Where to learn more about plants in the UK

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

The Royal Botanic Gardens, in London, is one of the world's most famous botanical collections, and also caters to non-specialist visitors. Educational visits can be arranged, with considerable opportunity for teacher input, tailored to age group and ability of audience. Kew's scientists also offer talks/demonstrations on their work in conservation.

Two theme-based activity sessions are available. Rainforest looks at rainforest structure and survival strategies in rainforests, Plant adaptations to environment and climate looks at plants' growth requirements and how plants solve the problems of survival in harsh environments. Contact the education centre by email at schools@rbgkew.org.uk or by fax at 020 8332 5640 for booking details.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

These extensive botanical gardens in a city-centre location provide an excellent site for visits on hot, sunny days. The Education Centre caters for schools and colleges, and relates a programme to the demands of the National Curriculum.

For school visits contact 0121 454 0784 ( if a Birmingham LEA school) or 0121 454 1860 (all other schools).

For private visits the gardens offer clear guides to the botanical collections. Apart from the plants there are also aviaries, including a tropical bird collection and waterfowl enclosure, a restaurant and an adventure playground. Keen gardeners can also buy plants from both conservatory and outdoor collections.

Natural History Museum

Needing very little introduction to most parents, the Natural History Museum in London is free to under 16s and over-60s. There is a wide range of popular exhibits, including an excellent visual display of a wildlife garden. The 'Seasons' exhibit is a unique, daily photographic record showing the changes in the museum's Wildlife Garden over a period of a year. This garden includes sections devoted to plants of chalk grassland, hedgerow, woodland, pond, reedbed and meadow.

Plant Power is an exhibition concentrating on 16 plants that have greatly affected humans. For example, the yam, a staple food in Southeast Asia, which is also used to develop the hormone progesterone. This hormone forms the basis of one type of contraceptive pill, which has had a profound influence on sexual and social behaviour in the West. Other examples are cotton and sugar cane, the commercial importance of which led to the development of the slave trade.

Parents and families can find out the latest on special exhibitions and projects at the museum by calling the hotline on 020 7942 5000.

Wollaton Park, Nottingham

Wollaton Park has lots of space and much to see. The Natural History Museum has a wide range of geological, zoological and botanical exhibits. There are extensive gardens and a deer park.

The website introduces potential visitors to a menu listing activities throughout the whole country. The user can choose the area of visit as well as the type of activity planned.

Conoco Natural History Centre

This centre is organised and run by the University of Aberdeen. It has very well-designed programmes for children of all age groups. School visits are free, and include well-planned activity days. At secondary level the activities on offer include a World of Plants morning. The group is introduced to plant classification and reproduction, using a large variety of plants from the University Gardens.

Family parties can enjoy the Cruikshank Garden, with its herbaceous borders and water garden. The centre also offers the opportunity for students to contact University staff for help with school projects.

The Eden Project

This new project, based at St Austell in Cornwall, has a botanical garden and education centre within a former china clay quarry. The Eden Centre styles itself as 'The Living Theatre of Plants and People' and tries to stress how the lives of humans and plants are closely interwoven.

Visitors can experience a variety of microclimates and examine large numbers of tropical and Mediterranean species. One particularly innovative idea is the use of a webcam to watch the plants grow. Check the website for details.

A visit to the Eden Centre can easily last for a whole day. Contact the Visitor Centre on 01726 811911 or the website for the latest information on booking arrangements.

Visitors will also be able to appreciate the magnificent engineering feat involved in producing the world's largest 'greenhouses'. Check the engineering site for details.