Blooming lovely
Raby Castle releases photos of Castle in Bloom installations ahead of official opening this weekend
First look images have been released as Raby Castle prepares to open its new large-scale installation, Castle in Bloom.
Opening on Saturday (May 2), visitors will see the castle and its surrounding visitor buildings transformed with floral displays inspired by the estate’s horticultural past.
On the terrace, newly-sown flowers will introduce colour to the exterior, while inside, visitors will encounter suspended pieces, meadow-style arrangements and floral walk-through spaces.
Alan McKerchar, general manager at Raby Castle, said: “Every department at Raby has played a part in bringing this theme to life. In the past Raby Castle would have been an incredibly productive place with home grown flowers, plants and even tropical fruits!
“Old photographs show us that flowers and plants would have filled the castle in the past and we were all delighted to lean into that history and bring this theme to life.”
The installation continues into the grounds, where planting has been designed to create a clear route for visitors as they move through the site.
Gardens and landscape manager Dickon Harding said: “We also wanted to extend the experience to the exterior of the castle and delight visitors with a sea of colours as soon as you walk through the castle gates. The castle is a very dominating building but the addition of flowers to the terrace will soften the façade and show the historic building in an entirely new light.
“The placement of the seeds and flowers, which have been provided by Boston Seeds, has allowed us to create a visually stunning pathway for visitors to follow after entering through the Neville Gateway and we’ve also left the lawns to the north of the castle to grow, ensuring there is a beautiful and natural environment all around.”
Inside, the displays have been created by a mix of designers, including local floral designer Deborah Simpson Boston and florist Anna Potter of Swallows and Damsons, alongside contributions from other regional suppliers.
Deborah said: “The design for the passageway has been created to welcome guests to the space and draw them into the Castle in Bloom experience.
“A mixture of textures has been incorporated, including soft grasses, wildflowers and dried British flowers, and we’ve purposefully chosen flowers which are warm, fragrant and inviting for an immersive experience down the corridor.”
Running until August 31, Castle in Bloom is included with standard Castle, Park and Gardens admission.