New labyrinth sets visitors on journey of discovery at Kew’s country estate
An intricate spiral labyrinth, inspired
by the pattern on the base of a pine cone, is providing a fascinating new play space
for visitors of all ages at Wakehurst Place, Kew’s country estate near Haywards
Heath, West Sussex.
Visitors can follow the twists and turns of a 600 metre path, made from 12,000 locally
produced bricks, to reach the centre of the labyrinth which is marked with a hand-made
bronze disc of a seed pod. (Pictures are available, see details under notes to editors).
Called Unexpected Endings, the labyrinth is the latest in a series of imaginative
play spaces at Wakehurst, designed to encourage visitors to explore different areas
of the 500 acre estate and highlight the vital conservation work of Kew’s Millennium
Seed Bank which is located at Wakehurst.
Artist Patricia Swannell, who is a patron of Kew, created the design for the labyrinth.
Her inspiration for the ‘golden spiral’ labyrinth came from the intricate patterns
on pine cones in the Millennium Seed Bank, where seeds from thousands of endangered
plant species are preserved for the future, and her son’s fascination with labyrinths
when he was a child.
The ‘golden spiral’ – also known as the Fibonacci spiral after the Italian mathematician
who charted it – is a familiar pattern in nature that can also be seen in a snail
shell, the face of sunflower, an uncurling fern and many other examples.
A local bricklayer laid out the design, with Wakehurst staff, volunteers and Patricia,
all lending a hand.
Andy Jackson, Head of Wakehurst Place, said: “The labyrinth is one of a number of
new play features designed to take visitors on an adventurous journey around Wakehurst,
making exploration of the plants here fun and inspiring and leading on to more discoveries
in Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank exhibition.”
Patricia said: “It has been great to see the labyrinth taking shape in its natural
surroundings, the setting and craftsmanship have transformed it into something that
far exceeds what I had imagined.
“My son used to be fascinated by labyrinths as a child and it has been a joy to
see how children and people of all ages react to this labyrinth. It is wonderful
to see it catching people’s imagination.”
She added: “The ‘treasure’ at the centre of this twisting and turning path is a
seed pod and I hope it will remind everyone who enjoys the labyrinth of the important
conservation work that is being done by Kew at the Millennium Seed Bank. “
Other new play features include carved totem poles depicting stories inspired by
trees and nature, an acoustic chair shaped like a fir cone, and willow tunnels.
Each of the play features includes a bronze disc with a seed or fruit at the centre
made by Patricia and bearing the question: “Is it banked?” Visitors can then go
on to the Seed Bank where this summer they will be able to discover whether the
plants on the bronze discs are conserved in the vaults.
Photo copyight RBG Kew