Mindfulness and Wellbeing trail

Walking distance

• Approx 2.1 km (2.5 km from Victoria Plaza) 
• 45 min to 1 hour

1 - Marianne North Gallery

How many poems have been written about the changing seasons? How many paintings feature spectacular landscapes from around the world? 

Many people find that getting creative boosts their wellbeing, whether through art, music, writing or photography, and nature offers many sources of creative inspiration. 

Step into the Marianne North Gallery to see over 800 paintings by intrepid Victorian artist Marianne North. Many of these paintings were created while Marianne was observing the plants in their natural habitats – she produced her art while immersed in the natural world. 

2 - Temperate House

They say variety is the spice of life. Biodiversity, or biological diversity, refers to the variety of living species in an area – all the plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms that make up our natural world. 

Maintaining biodiversity is not only important for the health of all ecosystems on Earth, but also for our physical and mental health. Connecting with nature can remind us that we are a part of something bigger – a complex system that sustains us, which we have the power to protect. 

As you explore the Temperate House, pay attention to the rich variety of textures, shapes and colours surrounding you. 

3 - Japanese Landscape

Japanese Zen gardens encourage a meditative and mindful communion with nature. Featuring the meaningful placement of rocks amongst gravel raked in specific patterns, these gardens contain an abundance of empty space in which to reflect on the uncluttered nature of the meditative mind. Within the chaos of everyday life, these gardens offer respite and tranquillity. 

In the Japanese Landscape at Kew, there are three gardens: a Garden of Peace, reminiscent of a traditional Japanese tea garden; a Garden of Activity, where stones and raked gravel represent the movement of water; and a Garden of Harmony, which unites the gardens, symbolising Japan’s mountain ranges. 

4 - Redwood Grove

The Redwood Grove is place of reverence and tranquillity: as you wander amongst these gentle giants, notice the sunlight filtering through their lofty canopies, the smell of the damp earth under your feet, and the colour and texture of the bark on the trunks that surround you. 

Redwoods are some of the most awe-inspiring trees on Earth. They can grow to immense heights. One of the world’s tallest trees is a coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) known as Hyperion, which stands in the Redwood National Park in California at a staggering 116 metres tall (380 feet). The world’s largest tree by volume is General Sherman, a giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) which grows in the Sequoia National Park in California, reaching a height of 84 metres (275 feet) and a diameter of 11 metres (36 feet). Another notable redwood species is the dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostoboides), which was believed to be extinct for 20 million years, until living specimens were recorded in China in 1941. 

At Kew, the Redwood Grove contains trees from each of these incredible species. 

5 - Natural Area

Have you heard of ‘forest bathing’? Known as shinrin-yoku in Japan where it originated, the practice encourages people to detach from technology, immerse themselves in a forest environment and connect mindfully with their natural surroundings. This journey of meditation can help individuals de-stress and find a greater sense of wellbeing. 

The Natural Area at Kew is a wilder, more untamed corner of the Gardens, a landscape filled with shady trees, tall grasses and wildflowers. In the spring, swathes of bluebells and wild garlic carpet the undergrowth. The raised Woodland Walk allows you to explore parts of the Natural Area without disturbing the delicate habitat. 

Why not try an exercise in forest bathing while you’re here? Move along the paths slowly. What can you hear, smell and see? How does this environment make you feel? Remember to breathe deeply, and try to avoid checking your phone or thinking about your to-do list. 

6 - Log trail

Jumping in puddles, kicking up leaves, rolling down hills – for children and adults alike, playing outside is a powerful way to connect with nature and create memories that will last a lifetime. 

Kew’s log trail is a wild and interactive play area, created from trees that were knocked down by storms. You’ll find many different types of trees, including beech, ash, oak and eucalyptus and pine. Explore their shapes, sizes and textures, and test your balancing skills as you skip and clamber across this unique trail.