HAYWARDS HEATH.- Marking a milestone 10 years, Glow Wild lights up Kew’s wild botanic garden, bringing festive magic and wonder to the South East with 10 new installations and myriad hand-crafted lanterns. Celebrated as a must-do Christmas experience, the 2023 edition of the winter lantern trail marks a decade of mesmerising memories and community spirit.

This year’s theme invites visitors to reflect on the awe-inspiring moments in the natural world – from epic examples of wildlife to delicate details of plants and fungi. In true Glow Wild tradition, over 1000 lanterns are handmade by local volunteers and community groups, with the tenth anniversary mile- long trail also boasting eight brand new bespoke installations from leading artists.

This year offers a new interactive experience with Wakehurst’s ‘Starkeeper’ from Long Nose Puppets. Visitors young and young at heart are invited to make a wish on a star to hang in the ‘sky forest’ before they continue their journey. Other friendly faces can be found in giant parading peacock, Percy who give a glowing welcome to all entering the gardens.

Beyond the dazzling creations, new to Glow Wild this year is a refreshed catering offer, with pop-up stalls throughout the trail offering comfortable dwelling points to admire installations whilst enjoying hot drinks and snacks. Crackling fire pits located close to the Starkeeper form the perfect spot for toasting marshmallows, whilst festive grab and go options can be found under the UK’s tallest living Christmas tree, the towering 37m stalwart of Wakehurst’s festive offer adorned in 1800 energy-saving bulbs.

Quiet Sessions are available every night at 4.15pm, whilst a series of Relaxed Sessions offer gentle performances adapted especially for children with special educational needs and disabilities. For those looking for the perfect date-night, adult-only slots will run each Friday at 8pm offering a quieter, more intimate experience.

In recognition of the strains faced by many during the ongoing cost of living crisis, Wakehurst has released accessible priced tickets from £11.50 for the opening week of Glow Wild and hopes this, combined with its free tickets for under 4-year-olds, helps families as they prepare for the festive season. The new flexible ticket offer allows bookers to swap or upgrade tickets up to 72 hours before their visit – available for new and existing bookings.

Glow Wild 2023 installations:
A magical realm

As winter wanderers descend towards Wakehurst’s wild gardens, towering yellow and white wildflowers and giant blades of grass form a prairie-inspired portal into the world of Glow Wild. Crafted by artists Kerith Ogden, Michelle Dufaur and Katherine Morton in collaboration with local volunteers, the glowing meadow gives visitors the sensation of shrinking as plump pollinator lanterns buzz above. The dazzling sunshine colours turn a fiery hue as visitors approach Mansion Pond where AndNow’s signature flaming torches encircle the calm waters. Dynamic circular rings of light floating on the surface ripple as dancing fish lanterns appear to leap and dive above.

Around the corner, visitors are greeted by Wakehurst’s Starkeeper, the guardian of wishes made upon beautifully hand-crafted stars. After whispering their wishes, people are invited to hang their star in the ‘sky forest’ to help light their onward journey. In contrast to the dynamic displays of flowers and fires, Kerith Ogden’s ‘It’s a small world’ draws attention to the tiny, in a series of mini-villages. Forming a dreamscape forest, visitors young and old will delight in spotting miniature doors and windows nestled within trunks and branches.

Wonders of water

Emerging from fire and earth, intrepid travellers encounter the wonders of air and water as Brighton-based arts charity Same Sky in collaboration with artist Katherine Morton turn their focus to the skies with lanterns taking the form of shimmering rain droplets, billowing clouds, and thundery bolts of lightning.

A crescendo of crashing waves draws attention from lofty heights to deep water, as designers OGE Group take inspiration from the ocean in Glow Wild’s largest bespoke installation in its decade-long run. A giant whale complete with 3m high tail dominates the underwater scene whilst jelly fish serenely float above. Created locally by metalwork apprentices from the Camelia Botnar Foundation, led by OGE artist Gason Zahr, the whale celebrates the giants of the sea. Alongside the path leading through the watery oasis, Michelle Dufaur invites visitors to consider the spectacle of smaller submarine inhabitants with her delicately crafted seahorse and ammonite shell lanterns.

Enchanting nature

In Wakehurst’s Iris Dell, an abundance of willow tree structures form Brockman Page’s ‘Woven Grove’. At its heart is an ancient mother tree, its branches and leaves cascading over 17 offspring, all nestled in the quiet glade, beautifully lit by Ben Page and enriched with a sweeping soundscape from Ithaca. Each small tree has been handwoven by local school children under Brockman Page’s expert guidance, an enchanting display of community creativity. At the end of Glow Wild, each tree will be returned to its origin school, where it will serve as a testament to the power of collaboration and inspire future creatives and horticulturalists. Approaching Black Pond, visitors are immersed in a magnificent constellation of over 300 stars, one of the original Glow Wild lantern concepts reimagined for the tenth anniversary.

Approaching the historic Elizabethan Mansion, currently wrapped in one of the UK’s largest outdoor artworks as the heritage building undergoes a major roof restoration, AndNow’s burning flames light the lawns in a fiery finale. Catherine Nelson’s Planet Wakehurst, a 1500m2 photo montage celebrating Wakehurst’s biodiversity is brought to life by digital artists Colour Project.

The animated installation invites spectators to reflect on the last ten years of Glow Wild, the memories formed by visitors of all ages, and the collective efforts to create magical moments of wonder and connection. It also offers hope for the future of the natural world, a chance to consider the human role in protecting the planet, and anticipation for the next chapter.