SightseeingIndoorOutdoor
Family favourite

Wakehurst

Ardingly, West Sussex · 4.5 · 8,421 visitor reviews

Ardingly, RH17 6TN

Wakehurst - Photo 1
...
1 / 8

About

At Wakehurst, there are plenty of kid-friendly activities to keep your sprogs entertained while you appreciate its beautiful collection of plants. Nature Heroes: Across the school holidays, young adventurers will have the opportunity to become a planet-saving Nature Hero. Put on your cape, join our mission and collect unique new badges.

Help Pip, Bud and Sprout as they discover new skills to protect wildlife, unlock the powers of plants and discover funky fungi. Mud Kitchen: Kids love getting dirty – it’s in their nature! And what better place for them to do it than in the great outdoors.

This family-favourite corner of the Children's & Community Garden is ready for messy play, with play spaces and shady spots, as well as sensory corners and learning zones for workshops and school groups. Complete with pots, pans, teapots and cookie cutters, our Mud Kitchen is the perfect spot to encourage children to get creative. Get stuck in!

Bank a Seed: Step into the shoes of a seed scientist and bank your own seed with our brand-new interactive activity! Follow your seed on its banking journey – from drying to x-raying, before it’s finally weighed, counted, and banked. Will your seed make it into the vault?

Looking for some amazing views that will amaze even your little ones? Explore over 500 acres of wild play areas, gardens, woodlands and nature reserve at Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden! Uncover magical woodlands, treetop adventures and woodland creatures , the perfect opportunity for your kids to play outdoors and learn about the importance of plants at the same time.

Wakehurst is a place where your kids can get hands-on with nature and grow their own plants! Rain or shine, there’s always fun to be had here, like visiting the Millennium Seed Bank or experiencing their interactive exhibition - Surviving or Thriving! Kew's Wild Botanical Garden Want to know a fun fact?

Wakehurst is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth and is the UK's largest conservation project! There's a whopping 200 hectares of ornamental Gardens, woodlands and a nature reserve to explore . So, whack on your trainers, wellies or flip flops and head into the lush leafy landscape of West Sussex !

Always keep your eyes peeled for seasonal events at this spectacular national trust location. Whether it's light trails in the Winter or activity packs for kids in the Spring & Summer, there are lots of great activities for families to get stuck into. It's the perfect family day out!

Whether you wish to spend your hot summers or windswept winters at the gardens, there are acres of landscape and breathtaking views to soak up all year round. It's a truly magical place to take your kids. Food & Drink Exploring one of the world's most diverse natural areas can be thirsty work which is why the Stables Kitchen is the perfect place to rest up and munch down!

Serving a selection of hot dishes using local seasonal ingredients, as well as fresh salads & sandwiches and kid’s lunch boxes, you'll be spoilt for choice! New for 2025, Pizza in the Pantry is the perfect place for families on the go, with freshly baked pizzas, a range of delicious scooped gelato flavours and coffee to drink in or take away. If you fancy a scenic picnic you should lay down your blanket in the butterfly-packed meadow!

Accessibility Guests who are registered blind, partially sighted, essential carers, personal assistants, support workers and next of kin accompanying disabled visitors will get free entry . If you are disabled and drive you will be happy to know that there are blue badge parking spaces located by the Visitor Centre. Just keep in mind there are limited spaces available.

If you have low mobility your needs will be well catered for with a limited number of standard and all-terrain wheelchairs available to borrow at the site . There is no need to book in advance, just ask when you arrive! Mobility scooters are available to borrow from the Visitor Centre.

Due to limited availability, we please ask for you to call our rangers to book in advance on 01444 894070 Registered disability assistance dogs are allowed in the gardens, they must be on a lead. There are many gravel and hard surface paths around the gardens. There is level or ramped access to the Visitor Centre and a lot of the ornamental planting, lawns and water features around the Mansion are accessible too via a hard surface path.

Good for: all ages, babies toddlers, older children, teenagers, young children

Categories

Facilities

  • Onsite Parking
  • Toilets
  • Baby Changing
  • Dog Friendly
  • Card Payments
  • Accessible Parking
  • Accessible Entrance
  • Contactless Payment

Prices

Adults: £18.50 Young Person (17-25): £9.25 Under 16s: Free Universal/Pension Credit: £1 Car-free travel: £9.25 Late entry (after 3.30pm): Adults £9.25, Young Person £5 NT members: Free (parking charges apply)

Opening times

Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Common questions

What can families do at Wakehurst?

Families can explore over 500 acres of wild play areas, gardens, woodlands and nature reserve. Kids can become Nature Heroes, get messy in the Mud Kitchen, bank a seed like a scientist, and explore the Millennium Seed Bank.

What are the opening hours for Wakehurst?

Wakehurst is open every day from 10am to 4:30pm. This consistent schedule makes it easy to plan your visit on any day of the week.

Is Wakehurst suitable for all ages?

Yes, Wakehurst welcomes all ages from babies and toddlers to teenagers. The hands-on Nature Heroes programme is specifically aimed at children, with activities for different age groups.

Can I bring my dog to Wakehurst?

Yes, registered disability assistance dogs are allowed in the gardens and must be on a lead. There are many gravel and hard surface paths around the gardens.

Does Wakehurst have accessibility facilities?

Yes, there is blue badge parking near the Visitor Centre, and a limited number of standard and all-terrain wheelchairs are available to borrow. Mobility scooters can be booked in advance on 01444 894070.

What families say

4.5

8421 reviews