We will be holding a spectacular Flower Festival this summer to commemorate the 800th anniversary of St Hugh and celebrate some of Lincolnshire’s notable figures who have made a significant impact on the region and beyond.
The festival is being organised by our voluntary flower team who are working with specially invited quests, local designers and flower clubs to transform the Cathedral with more than 130 elaborate floral arrangements.
Each of the displays will tie in with the festival’s theme of ‘Vision’ which pays tribute to one of the most important people in Lincoln Cathedral’s history, St Hugh, who organised the rebuild of the landmark following an earthquake in 1185 and was later canonised as a saint in 1220, 800 years ago this year.
2020 is also The Association of English Cathedrals’ ‘Year of Cathedrals, Year of Pilgrimage’, with major celebrations taking place at cathedrals across the country. Lincoln Cathedral, which continues to be regarded as one of the most important landmarks in the UK, has stood over the City of Lincoln for more than 900 years, with building works commencing in 1072.
The event will also recognise many more visionary individuals who have influenced and changed poetry, the arts, theatre, film and fashion.
The festival will be held from 30 July to 3 August, with a special preview evening taking place on Wednesday 29 July, where visitors can enjoy drinks and canapés whilst getting the exclusive opportunity to see the beautiful blooms on display before the event open to the public.
As well as the flower arrangements, the festival will include plants, crafts and food stalls in and around the Cathedral for visitors to enjoy.
Visitors are also invited to a ‘Musical Meander’ on Friday 31 July which will include a musical concert and tour around the Cathedral for guests to take in the colourful arrangements and learn about the themes behind them.
Lead organiser and head of Lincoln Cathedral’s flower team, Jennie Whitton, said: “In the momentous year of 2020 there are many things to reflect upon and celebrate as we move forward into a new decade.
“The canonisation of St Hugh took place 800 years ago and it seems only right that we should recognise this event in many special ways throughout the year what better way to do this than to have a Flower Festival – an affirmation of the beauty of creation.
“We’re very excited to reveal further details about the displays which will cover the arts, film, fashion, history, world exploration and more; there will be something for everyone, from the Pilgrim Fathers journey to the New World, to the moon landing and even Harry Potter – it will truly be a spectacle to behold.”
Acting Dean, the Venerable Mark Steadman, said: “This beautiful exhibition of thousands of flowers infused into the awe-inspiring Gothic architecture of the Cathedral, will witness to the wonder of God’s creation and the creative gifts and vision that God gives each of us.
We look forward to welcoming visitors from both near and far to the Cathedral for this year’s flower festival, where we are sure they will discover a joy for all the senses and get to experience the wonder of this fantastic building in a unique way.”
Tickets to the festival are now available to purchase: entry is £12.50 for adults and £10 for concessions (under 16s free). There is also a festival pass allowing visitors to return to the Flower Festival on each day of the event, which costs £40. Tickets to the preview evening on Wednesday 29 July will be £25 which includes drinks and canapés, and entry to the Musical Meander on Friday 31 July will be £30.
To book your tickets, please visit our Forthcoming Events page
