Harewood House is set to unveil Harewood in Bloom this May Bank Holiday, a vibrant new event celebrating the beauty and seasonality of one of Yorkshire’s most historic gardens. From 2 to 4 May 2026, the 140-acre estate will showcase 40,000 spring bulbs, marking one of the largest single plantings at Harewood for a century.
The event, delivered in partnership with award-winning florist Leafy Couture, features floral installations that transform the State Floor of the house into a celebration of spring. Highlights include handcrafted paper flower displays and seven arrangements in the Gallery, each designed by a different award-winning florist. Outside, visitors can witness the rare flowering of the Davidia involucrata, also known as the pocket handkerchief tree, which draws botanical enthusiasts for its brief early May bloom.
The grounds will feature sweeping new displays of camassias and alliums alongside wild garlic, bluebells, and heritage apple blossoms in the Walled Garden. Creative workshops led by Leafy Couture and artists including Lola Design will offer hands-on experiences in floral arranging and botanical painting, while younger visitors can enjoy flower crown making and seed planting with the Harewood gardening team.
Trevor Nicholson said: “Our first ever Harewood in Bloom will amplify what makes the Gardens extraordinary. In early May, from the glory of the Terrace to the tranquillity of the Lakeside and the Walled Garden, there are so many floral delights to discover. Much of what visitors will see can’t be planned weeks in advance. From the pocket handkerchief tree, to the bluebells, the cobra lilies and the wild garlic, they are all seasonal, making the bank holiday weekend an unmissable opportunity to discover what makes the Gardens so special.”
Zoë Hughes said: “We are delighted to be launching Harewood in Bloom this May bank holiday. May is one of the most exciting times to experience them, as the landscape bursts into colour and fragrance. Harewood in Bloom brings this to life through workshops, trails, interactive experiences and artistic displays, designed to inspire creativity and spark a sense of joy for all ages.”
