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The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, always lovely with ponds, green spaces, flowers and the stunning Victorian Palm House, have added this play-and-learn area aimed at three- to six-year-olds. Find out how to make the most of a day out to Climbers and Creepers.
Overall atmosphere
Climbers and Creepers opened in June 2004 and focuses on learning about plants and ecology. It does this by creating a giant landscape where kids are bug-size relative to the environment around them. There are also real insects and flora to see, from live insect-eating plants to a beehive to a large butterfly cage filled with beauties. C&C encompasses an inside and outside play area - great for all-weather outings. The whole area is constructed inside a greenhouse that's inviting and bright, unlike many inside playscapes we've visited, and is a great way to spend an hour or two during a day at the park. An associated website has games, stories and plant information.
The equipment and attractions
Kids were jostling for a chance to climb inside the giant flower and jiggle its style and anthers (those things that pollen is on - see, we did learn something) until a voice congratulated them on pollinating it like a bee would. Likewise, the pitcher plant slide, which makes a silly cartoon sound whenever someone slides down it, had them lined up for days. Less dramatic but also appealing were the Hideaway Home, a kind of treehouse similar to that of a harvest mouse, that kids can crawl into, and a 'spider web' of ropes that makes noises when you climb on it. A couple of areas sounded good on paper but were a bit of a let-down in reality. The bramble tangle was described as an area to crawl through but was actually more of a big canopy children could walk straight through. The kids we saw didn't seem to know what to do in it. The Venus Flytraps also looked really exciting. You could drop 'flies' on long wires into their open 'mouths' while a friend tried to snap them up. But even as an adult we found the lever too hard to move.
The outside area, called Air Play and sponsored by Fairy Naturals washing-up liquid, is billed as a high-physical-activity area 'designed to nurture children's understanding of the natural world'. We thought this was fancy speak for an area where kids can tear around and act like maniacs. The day we were there that's exactly what they were doing. Elements in the area include a lookout point over the gardens, water squirts, wind spinners and leaf-shaped hammocks, where one toddler was having a snooze, oblivious to the shouts around him.
What to eat
The Lookout, a rest and observation area with a snack bar and a vending machine, overlooks the play space. The snacks on offer are the usual suspects - some healthy options like raisins plus kid favourites like Fruit Winders. The playspace sits next to White Peaks, which has heartier fare, including chicken nuggets, burgers and chips, as well as a shop. But if the weather is good, you can save money by bringing your own and picnicking on the grounds.
Opening hours
Climbers and Creepers has shorter hours than the park itself. It is open daily from 11am to 5:30pm in summertime. Beginning in September and throughout winter it is open from 11am to 3:30pm.
Getting there
Kew Gardens is located 10km southwest of London, near Richmond, on the Thames. It's easily accessible by car, with free parking on Kew Road, Kew Green and Brentford Gate after 10.00am. But the best way to get there is by public transport. Kew Gardens is just 25 minutes from Charing Cross on the District Line or 20 minutes by overland train from Waterloo, with an easy transfer from Richmond station, via the Southwest Trains overland trains. If you have a pushchair and are transferring at Richmond, ask a member of staff to take you in the lift, which is not available to the general public. Also note that Kew Gardens station does not have a lift or escalator for transfers to trains going into London. We had to haul our pushchair down the stairs, through the tunnel and back up the other side. Once in the park, Climbers and Creepers is easy to find, right next to the Brentwood Gate and adjacent to White Peaks.
Prices
Entry to Climbers and Creepers is included in the admission price for Kew Gardens. This costs £8.50 for adults, £6.00 concessions, children 16 and under are free. For more information, call 020 8332 5655 or visit the Climbers and Creepers website.
Contact information and bookings
Address: Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB
General enquires: 020 8332 5655
Website: www.kew.org
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