Henry Moore at Kew Gardens Makes for a Remarkable Day Out in London

Travel journalism has taken me around the world, and not always in the most comfortable circumstances, so it was a pleasant surprise to be invited to the press preview of Henry Moore’s work at Kew Gardens, just a few stops away on London’s recently renamed Mildmay line.

There is something particularly fitting about seeing Moore’s sculpture here. His work was deeply influenced by the natural world, and Kew Gardens provides an ideal setting in which to encounter it.

Henry Moore

Henry Moore’s life as a sculptor began in 1919 when, as an ex-serviceman, he joined what was then Leeds School of Art, where a studio was set up for him. It was there that he became both a friend and a friendly rival of Barbara Hepworth.

Two years later he was awarded a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in London. In 1924 he spent six months touring northern Italy to study the works of Michelangelo and others. On his return, he spent the next seven years at the college, teaching two days a week and devoting the rest of his time to his own career.

In 1929 he married the artist Irina Radetsky, and they moved to a studio in Parkhill Road, Hampstead. Three years later he took up the post of Head of the Department of Sculpture at the Chelsea School of Art. Increasing recognition of his work led to numerous commissions and exhibitions around the world.

In 1972, with the help of his daughter Mary, he established the Henry Moore Trust and the Henry Moore Foundation, of which both Irina and Mary were trustees.

Henry Moore died on 31st August 1986 at the age of 88.

Kew Exhibition

Running from 9th May 2026 until 31st January 2027, Monumental Nature has been organised by Kew Gardens in conjunction with the Henry Moore Foundation.

The exhibition features bronzes, stone and wood carvings, prints and drawings, exploring Moore’s unique process of “thinking through nature”.

Thirty monumental sculptures are displayed throughout the gardens, while the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art houses sculptures in bronze, stone and wood alongside prints and drawings by the artist.

It was here that I began my exploration.

The works are beautifully presented in the gallery, and there is a small gift shop on the way out. It is an ideal introduction to the exhibition.

Then it is back out into the calming space that is Kew Gardens, with its famous Pagoda providing a fitting backdrop to this remarkable collection of Moore’s work.

A map shows where all the sculptures are situated, and there is also a land train offering guided tours.

Many visitors will remember the British Museum’s recent samurai exhibition, which showed how a thoughtful display can make familiar subjects feel fresh and surprising.

Despite numerous visitors, including groups of schoolchildren, the gardens remain a haven of peace and tranquillity.

This is a wonderful place to slow down, relax and enjoy all that nature has to offer.

There are various places to eat and drink, including the Family Kitchen, Orangery, Pavilion Bar and Grill, which serves Mediterranean dishes, and the more formal Botanical Brasserie.

Like Tracey Emin’s recent exhibition at Tate Modern, Moore’s work is unmistakably personal, yet immediately accessible.

Full details of the exhibition, including opening times and ticket information, are available on the Kew Gardens website.

Even if it is not just a few train stops away, Kew Gardens and the Henry Moore exhibition make for a memorable day out.

For more thoughtful coverage of London exhibitions, theatre and cultural life, visit EyeOnLondon.

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