The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
| Project | Walkways and furniture for the Children’s Garden |
|---|---|
| Location | Kew, Richmond, London |
| Designer | Suzie Jewell / Ground Control |
| Product | Millboard Weathered Oak in Embered |
Nurturing Curiosity Through Design
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Millboard decking project:
Steeped in centuries of botanical heritage, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew is a living archive of the world’s most extraordinary plant life. Since its establishment in 1759, the gardens have been a place of research, restoration and inspiration, drawing visitors from across the globe to explore its rare collections and diverse landscapes.
In 2018, Kew embarked on one of its most ambitious design projects to date: the creation of a new Children’s Garden – a 2.5-acre natural playground designed to inspire curiosity and imagination. Located in a previously underused corner of the site, the garden now stands as a vibrant celebration of nature, learning and play.
At the heart of the project was a vision to reconnect children with the natural world through movement, exploration and sensory experience. To bring this to life, Kew’s in-house Landscape Architect, Suzie Jewell, developed a concept that would allow children to quite literally walk among the elements.
Designing for the Elements
The Children’s Garden is divided into four interactive zones, each representing one of the essential elements that plants need to grow: earth, air, sun and water. Every space invites children to discover how these forces shape the world around them – through tunnels, canopies, bridges, trampolines, and winding walkways.
The landscape design balances natural beauty with subtle architectural form. Timber-inspired materials, earthy tones and organic curves blend effortlessly with surrounding trees and greenery. But beneath the garden’s apparent simplicity lies a highly considered structure – one that had to meet the challenges of constant footfall, exposure to the elements, and the enthusiastic energy of young explorers.
“Having previously specified Millboard products on design projects for schools, I knew that I could rely on the range for its durability and excellent anti-slip properties, on top of its natural aesthetic.”
– Suzie Jewell, Landscape Architect at Kew Gardens
A Material That Stands Up to Nature
For Suzie Jewell, the specification of Millboard’s Weathered Oak Embered decking was a natural choice. This striking finish, inspired by the ancient Japanese technique of shou sugi ban, brings depth and drama to outdoor spaces with its rich, charred tones. The textured grain captures the look of weathered timber yet offers the reassurance of modern performance – an ideal balance for a project designed to be both beautiful and enduring.
Used throughout the garden’s walkways, seating areas and play platforms, Millboard Weathered Oak decking in Embered brings a tactile warmth that harmonises with the surrounding environment. Its highly slip-resistant surface provides assurance underfoot, even in damp or shaded areas, while its wood-free composition means it wont rot, warp or splinter.
Unlike natural timber, Millboard decking requires minimal maintenance – a key advantage for a site of this scale, where long-term resilience is paramount. The boards’ hidden fixings and handcrafted finish also ensure a seamless, high-end aesthetic that complements Kew’s design vision.
Creating a Lasting Impression
The Children’s Garden was designed not only to delight but to endure. As one of Kew’s most visited attractions, it welcomes thousands of families each year, from early spring through to autumn. The surfaces, structures and materials chosen needed to retain their beauty and performance across changing seasons – resisting wear from weather, water and play.
The unique resin mineral composite core and Lastane® surface layer of Millboard decking deliver that longevity. The material is exceptionally slip-resistant, even when wet, and highly fade-resistant, ensuring the Weathered Oak Embered finish retains its rich tone despite year-round exposure to sunlight and rain.
From a design perspective, the dark, smoky hues of Embered create an elegant contrast against the garden’s natural greens and earthy browns. It adds a sense of sophistication to a space built for play – a reminder that functional landscapes can still hold beauty at every turn.
A Garden That Grows With Its Visitors
Since opening, the Children’s Garden has become one of Kew’s most celebrated spaces. It encourages play, learning and sensory exploration, while offering parents a tranquil environment surrounded by the beauty of nature. Every element – from the dappled light filtering through the tree canopy to the soft underfoot feel of Millboard decking – contributes to a multi-sensory experience that connects children to the living landscape.
Jewell’s design ensures that even the most practical components serve a purpose beyond function. The Millboard decking walkways guide visitors through the garden’s story – a journey from the depths of the soil to the open sky – without ever distracting from the natural surroundings. The subtle texture of Weathered Oak Embered underfoot enhances the sensory experience, grounding visitors in the environment while ensuring comfort and safety.
Harmonious Design
The success of the Children’s Garden lies not only in its design but in the harmony between innovation and authenticity. Millboard’s Weathered Oak decking in Embered embodies that same balance: a material that feels handcrafted, yet engineered for the rigours of public use.
From the first steps along its dark, richly grained pathways, it’s clear that this is a place where imagination and craftsmanship meet. The result is a landscape that will age beautifully, continuing to invite curiosity and connection for years to come.
Project Highlights
- Location: Kew, Richmond, London
- Size: 2.5 acres (equivalent to 40 tennis courts)
- Designer: Suzie Jewell / Ground Control
- Product: Millboard Weathered Oak Embered – used for walkways, platforms and furniture
- Opened: 2018
- Purpose: To encourage children to explore the elements that help plants grow — earth, air, sun and water
The Children’s Garden at Kew represents everything Millboard stands for: design that enhances nature rather than competing with it, materials that endure where others fade, and craftsmanship that invites people to slow down and look closer.
Through the deep tones and natural texture of Weathered Oak Embered, Millboard has helped Kew create a space that is as educational as it is enchanting — a lasting tribute to the power of play, discovery and design rooted in the natural world.
