Hurry Up Spring; You’re Late, For a Very Important Date!

After a bit of an odd start to “spring” in England this year, with the       temperatures dipping to a sudden -10 or thereabouts on the first day of March, and snow filling the streets, it’s thankfully starting to warm up at last!

And what better way to welcome spring than by visiting Kew Gardens for the last day of the Orchid Festival!

Stepping into the Princess of Wales Conservatory, I was first lead through a trail of succulents and under a magnificent archway adorned with a multitude of orchids in all kinds of colours, and hanging vines. It was magical walking through the draping archway into a world of colour, with orchids and other plants galore in all sorts of colours and patterns. I felt like I was entering the world of The Secret Garden film.

Nestled in amongst the flowers were references to the Thai culture and tradition. Featured were ornate temples floating in the water, covered by the delicate orchids, all in splendid shades of purple and yellow. A large golden gong was also placed atop the water, complete with dazzling green bejewelled dragons. Along with the orchids and other flowers,    unusual species of fish could be seen through the glass, resting beneath the temple in the water, along with various types of underwater plants and turtles.

Not realising how vast Kew Gardens are, I arrived late in the afternoon with not an awful lot of time. Fortunately, at this time of the year the park is not yet fully in bloom, therefore leaving only a handful of areas for me to explore.

One of which was the Palm House. It was magical. Everything from the sun streaming through the glass ceiling as it began to retire for the day, to the dainty white spiralling staircases and railings running along the length of the upper level amongst the uppermost fronds, was mesmerising.

The other was The Hive. An architectural wonder connecting visitors to real bees in a beehive located at Kew. This impressive instalment not only looks extraordinary, but also connects its visitors to the real life bees through the lights fitted within the sculpture. As we view the lights   flickering on and off, we are in essence watching the activity of the bees’ colony.

The Orchid Festival for this year may be over, but Kew Gardens is open all year around, and especially captivating later in the spring months when everything is in full bloom. Only a half an hour drive or by train out of London, this heavenly sanctuary is well worth the visit. I will surely be making a return visit soon!

Let me know if anyone has visited it before and your thoughts on it!

Mel xx