Kew's Spring Festival 2007

Each spring at Kew, Mother Nature shows off the best she has to offer with five million different flowering bulbs bursting into life across the Royal Botanic Gardens. Two million purple and white crocuses (Crocus vernus) create the Crocus Carpet, while drifts of daffodils line the Broadwalk and Chionodoxa form an unbelievably vibrant sea of blue.

Many people believe that talking to plants will help them grow, but perhaps it's only at Kew Gardens that the plants talk back! At each display, visitors will be able to dial a Babbling Bulbs hotline from their mobile phone and listen to one of Kew's horticultural experts give their insider information.

Monitor the progression of flowerings by visiting the Bulb Watch map at www.kew.org/bulbwatch. The map will show you where each display is in the Gardens and the page will be updated regularly, allowing you to time your visit to see your favourite bulbs in full flower.

Celebrating its one year anniversary, Kew's newest glasshouse, the 2006 RIBA Award winning Davies Alpine House, will host a display of alpine flowers and spring bulbs. Spring is the most colourful time in the Alpine House and it is the place to see some of the more unusual bulbs - the wild ancestors of the daffodils, tulips and crocus that can be seen planted in the Gardens.

Kew Magazine has long had a reputation for commissioning some of the UK's top photographers to record Kew's work in the Gardens and abroad, and some of the most stunning images have been selected to be the focus of an inspiring new exhibition. On display in the Nash Conservatory, the exhibition celebrates the success of Kew Magazine and will give a striking visual insight to Kew's horticultural, science and conservation work.

"Together with the writers, the magazine's photographers play a vital role in promoting Kew's message. We wanted to give visitors the chance to see the photographs in their full glory, and learn more about Kew," says editor Sue Seddon.

Easter Family Activities

Children's Spring Bulb Trail, 31 March - 15 April 2007

Throughout the Easter holidays younger visitors will be able to follow Kew's bulb trail, which will take them to a number of beautiful locations within the Gardens. At each destination they will need to answer a simple question about Spring plants to complete their scratch-card and claim their prize!

Animal Farm, 31 March - 15 April 2007

The Animal Farm will return for the sixth Easter holiday season offering children the chance to stroke, groom and feed animals, including ducks, chickens and goats. Handling sessions run throughout the day. Entrance to the farm is FREE once in the Gardens.

Giant Bunnies, 6 - 9 April 2007

Kindly brought along by the Giant Rabbit Rescue Centre, the giant bunnies return to Kew for the second year. These Continental Giants can reach between 16 - 18 lb!

Easter Egg Hunt, 8 April 2007

This year the traditional Easter egg hunt will take place on Easter Sunday, 8 April. Find the Easter Bunny around the Palm House Pond. Participation in the Easter Egg Hunt is FREE once in the Gardens.

Climbers and Creepers

The Climbers and Creepers children's play zone will hold a school holiday programme of interactive craft and horticultural activities with a Spring theme.

4 - 8 April: Come along to Climbers and Creepers for some Easter fun and creative activities. On Easter Saturday, make an Easter basket ready to collect eggs in.

9 - 22 April: Take home a seasonal gift which you have made in Climbers and Creepers. Spring seed sowing sessions will give children the opportunity to plant seeds to take home and grow their own vegetables and flowers. Spring craft sessions will involve making, among other things, grass headed people, sprouting Easter cards, and weaving natural materials to make nests.

The afternoon sessions above are ticketed and begin at 2.00pm, 3.00pm and 4.00pm, last 20 minutes and take a maximum of 20 children. Places must be booked with a member of staff in Climbers and Creepers and are allocated on a first come first served basis for that day's activities only. All activities are FREE. Activities are intended for children aged 3-9 - materials used are not suitable for those under 3 years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times whilst in Climbers and Creepers. -- www.rbgkew.org.uk