversity.

The central island was transformed to represent Lake Titicaca. There were lovely sculptures including Alpacas, Exotic Bird, Coy Carp fish and a host of colourful birds and other fauna.

Kew has done a wonderful job and the Orchids were breathtaking. Every patch was put to good use.

Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens, officially known as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is a world-renowned botanical garden located in southwest London. It covers over 300 acres along the River Thames, it’s one of the largest and most diverse collections of plants on the planet, with more than 50,000 living plant species.

Founded in 1840, though its origins trace back to the exotic gardens of Kew Park in the 18th century, it’s been a hub for scientific research, conservation, and public enjoyment ever since.

The place is packed with highlights. There’s the Palm House, a stunning Victorian glasshouse from the 1840s filled with tropical plants like palms and cycads. The Temperate House, the world’s largest surviving Victorian glass structure, showcases plants from milder climates.

You’ve also got the Great Pagoda, built in 1762, offering views over the gardens, and the Treetop Walkway, where you can stroll 60 feet up among the canopy. The gardens aren’t just pretty—they’re a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for their contribution to botany and ecological science.

It’s run by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a non-departmental public body sponsored by the UK government, with a mission rooted in understanding and protecting plant life.

They’ve got seed banks, like the Millennium Seed Bank partnership, preserving biodiversity for the future. If you visit, expect a mix of meticulously landscaped gardens, wilder areas like the woodland, and seasonal displays—think cherry blossoms in spring or orchids in the conservatories.

Parting Comments

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to the Orchid Festival. It was colourful, exciting, enlightening and fun. The sheer volume of people meant one couldn’t stand for too long gawping at anything in particular because so many people wanted to do the same. I would have liked to spent a bit more time inside, but due to the sheer numbers wanting to see the Orchids, I was out in less than an hour.

Was it worth it? Yes. It was a pleasure to see.

Thank you for your attention.

Best wishes

Tabby

http://tabbylondon.com