Family adventures in Wonderland
The world's biggest flower show is not short of exhibits to delight the whole family, says Dawn Isaac
“A flower show! What do you mean you’re taking us to a flower show?” If this is your children’s response to a trip to Hampton Court, perhaps it’s time for a little re-education. Yellow submarines, mad hatters and subterranean worlds – this isn’t just a flower show, this is a family-friendly RHS Hampton Court Flower Show.
140 years after his Through the Looking Glass book was published, Lewis Carroll is featured heavily in various guises. Why not check out Carroll-inspired scarecrows built by schoolchildren which include demented hatters, fierce queens and time-poor rabbits (Palace Area).
And while you’re in a Lewis Carroll mood, see if you can spot the Alice references throughout the Wonderland of Roses Marquee, from croquet lawns to size altering snacks.
Entertaining & educational
For exhibits that educate as well as entertain, let the kids browse the Picturesque concept garden with living paintings inspired by the real artworks of Monet, Hockney, Mondrian and Kandinskey. Or enjoy a social history lesson courtesy of The Home Front Garden (Small Gardens area, pictured) complete with Anderson shelter and a Dig For Victory inspired plot. And, for budding botanists, visit The Naked Garden (GW16) to see plant roots laid bare in giant glass vases or marvel at air plants in the Floral Marquee (FM28).
Weird and wonderful
Weird and wonderful sights abound at the show. A huge grass mound and inverted sphere in the middle of a pool (GW6), a 20-metre long bulb lit worm (TH68) or an upside down garden (TH63) should elicit a whole raft of ‘why?’ and ‘how?’ questions. And after years of being told “you look with your eyes not your hands” the sight of an enormous sign instructing visitors to “please touch” on the CoppaFeel! Garden should impress all the under 10s.
But don’t miss what’s beneath the feet. What might look like a group of slightly rusty waste bins is in fact a set of ingenious periscopes for viewing a world of mushrooms lurking underground in Dan Lobb’s Landscape Obscured garden (TH64).
For a more traditional productive space, you can show the youngsters the RHS Edible Garden in the centre of the showground which boasts bee keeping and willow weaving demonstrations, stilt wearing hop growers and some very photogenic ducks.
If you really want to impress the kids with the possibilities of flowers there are a host of amazing floral creations (Floral Marquee) including an undersea world complete with yellow submarine, plus a planted pets corner (Palace Area) with dogs, roosters, deer and even a full size horse all created from sempervivums.
But if all this fails to impress, simply take them to the Cinema Paradiso small garden (PAL330). “Look kids! It’s got a TV screen… outside!” Suddenly this flower show will seem right on their wavelength.
And there's more...
- On the weekend of 9 and 10 July storytelling sessions in the special Children's Zone (Palace area) draw on science, horticulture and fairy tales to weave a spellbinding experience for all ages.
- Surrey Wildlife Trust will be helping you discover the fauna you can find in your garden or nearby park.
- And, of course, there are street entertainers, balloon modelling and face painting to keep younger visitors amused.
- Follow the Children's Trail to make sure your family don't miss out on any of the fun.