Henry Moore Kew Gardens 2026 is shaping up to be one of the standout exhibitions of the year — and for Brighton residents, it comes with a bonus: a parallel Sussex chapter at Wakehurst, just 30 minutes away.
Monumental Nature opens at Kew Gardens on 9 May 2026 and runs until 31 January 2027. It is the largest outdoor presentation of Moore’s work ever staged — and the most comprehensive in a generation.
The Exhibition: What to Expect Henry Moore Kew Gardens 2026
Thirty monumental sculptures will be displayed across Kew’s 320-acre UNESCO World Heritage landscape — placed among trees, open meadows and historic glasshouses, including the iconic Temperate House.
Works on display include Large Two Forms, Reclining Woman: Elbow, Oval with Points, Sheep Piece and Locking Piece — each positioned to interact directly with the surrounding landscape.
Moore believed that sculpture should exist in harmony with its surroundings. Kew, with its layered heritage and extraordinary living collections, makes that belief tangible.
Inside the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, over 90 works — drawings, prints, bronze and stone sculptures, many rarely seen by the public — offer deeper insight into Moore’s creative process and his lifelong engagement with natural forms.
After Hours and Summer Programme
The exhibition extends well beyond daytime visits.
After Hours events transform the Temperate House on 26–27 June and 3–4 July — adult-only evenings celebrating the summer solstice through performances and artistic encounters, co-curated with the Working Class Creatives Database.
Guided buggy tours run from 14 July to 11 August — sunset experiences for up to six guests, combining expert guidance with sparkling wine and the gardens at golden hour.
A family trail runs throughout the exhibition, guiding younger visitors through selected sculptures via sight, touch and sound.
The Sussex Chapter: Wakehurst
For Brighton residents, Wakehurst brings the exhibition home.
Henry Moore and more opens at Wakehurst — Kew’s wild botanic garden near Haywards Heath — on 5 June 2026, running until 23 May 2027. Four of Moore’s sculptures will be set within the ancient woodland and dramatic landscape, alongside newly commissioned contemporary responses from Rana Begum, Rafael Pérez Evans and Paloma Varga Weisz, whose new work receives its UK premiere here.
Wakehurst is approximately 30 minutes from Brighton. It is one of Sussex’s most remarkable natural sites — home to the Millennium Seed Bank and 500 acres of wild landscape — and one of the most compelling art destinations in the region this summer.
Practical Details
Kew Gardens, London📍 Victoria Gate, Richmond, London TW9 3JR
📅 9 May 2026 – 31 January 2027
🎟 Included with Kew Gardens admission
💷 £1 Universal Credit ticket | £10 for ages 16–29
🌐 kew.org
Wakehurst, Sussex 📍 Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 6TN
📅 5 June 2026 – 23 May 2027
🎟 Included with Wakehurst admission
🚗 Approx. 30 minutes from Brighton
Pre-booking online recommended for best value at both venues.
The Verdict
Monumental Nature is rare — the kind of exhibition that uses landscape as a medium rather than a backdrop. Whether you visit Kew for the full programme or Wakehurst for the Sussex chapter, this is one of the most significant art experiences within reach of Brighton in 2026.
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