Festival of Hope Wishing Tree

What are you wishing for this summer?

Over the last few weeks, BBC Local radio listeners around the UK have submitted their hopes, ideals and dreams for the future. Their uplifting messages will be shared on colourful ribbons on wishing trees at eight amazing London venues as part of the Festival of Hope.

Find our wishing tree next to the Sunken Gardens seated terrace.

As well as at the Horniman can be seen at Battersea Power Station, Greenwich Peninsula, Kensington Palace, Marble Hill House, Strawberry Hill House, WWT London Wetland Centre and Windsor town centre.

The idea behind this initiative is based on a tradition in Japan called Tanabata. One of the Tanabata customs is to write one’s wishes on a piece of paper and hang that piece of paper on a specially erected bamboo tree, in the hope that the wishes become true.

A similar wishing tree can be seen in the World Gallery – the cloutie tree – where you can add your own hopes and wishes.