I can’t believe I have never visited Leeds Castle Festival of Flowers before! Have you been?
The incredible floral displays inside the Castle are all designed around the theme of ‘Ladies Day’ this year. With vibrant arrangements inspired by suffragettes, the Far East, old movies and more. I didn’t photograph all the displays as it was so exciting following the trail all around the castle that I don’t want to spoil the wow moments if you decide to visit this week (it runs until the 20th of September).
I was also very happy to see all the graceful black and white swans swimming around the cool waters of the castle moat.
Philip Hammond’s arch of scented Meijer Roses was heavenly to walk under and in all the most delicate shades of pale pink, white and light green.
The trail of flower displays by award-winning florists and designers from the UK and all over the world. It weaves all around the ground and first floors of the castle, through all the rooms and the backdrop of historical interiors is really something.
Every windowsill and alcove is adorned in a heady mix of colours and textures, urns, baths, ponds and pillars all draped in blooms and foliage.
This room was breathtaking, dramatically lit and every inch filled with an incredible array of flowers, it was set up for an intimate dinner in a leafy paradise.
The fountains and wishing pools were decorated with bright gladioli, hydrangeas, lilies and exotic leaves.
The banqueting hall has become a fairy-tale forest with a sea of peach roses, twisted willow and glass baubles glinting in the setting sun, designed by Netherlands based Dennis Kneepkens.
My favourite was this waterfall of hops, crabapples, roses, hydrangeas, jasmine and ammi created by the Louise Roots and the Leeds Castle floristry team. Lush and green with pinks, peaches and warm tones, the hops smelled amazing and the light shining in through the windows caught all the flowers in a magical way.
The inspiration is not only confined to indoors, the lawns and courtyards are also alive with floral installations. This hand-felted chair and its carpet of succulents, rosettes and blooms kept me coming back to take more photos, it was so dreamy.
As the night drew to an end, the sun exchanged places with the moon and all the lanterns in the courtyard started to glow, the roses blushed under the moonlight and the Gaura Lindheimeri (above) danced like fairies all around the battlements.
