The Living Rainforest

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United Kingdom - Berkshire - Thatcham

Institution Code: WYLD

BGCI Member: Yes

About the The Living Rainforest

The Living Rainforest comprises approximately 600 species of plants and 100 species of animals from tropical rainforests around the world. Free-ranging animals include reptiles, birds and butterflies and a two-toed sloth. The plant collection is known for its wide range of aroids and seasonally flowering Philippine jade vine and Giant Amazon water lily.

Main Address:
The Living Rainforest
Hampstead Norreys
Thatcham
Berkshire RG18 0TN United Kingdom

Telephone: +44(0)1635 202444
Fax: +44(0)1635 202440
URL: www.livingrainforest.org
Primary Email: enquiries@livingrainforest.org

Staff Details

  • Director's Name: Karl Hansen
    Curator's Name: Peter Clark
    Plant Records Officer's Name:
  • Total Staff:
    Horticultural Staff Number: 2
    Educational Staff Number: 10
    Research Staff Number:
    Administration Staff Number: 4

About the Garden

  • Institution Type: Other
  • Status
  • Status: Private: Yes
    Status: State: No
    Status: Educational: Yes
    Status: Municipal: No
    Status: Satellite: No
    Status: Trust: Yes
  • Date founded: 1991
  • Physical Data
  • Natural Vegetation Area: Yes
    Natural vegetation area: Size: 1 Hectares
  • Landscaped Area: Yes
    Landscaped Area: Size: 1 Hectares
  • Total Area: 2 Hectares
    Latitude: 51.481848
    Longitude: -1.219013
    Annual Rainfall: 2000 mm
    Altitude: 0.00 Metres
    Total area of glasshouses: 1100 Metres
    Total area of shadehouses: 400 Metres
  • Locality: Information
  • Locality: Garden Name: The Living Rainforest
  • Local Address: Hampstead Norreys
  • Locality: City: Newbury
  • Locality: State: Berkshire

Features and Facilities

  • Computer Plant Record System: Yes
  • Open to public: Yes
    Friends society: No
    Retail Outlet: Shop: Yes
    Retail Outlet: Plant Sales: No
    Disabled access: Yes
  • Number of Visitors: 80000
    Number of Volunteers: 30

Plant Collections

  • Special Collections:The Plant Collection at The Living Rainforest contains some of the most attractive species of the many tropical plant families such as bananas, gingers and bromeliads. However the highlight is the collection of AROIDS, the Philippine Jade Vine (seasonal) and Giant Amazon Water Lily (seasonal).
  • Invasive Species Monitoring: Yes
    Invasive Species Policy: Yes
    ABS Policy: Yes
    Plant Collection Policy: Yes

Conservation Programmes

  • Conservation Programme: Yes

Research Programmes

  • Education: Yes
    Horticulture: Yes
    Sustainability: Yes

Education Programmes

  • Visitor/Education Centre: Yes
    Education Signs in Garden: Yes
    Public Lectures/Talks: Yes
    Education Booklets/Leaflets: Yes
    Guided Tours: Yes
    Permanent Public Displays: Yes
    Special Exhibitions: Yes
    Courses for School Children: Yes
    Courses for University/College Students: Yes
    Courses for General Public: Yes
    Education Programme: Yes