The Kew Mutual Improvement Society was established in 1871 under the auspices of Joseph Dalton Hooker. The Society programmed a season of horticultural lectures for the benefit of student gardeners at Kew.

Lecture seasons have occurred annually since the inception of the KMIS. Initially, events were only open to Kew students and staff, but more recently have become open to the public.

Each season begins in September and runs until Easter the following year. The evenings commence at 6.30pm Monday evenings in the Jodrell Lecture Theatre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Lectures are preceded by short items of interest given by Kew staff and students, and members of the public. The main lecture generally last forty to forty-five minutes. Recent speakers have included Dan Pearson, Alan Titchmarsh and Mike Nelhams, curator of Tresco Abbey Gardens.

Please note we are unable to take advance bookings for lectures, tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis on the evening. We hope you will be able to join us!