A House Full of Flowers: Harewood in Bloom Lands This May

Picture this: a historic estate completely bursting with colour, with flowers not just in the gardens but taking over the grand rooms of the house itself. That’s exactly what’s happening at Harewood House over the early May bank holiday. From the 2nd to the 4th of May 2026, a brand-new event called Harewood in Bloom is set to transform the entire place. It’s a massive celebration of flowers, art, and nature, with over 140 acres of grounds and gardens coming to life. And it’s not just about looking at pretty things; there are loads of hands-on activities, trails, and workshops for everyone to get stuck into. This whole event is a collaboration with the award-winning florist Leafy Couture, promising a weekend filled with creativity and beauty.

When the gardens take over the house

Usually, the gardens stay outside, right? Well, not during this event. Inside the stunning stately house, incredible floral installations are turning the State Floor into a spring wonderland. The idea is to bring the vibrant life of the gardens indoors, and the displays are inspired by the art and furniture already in Harewood. It's a chance to see the historic rooms in a totally new light, full of fresh scents and colours. The team from Leafy Couture, who are famous for their amazing flower designs, have created some seriously impressive displays, especially in the Entrance Hall. They’ve even created a floral masterpiece around the famous sculpture, Adam, by Jacob Epstein. But it’s not just the pros who have been involved. Local community groups and volunteers have been busy making unique handcrafted paper flower installations, so there’s a real sense of community creativity in the air. The Gallery will also showcase seven breath-taking arrangements, each designed by a different award-winning florist. These floral installations are designed to bring joy and offer some amazing photo opportunities.

A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it show outside

The thing about spring flowers is that they don’t hang around for long. The Head Gardener at Harewood, Trevor Nicholson, pointed out that much of what people will see can’t be planned too far ahead because the flowers decide when they’re ready. He said, “Much of what visitors will see can’t be planned weeks in advance… for many flowers, the bank holiday weekend is a fleeting window.” This makes the event extra special. Visitors will see things that are only visible for a few days a year. One of the stars of the show is the ‘pocket handkerchief tree’, whose white flowers look just like handkerchiefs fluttering in the wind. Then there's the famous Himalayan blue poppy, a must-see for any garden lover. The gardening team has been hard at work planting a staggering 40,000 new bulbs – one of the biggest plantings at Harewood in a century. This will turn parts of the landscape into a sea of colour with camassias and alliums. The historic gardens, designed by legends like ‘Capability’ Brown, provide the perfect backdrop. There are also carpets of bluebells and wild garlic, plus blossom in the orchard. Following the garden trails is one of the best ways to discover all this natural beauty.

Trevor Nicholson also shared his excitement about the new events. “Our first ever Harewood in Bloom will amplify what makes the Gardens extraordinary. In early May, from the glory of the Terrace to the tranquility of the Lakeside and the Walled Garden, there are so many floral delights to discover. A combination of rare exotics with classic flowers of the English countryside is what makes Harewood so beautiful in early May.”

Get your hands dirty (in a good way)

It’s not just about walking around and admiring the view. Harewood in Bloom is packed with workshops and activities designed to unleash everyone’s inner artist. The team from Leafy Couture are running sessions where people can learn how to create their own beautiful floral bouquets and vase displays. Imagine going home with a stunning bunch of flowers you arranged yourself! There are also lots of other creative workshops led by professional artists. For example, people can try botanical painting with Nay Bellamy or learn to make delicate paper poppies with Lola Design. For the younger artists, Davinder Madaher is hosting ‘The Joy of Painting’ sessions, a fantastic opportunity for children to experiment with colour and pattern. These hands-on workshops are all about having fun and learning a new skill in a gorgeous setting. There’s a real focus on creativity throughout the weekend, with events happening from the 2nd to the 4th of May. Plus, visitors can see the work of artist Charlotte Verity in her exhibition, ‘The Season Following’, which captures the quiet beauty of nature through stunning paintings of plants and flowers.

Fun for the little gardeners

The May bank holiday event has been designed with families in mind, so there’s plenty to keep children entertained. One of the top activities is the ‘Little Gardeners’ workshop. Here, kids can get their hands properly muddy with help from Harewood’s own gardening team. They’ll get to decorate their own pot and plant a seed to take home and watch grow – a perfect souvenir. There are also fun trails to follow, like the ‘Harewood’s Top 10 Blooms Trail,’ which is a great way for children to explore the huge landscape and spot some of the most spectacular flowers, from the bright rhododendrons to the special blue poppy. And if that’s not enough creativity, there are drop-in sessions to make and colour in paper flower crowns, inspired by the big floral installations inside the house. All these activities are designed to be fun, engaging, and give kids a real connection to the nature around them, making it a weekend of pure joy.

What’s on and when

With so many different events and activities happening, here’s a quick guide to some of the highlights scheduled for the weekend of 2 – 4 May 2026.

• Charlotte Verity: The Season Following: Runs all weekend on the State Floor. Free with entry.

• The Story Behind the Blue Poppy: A short talk daily at 2 pm near the Himalayan Garden. Free with entry.

• Floral Demonstrations: Daily at 11 am in The Old Kitchen with Leafy Couture. Free with entry.

• Harewood’s ‘Top Ten’ Flower Trail: Available all day, every day. Free with entry.

• Paper Flower Crowns & Little Gardeners: Drop-in activities for children all weekend. Free with entry.

• Vibrant Vase Displays Workshop: Saturday 2 May, 1-3 pm. A hands-on session to learn how to make amazing bouquets. Booking required.

• Botanical Painting Workshop: Sunday 3 May, 10.30 am-1.30 pm. Learn painting techniques with talented artists. Booking required.

• Blossoming Bouquets Workshop: Sunday 3 May, 1-3 pm. Another chance to create lovely bouquets. Booking required.

• A Garden Stroll with Harewood’s Head Gardener: Sunday 3 May, 12.30-1.20 pm. A special tour with Trevor Nicholson himself. Booking required.

• The Joy of Painting Workshop: Monday 4 May, 1.30-3 pm. A fun painting session for kids with Davinder Madaher. Booking required.