I’ve been lucky enough to go to the Orchids Festival at Kew twice, once in 2020, right before lockdown, and again last week, thanks to a friend who invited me along to check out this year’s edition.

Every year, Kew puts on an amazing display of rare and beautiful orchids in the most stunning colours and shapes. The festival always has a different theme, and this year it’s all about Peru!

Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON brings a splash of colour to your winter with a vibrant Peruvian orchid celebration!

Kew Gardens, a world-class botanical paradise in London

First, let’s introduce Kew Gardens, a beloved gem that Londoners are truly proud of…

Tucked away in southwest London, Kew Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the perfect green escape from the city buzz. With over 300 acres to explore, it’s home to an incredible collection of plants: more than 50,000 species from all around the world! 

I’ve already presented Kew Gardens in this blog, but here are some highlights:

The Palm House: a tropical rainforest under glass, with towering palms and exotic plants.
The Temperate House: the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world, beautifully restored and filled with rare species.
The Treetop Walkway: a chance to stroll through the canopy and get a bird’s-eye view of the gardens.
The Hive: an immersive installation that recreates life inside a beehive, complete with lights and sounds responding to a real beehive’s activity.
Seasonal Blooms: from vibrant spring blossoms to autumn’s golden hues, every visit feels unique.

Orchids festival in Kew Gardens

Every year, Kew Gardens turns the Princess of Wales Conservatory into a tropical wonderland for its Orchids Festival, and it’s absolutely stunning! The festival celebrates the beauty and diversity of orchids with thousands of colourful blooms arranged in creative, eye-catching displays.

Each year has a different theme, and for 2025, it’s all about Peru! You can expect stunning floral sculptures of Peruvian wildlife and beautiful Peruvian-like landscapes. Kew Gardens even host after-hours events with live music, food, and dancing. 

The music all along the visit, as well as horticultural displays of Peruvian plants and animals, and some iconic landmarks of Peru like the Nazca Lines and Machu Picchu make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world!

A Peruvian orchids festival

Rare orchid beauties

It’s absolutely stunning to see orchids cascading from above, floating on water, or thriving in different climates, all while coming from the same country! I learned that Peru is home to around 3,000 species of orchids, with many growing wild and found nowhere else on Earth!

A stunning setting

Each year, Kew Gardens celebrates a different country with stunning, thoughtfully crafted displays and this year is no exception! The centerpiece was absolutely breathtaking and completely blew me away…

Peruvian artworks

Throughout the visit, you’ll come across stunning paintings and artistic creations from Peru that really add to the experience, making you feel like you’ve been transported to another world.

A festival of shapes and colours

The variety of orchids here is truly mind-blowing! While we can find plenty at garden centres, I was still in awe of all the unique species I’ve never seen before!

Whether you’re an orchid enthusiast (or a connoisseur!) or just curious about these amazing flowers, you’ll absolutely love this festival!

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I hope you enjoyed reading this post! If you’re planning to visit the orchids festival at Kew Gardens, I’d love to hear about your experience – feel free to share it on the DOYOUSPEAKLONDON blog!

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To go further:

Kew Gardens: Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE.
Orchids festival: Princess of Wales Conservatory, Kew Gardens

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