Seed Cafe

I love this place and so do the kids. We go at least once a month and never get bored discovering new paths. Mind you I still haven’t been inside the Millennium Seedbank which houses a collection of seeds from around the world! Our current fave is feeding the birds at the Himalayan Glade lookout. We take some seeds, put them on the fence posts and then sit on the bench admiring the tits, finches, robins and pheasants having a feeding frenzy.
Wakehurst is part of Kew and the National Trust. My best tip is to become a NT member or buy an annual pass to Wakehurst for £20 — a single admission is £10 so you only have to go twice to make it worthwhile. There is a large shop, small garden centre and café at the entrance and a further café/​restaurant approx. 1 km from the entrance adjacent to the Manor. Although the food & drinks are not that cheap they do have Green & Blacks hot chocolate and choc. cornflake cakes which are irresistable and in the summer the sliding/​folding doors open up to enhance this modern piece of architecture.
The gardens are extensive with a plethora of different themes and some very large trees — one of which is lit up at Xmas and provides the backdrop for a fantastic carol singing event for all the family. There are two large ponds at the bottom of the hill where the muddy ducks are very entertaining in the bread feeding department — another toddler favourite.
Overall, Wakehurst is great for all ages and is a great expanse for young children where the gardens themsleves are the play areas. It is also great for pushing the pram around as an escape from the house. You’ll never get bored discovering the place and one day I’ll make it to the Seedbank.

The gardens here are absolutely gorgeous. Plenty of space to walk, and you get a good map on entry and the place is well signposted so you shouldn’t get lost?! The shop is lovely and the plants in the garden centre are gorgeous. The Millenium Seed bank is fantastic, i learnt lots in there, and they are doing a fantastic job. The seed bank is really good for children as there are touch screen computers which you can use to find out more about the seed bank.