“When I first entered the world of floristry in 2006, rose domes were all the rage,” reminisces Leigh Chappell, as we make our way towards the stunning white crenellated walls of Strawberry Hill House. Situated in Twickenham, south-west London, this Georgian Gothic Revival masterpiece was brought to life in the mid-18th century and was once the residence of Horace Walpole, the youngest son of Britain’s inaugural prime minister. Today, the house hosts the annual Strawberry Hill Flower Festival.
Meticulously restored according to Walpole’s original instructions over several years in the 2000s, Strawberry Hill House is an extraordinary venue for any occasion. Its rooms are bathed in vibrant hues from the stained glass windows, and its walls are adorned with intricate trompe l’oeil designs, flocked wallpaper, or bold and vivid paint choices.
In its five years of existence, the festival, curated by Chappell (a botanical illustrator turned florist) and floral photographer Janne Ford, has showcased the tremendous progress of contemporary floristry. Every year, organizers and exhibitors transform Walpole’s “little Gothic castle,” filling its rooms with adorned bracken, cascading flowers and berries gathered from nearby hedgerows and gardens, or exuberant displays of British-grown dahlias.
Last year, Fiona Haser Bizony created an installation of oak branches inhabited by miniature squirrels made from corn and straw, which stretched all the way up the beautifully crafted staircase. This whimsical creation was inspired by tales of Walpole feeding his pet squirrel at the breakfast table. “I imagined these playful, energetic creatures, who are always climbing upwards through the trees, in search of acorns,” she explains.
Despite their differences, each exhibit at the festival shares a common thread: the use of sustainably produced, British-grown flowers. Appropriately, the Strawberry Hill Flower Festival came about organically after the Lost Treasures exhibition held here in 2018. In a remarkable act of artistic detective work, curators Michael Snodin and Silvia Davoli temporarily reassembled over 150 objects from Walpole’s collection, which had been scattered far and wide since a grand auction in 1842 that lasted an astonishing 28 days. Chappell designed the floral arrangements for the opening night, using only organically grown British flowers and avoiding the use of plastics or unsustainable floral foam, especially since the event was to be attended by David Attenborough.
Following the success of the exhibition, Chappell and Claire Leighton (the house’s community development manager) discussed ideas for future events that could draw visitors (and revenue) to Strawberry Hill House. This is how the concept of a festival centered around British flowers and sustainability was born. They enlisted the help of Flowers from the Farm, a not-for-profit organization that supports independent ethical growers.
Luxury in the world of floristry is no longer defined by a thousand roses; it increasingly refers to meticulously planted and nurtured flowers with captivating scents and unique characteristics. Each year, over 30 growers and florists participate in the festival, motivated more by the festival’s message than the modest £100 stipend. Installations are created using materials such as cardboard or chicken wire, ranging from experimental compositions to idyllic rural scenes. At the end of the event, the only waste produced is a striking mound of compost.
According to the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra), homegrown flowers accounted for 40% of the flowers consumed in Britain in 1988. Today, that number has dwindled to 14%. “Supermarkets have affected our perception of flowers,” notes Ford. “We need to change people’s perception, not just about the cost. Mass-produced flowers are much less appealing to work with. They lack interesting shapes, stem energy, surprises, and the true essence of nature.”
Consumer demand, as much as the florist’s influence, will be the driving force behind this change. “Luxury doesn’t have to be defined by a thousand roses,” adds Ford. “Nowadays, it refers to something that has been grown from seed and carefully nurtured, boasting a mesmerizing fragrance and a distinctive character.”
The flower industry is now influenced by ethical considerations. Brides and event planners increasingly request organically grown flowers and natural-looking arrangements. Debbie Scott, a flower grower in East Lothian, Scotland, and co-chair of Flowers from the Farm, tends to a one-acre field located on the grounds of the old kitchen garden at the Lennoxlove estate near Haddington. “This morning, I picked roses and California poppies for a wedding. I’m seeing more and more DIY weddings where the couple chooses a flower palette, and then they arrange the flowers themselves.”
Meanwhile, at Strawberry Hill House, Chappell moves from room to room, discussing the upcoming festival. “Gaia Eros will create a driftwood arch in this room,” she says as we step into a gilded gallery with a marquetry floor. “Henck Röling, the renowned florist famous for his work with orchids at Kew, will create a show-stopping installation in this room,” she adds, pointing to a space adorned with Holbein portraits (copies, of course).
Victoria Gaiger, a florist who also embraces avant-garde artistry, is tasked with transforming the Beauclerc Closet, an immaculately designed hexagonal room where the blue and silver flocked wallpaper glistens in the midday light.
However, there are limitations in this delicate environment. Five rooms can only feature dried flower arrangements, as fresh blooms can alter humidity levels, potentially damaging the artworks and artifacts. For the same reason, every item brought into the house must be inspected for bugs and pests. “It’s not an easy exhibition to put together,” admits Chappell. However, the effort is undoubtedly worth it. “I was fixing a leaky bucket in the house during one festival,” she recalls, “and I overheard a visitor saying that they had never imagined flowers could be this diverse and beautiful.”
The Strawberry Hill Flower Festival will take place from September 22 to 24. For more information, visit the festival’s website at strawberryhillhouse.org.uk. Be sure to follow @FTProperty on X or @ft_houseandhome on Instagram to stay updated on our latest stories.
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