Wild florals might not be braving the chill just yet, but Kew Gardens is as blooming as ever with the return of their annual Orchid Festival. The Princess of Wales conservatory will be filled with over 5000 species of vibrant orchid displays in a spectacular celebration of Indonesia’s kaleidoscopic plant population. Bookings can be added to the usual day ticket, but we’d be inclined towards ‘Orchids: After hours’, where the botanicals are enjoyed alongside traditional Indonesian dancing and cuisine.
If you’re trying to eat a little more fruit and vegetables, think pink and book in a visit to Wakefield for their ever-popular Rhubarb Festival. With Yorkshire’s Rhubarb Triangle having been awarded protected status, it’s safe to say that locals take the rose-tinted vegetable very seriously, and you won’t taste better anywhere else. This year will include free cookery demonstrations, farmers markets, and – of course - the chance to try crumbles, pies and other delicious delicacies. Dig in.
While many museums and galleries offer the chance to immerse yourself in art, nothing quite compares to Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience. Offering a unique insight into the life and artwork of Vincent Van Gogh, the travelling exhibition will transform the historic York St Mary’s church, using virtual reality, optical illusions and projections to showcase the artist’s paintings in an extraordinary new light. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to step into a painting, book those tickets and see for yourself.
With January’s best intentions over and done with, let your sweet tooth run wild with a slice of Salted Chocolate and Caramel tart. Taken from Fergus Henderson and Trevor Gulliver’s new recipe book, The Book of St. John, this rich, sweet-meets-salty pudding is an instant showstopper. Whether you’re making something for someone special this Valentine’s or simply indulging after a month of restraint, we recommend you put this mouth-watering dessert top of your ‘to-bake’ list.