Kew Gardens event – Full of Spice in London

However many times I visit Kew Gardens, I never feel like I’ve thoroughly explored – there’s always something else to discover, or a far-flung section to wander.

Partly because each time I go, there’s a creative new temporary exhibition set up in the botanic gardens – within the last 12 months we’ve spotted Shaun the Sheep and enjoyed Plantasia to name two.

And with the crowds of half-term gone and a need for fresh air after hiding from the rain yesterday, we discovered the new Kew Gardens event – Full of Spice.

For the latest events and more tips on visiting Kew Gardens with kids, check out this post

There are a lot more activities taking place at weekends – the Spice Exchange, with stories about early spice traders and their routes, Rangoli workshops and music on ‘Spicy Sundays’ – but still plenty to discover today as well.

As ever, there’s a special map with highlights marked including star plants dotted around the grounds.

But our first port of call had to be the giant inflatable spices. We could smell one before we spotted it, a huge 14m red chilli pepper, tethered down by the Princess of Wales conservatory, although to me it seemed more like curry powder.

Nearby was a garlic bulb, and a short way beyond were a nutmeg and some ginger. My favourite part? They all had zips on which you could undo and sniff – the garlic was actually surprisingly yummy, although I am a garlic fan, while the ginger was fragrant and sweet.

The chilli didn’t seem as obviously perfumed, and I managed to inhale a lungful of dust, so sniff with care…

On the inflatables are some wonderful little facts as well, such as the one on nutmeg explaining that it was once so valuable that workers unloading it from trading ships weren’t allowed pockets.

Nearby the Spice Exchange may not have been featuring any special events but it’s still worth a wander, with thousands of spice jars forming the walls of a pavilion (plus a chai bar with some spicy biscuits). I loved wandering through and seeing which I could spot, although a deep pink powder baffled me.

There’s plenty of information around, including one in the Princess of Wales conservatory detailing what medicinal properties various spices have – although my mini tour guide declined to go inside and raced off to Climbers & Creepers and the outdoor playground nearby.

And as I was driving us home afterwards, that meant the spice No3 gin cocktail at the pop-up botanical bar was out too (bring cash if you want to try it). There’ll be a Dough Kitchen from July 25 for the summer holidays, with different spiced breads.

And if you can’t stagger afterwards, try the 20-minute rickshaw rides for £8.50, must be pre-booked.

We also missed the Spice Mix Super Computer 2.0, which lets you create your own personal blend to take home, so that’s a good reason to go back before my year’s membership expires in a few weeks!

Need to know: Kew Gardens event Full of Spice

Full of Spice runs to September 6, 2015 and everything bar the rickshaw rides (and cocktails) are included with entry.

Tickets cost £14 for adults if bought online, £15 at the gate. Children aged four to 16 are also now charged for entry, at £2.50 if bought online, £3.50 at the gate. Three-year-olds and under are free. Family tickets start from £18 online.

Opening time is now 10 with closing between 6.30pm and 7.30pm during the summer – see here for year-round details.

For more details of child-friendly activities and events, check out the Kids’ Kew suggestions.

All images copyright MummyTravels

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