As Chichester Cathedral’s Festival of Flowers 2026 approaches, this landmark 30th anniversary year promises not only breathtaking floral installations, but a celebration of emerging talent, shared creativity and ideas passed from one generation to the next.
Guided by the 2026 theme Nature’s Embrace, the Festival explores humanity’s enduring relationship with the natural world – highlighting wellbeing, sustainability and the joy of working with living materials. This year, the theme also provides a natural framework for encouraging and inspiring the next generation of designers and horticultural creatives.
From concept to creation
Students from Plumpton College will once again play a central role in the Festival, gaining hands-on experience within one of the South’s most visually ambitious cultural events. Students from Plumpton’s floristry course will take on the challenge of creating large scale floral installations for the Cloisters and Nave, including a hanging cloud display that depicts the four seasons.
Their involvement goes far beyond arranging flowers. Students will work through the entire creative process – developing design ideas, selecting flowers and planning installations within the Cathedral’s historic spaces.
This marks the fourth year Plumpton students have participated in the Festival, offering a rare opportunity to experience the scale, collaboration and creative ambition involved in delivering a major public event.
“Opportunities like this are invaluable,” Areta Richards, Floristry Lecturer at Plumpton College remarks. “Our students are developing far more than floristry skills; they are problem-solving, collaborating, managing budgets and responding to an extraordinary architectural space. To do that within Chichester Cathedral is something they will carry throughout their careers.”
Young imaginations at work
Alongside students preparing for careers in floristry and horticulture, younger pupils are also being invited to play a part.
Pupils from Graffham Forest School will create an installation in the South Transept titled The Oak Tree – Creating Memories in Nature. A stylised oak tree will be surrounded by meadow flowers and familiar objects from outdoor play, such as a kite, swing and picnic blanket – reflecting the joy of time spent in nature.
Meanwhile, children from Goodwood Area Schools in Chichester will help create one of the Festival’s central installations at the Arundel Screen. Working alongside lead Festival designer Caroline Daines and Creative Learning Manager Rosie Bradberry, Key Stage 2 pupils aged 7–11 will explore the theme Nature’s Embrace, each creating their own floral arrangement before contributing to a larger artwork.
For Caroline Daines, this focus has been central to the planning of the event.
“Nature’s Embrace is a theme that naturally lends itself to inclusivity and growth,” she says. “From the beginning it felt important that the Festival should involve the next generation – from students and schoolchildren to emerging designers and experienced florists. Bringing together different ages and creative voices within the Cathedral has been incredibly energising.”
Caroline Daines
Championing this vision is Guy Watts of Architectural Plants, supporter of Chichester’s Festival of Flowers 2026.
“There are so many proven benefits of working with plants and natural materials, particularly for young people,” he says. “It builds patience, confidence and creativity, and offers a form of learning that is physical and deeply rewarding. Events like the Festival provide a rare platform where emerging talent can gain experience, visibility and inspiration.”
Guy Watts of Architectural Plants
From student to exhibitor
The lasting impact of this approach can already be seen in the story of Nancy Hersey, a former Plumpton College student who first encountered the Festival in 2024 during her studies and now returns as an arranger in her own right.
“Nancy’s involvement this year is genuinely exciting,” says Caroline. “To see someone progress from student contributor to independent designer within such a short time is exactly the kind of creative journey the Festival hopes to encourage.”
Nancy’s installation – a sustainable living dress – reflects a new wave of contemporary floristry, combining striking visual design with a thoughtful approach to sustainability.
“Being involved in the Festival of Flowers through Plumpton was an incredible experience. Working on the Festival in 2024 gave me a real insight into what it’s like to create large-scale floral installations and event designs, which is something you don’t often get the chance to experience as a student. It really sparked my interest in event floristry and gave me the confidence to develop my own ideas, so it’s exciting to be returning this year to create my own installation. Opportunities like this are so valuable for students starting out in the industry.”
Nancy Hersey
As the Festival of Flowers marks its 30th anniversary, the 2026 event offers a vivid portrait of an artform that continues to evolve – celebrating not only floral artistry, but the people and pathways shaping its future.
Chichester’s Festival of Flowers takes place on 3-6 June 2026 and tickets can be purchased below: