Introduction to Community Open Week

Community Open Week is a free event Kew runs for community groups and individuals who may face barriers to visiting us.

Our participants can sample everything we offer in our Community and Access Learning programmes, including hands-on activities, science games, talks, tours, performances and community art projects. There are opportunities to learn about Kew’s science and conservation work, connect with nature and enhance wellbeing.

Choir performance

Trinity Laban Singing for Parkinson’s Choir

Trees in Folklore talk

Sandra Lawrence, author of Kew: Witch's Forest

Roots of Connection

Participatory community art project led by artist Maraid Mcewan

Delivered by Kew

- Nature memory mapping
- Companion planting
- Science games, led by Kew science interns
- Unravelling mycorrhizal networks with Kew scientists
- Sensory tours, British Sign Language tours and guided tours led by a Kew horticulturist
- Storytelling for families and early years
- Youth Explainer games
- Youth Forum comic book workshop

Delivered by our partners

- Cut and paste pop up, The Francis Crick Institute
- Grounding meditation, Wellbeing and Recovery College
- Water warriors, London Museum of Water and Steam
- "The amazing mycelium network", talk by Maymana Arefin, the founder of Fungi Futures
- The Great Pagoda: A window to the wider world, Historic Royal Palaces

In numbers

Kew's 5th Community Open Week
6,432 visitors
Over 150 staff, volunteers and partners
31 unique activities suitable for all ages and abilities

Two women sit at a table with plants in the background. One is writing on a post-it note — Shared solutions workshop at Community Open Week 2024 © RBG Kew

Boy looking at memory map — Nature memory mapping at Community Open Week 2024 © RBG Kew

"No question was too small to answer. A great, friendly, comfortable visit"

"Allowing our service users to come to Kew without the cost of entry being a barrier was so wonderful. Our party felt more relaxed and peaceful at the end of the day"

"Reaching out is so significant for those without easy access to somewhere like Kew Gardens"

A boy and a girl stand in front of a pinboard covered in small squares that have each been painted and decorated in a different style — Collage garden at Community Open Week 2024 © RBG Kew

Toddler girl uses a pipette and a petri dish — Mycorrhizal networks activity at Community Open Week 2024 © RBG Kew

"Everyone we met from Kew was so warm, welcoming and kind. It was really lovely; a testament to the working atmosphere and connection to the ethos of CoW." - external partner

"The offer is brilliant. My favourite moments were simply chatting to people and hearing uses of plants in other countries. You don't always find these ideas in books!" - Kew volunteer

"A great event and fairly unique in London to have a large and complex organisation open its doors so widely to groups who would not usually have access." - Kew volunteer