Kew Barefoot Walk: A sensory barefoot trail weaving natural textures through a World Heritage landscape
The Kew Barefoot Walk was a temporary installation and a central feature of Kew Gardens’ 2014 Plantasia summer festival, held within the Royal Botanic Gardens - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stretching approximately 230 metres, the trail invited visitors to remove their shoes and socks and engage directly with a variety of tactile surfaces drawn from the garden’s rich natural and historical context. Winding through the historic landscape, the barefoot walk led participants over textures inspired by site elements such as trees and shadows, Tudor Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, and the charcoal-making area. Constructed primarily from materials sourced on-site or from Kew’s depot, the route offered a sensory journey through pits of mud, sun-warmed pools, crushed charcoal, bark-covered logs, woven willow, Victorian metal gratings, pebbles, and sensory planting. This immersive experience encouraged exploration of diverse textures, temperatures, modes of movement, and natural aromas, offering visitors a playful reconnection with the often-overlooked sensory qualities of the landscape.
Plantasia’s overarching theme focused on the life-enhancing power of plants, and the barefoot walk aligned closely with research suggesting that grounding - physically connecting to the earth barefoot - can promote health and wellbeing. Beyond its therapeutic benefits, the walk provided a joyful and memorable experience for all ages, with approximately 750,000 visitors taking part over its three and a half month duration.
The trail was designed by Root And Erect in close collaboration with APES, who sourced the materials and oversaw construction. This unique intervention exemplified how thoughtful design can deepen visitors’ connection to nature by inviting them to slow down, sense, and play within one of the world’s most celebrated botanical landscapes.
