Kew Orchid Festival

Kew Orchid Festival is an annual event at the Princess of Wales Conservatory in Kew Gardens. People come from all over to see some of the world’s most beautiful orchids. This year’s event takes place February 5th–March 6th.

What’s on at Kew Orchid Festival 2022

This year’s festival is dedicated to the wildlife and culture of Costa Rica, an important orchid habitat. The country’s national flower is the bright pink Guarianthe skinneri (a kind of orchid), which will feature prominently. Installations include monkeys, sea turtles and the native quetzal bird crafted from blooms as well as works by Costa Rican artist Dino Urpí. Displays are inspired by the country’s incredible biodiversity – including 6% of the world’s flora and fauna – and will highlight Kew’s work to protect it.

Inspired to kit out your own place with flowers? Check our guide to Columbia Road Flower Market.

Other programme highlights include Orchids: After Hours. These evening events take place on February 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 25th & 26th from 6-10pm and feature live music and performances plus Costa Rican street food and cocktails. Tickets cost £18.00; carers enter for free.

All festival areas of the gardens are wheelchair accessible. Note that mobility scooters are not permitted in the Conservatory but there are wheelchairs available for use.

Tickets for Kew Orchid Festival 2022

Entrance to the festival itself is free, but you’ll need to pay for entrance to the gardens. Tickets are cheaper if purchased online in advance. Adult tickets cost £15.00, young person (16-24) tickets are £8.50 and child (4-15) tickets are £5.00. There are further discounts and concessions for families (2 adults, 2 children £37.50). Seniors (over 65) pay £14.00 and carers go free. What’s more, if you’re lucky enough to live nearby you’ll get tickets for £14.00. Remember to book a timed entry slot for the Orchid Festival when you purchase your entrance to Kew Gardens.

Buy tickets here.

It’s worth making a day of it. Kew Gardens is actually the largest botanic gardens in the world, so there’s plenty more to explore aside from the Orchid Festival.

Getting to Kew

Kew Gardens, the nearest station, is in Zone 3 and easily accessible by London Underground (District line), Overground and Train.

Kew Bridge station is slightly further, but still pretty close (800m). Trains run there from Waterloo via Vauxhall and Clapham Junction, however it does not have step free/lift access. Richmond has both, but you’ll need to take the 65 bus (direction of Ealing Broadway) to Lion or Victoria Gate.