More than 100 flower arrangers gathered at Salisbury Cathedral last Saturday to launch Flower Festival: The Spirit Of Water.

The Festival, which is being designed by Michael Bowyer MBE, Salisbury Cathedral’s Creative Director of Flowers, and floral designer Debbie Wadge, will take place from May 13 to 18, 2025.

Mr Bower said: “It is wonderful to be planning next year’s Flower Festival. Churches and flower clubs from across the diocese and region have been invited to participate and it was exciting to share our ideas with them at this weekend’s launch”.

From the title The Spirit Of Water, many blooms will be portraying water in its many forms with more than 30,000 flowers.

(Image: Spencer Mulholland)

More than 15,000 people, travelling from across the UK, will be in attendance for the festival, certifying the event as a highlight in the south.

The blooms will display water representing ‘a world without water’ and semi-dry locations, to a journey along a ‘river of flowers’ and even an ‘ice’ display. A display depicting the seabed will include hundreds of fish made by local community groups.

The church walkway, there will be an installation of woven willow ‘raindrops’, providing a spectacular canopy down the length of the Cathedral, while at the high altar, a huge ‘wave’ of woven cane will provide a focal point for visitors.

Both these works will be created by a team led by Somerset-based florist, designer and willow weaving teacher, Nicky Heal.

Susan Branch, Salisbury Cathedral’s Flower Administrator, said: “Preparing for the Flower Festival is a huge undertaking, involving hundreds of volunteers and the team at the Cathedral. It is exciting to begin this work for next year and we are looking forward to sharing our plans with everyone.”

Tickets for Flower Festival: The Spirit of Water are available to purchase now via the Cathedral’s website, with adult tickets at £17, groups of 10 or more at £15 and young people under 18 at £7.