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Kew Gardens celebrates a 'summer of sculpture' with Henry Moore exhibition

Local News by Cesar Medina 29 minutes ago  
Enjoy 30 artworks by the iconic Henry Moore at Kew Gardens this summer (credit: RBG Kew).
Enjoy 30 artworks by the iconic Henry Moore at Kew Gardens this summer (credit: RBG Kew).
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Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew is inviting residents to enjoy the critically acclaimed new exhibition of visual artist Henry Moore.

Running until 31 January 2027, Henry Moore: Monumental Nature has already been called 'the show of the summer' by The Times, with the Financial Times adding that the exhibition offers the opportunity to see 'Moore as his best'.

Kew Gardens says Monumental Nature represents the largest and most comprehensive showcase of Moore's work to date, featuring 30 works across London's largest UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This landmark exhibition offers a fresh perspective on Moore's lifelong engagement with natural forms and materials.

Presented in partnership with the Henry Moore Foundation, Monumental Nature spans Kew's 320 acres, creating new opportunities for visitors to encounter his monumental sculptures alongside iconic vistas and historic glasshouses.

Moore believed that landscapes provided the perfect setting for his sculptures, where the natural architecture of the environment could amplify their visual and emotional impact.

Alongside the artworks across the Gardens, visitors can also witness the curated exhibition in Kew's Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, featuring over 90 works including bronzes, stone and wood carvings, prints and drawings, exploring Moore's unique process of 'thinking through nature'.

This exhibition draws inspiration from Moore's evolving approach to natural forms, and features major and lesser-known works, some of which are rarely accessible to the public.

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The gallery exhibition culminates in a display of some of Moore's most impressive sculptures in wood, highlighting his innovative carving techniques and artistic process.

A selection of items from Kew's collections are also on display, alongside works on loan from major British collections including Tate and the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.

Monumental Nature is accompanied by a fully illustrated book published by Kew Publishing.

Featuring contributions by curators, art historians and specialists of associated fields from the team at Kew, such as botanists and evolutionary biologists, this new publication on Moore offers new viewpoints from which his work can be understood through a contemporary lens.

A small giftbook guide to the 30 outdoor sculptures at Kew will be available from late July.

Kew Gardens say that to allow everyone to enjoy their visit and explore the exhibition at their own pace, a bespoke Henry Moore Accessible Programme has been created to support visitors with additional interactive, sensory and access needs.

Regular accessible touch tours will run on the first Thursday of each month at 11:30am, designed to allow blind and partially sighted visitors to enjoy a selection of artworks, accompanied by audio description (advanced booking is essential).

An accessible trail map is also available, illustrating which sculptures can be viewed from paths across the Gardens- this can be downloaded from the Kew website in advance of visits, or picked up from any entrance gate on arrival.

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Tactile (braille) maps of the sculpture locations are also available to borrow, subject to availability. An online visual guide also allows visitors to familiarise themselves with the exhibition and what to expect before arrival.

Free 60-minute guided walking tours are available for all visitors, daily at 12.30pm and 2pm.

A daytime family programme running throughout the exhibition offers an interactive trail, focused on guiding younger visitors around a selection of sculptures through sight, touch and sound.

Paul Denton, Director of Creative Programmes and Exhibitions at RBG Kew, said: "It's been wonderful to see how well Monumental Nature has been received since opening in early May, and the Gardens have come to life with visitors of all ages enjoying Moore's astonishing artworks across Kew's varied landscapes.

"We're looking forward to a busy summer of sculpture, with something on offer for everyone- from sunset buggy tours, to the innovative After Hours programming and the curated accessibility offer which will allow as many visitors as possible to connect with this once-in-a-generation art event."

Sebastiano Barassi, Head of Henry Moore Collections & Programmes, added: "Seeing these exhibitions come to life at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst has been wonderful, and it's been particularly rewarding to see how well they are being received.

"Both of these unique exhibitions offer visitors a way to engage with Moore's works and legacy in new ways, encouraging them to reflect on nature, humanity , and the environment at a time when those themes feel more urgent and relevant than ever."

This summer, Kew Gardens will be participating in the Great British Summer Savings initiative, designed to help families enjoy discounted days out for less.

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From 25 June until 1 September 2026, tickets booked to the Gardens will carry only 5% VAT, and VAT on children's food options served in the Family Kitchen & Shop, Botanical Brasserie and Pavilion Bar & Grill will also be reduced.

To find out more about the Henry Moore: Monumental Nature exhibition visit Kew Gardens' website here.

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