An immersive flower festival running from 15 to 19 September 2026
From 15 to 19 September, Wild! Festival of Flowers & Nature will transform Winchester Cathedral with large-scale floral installations inspired by the natural world. Floral designers, community groups and volunteers will create displays throughout the Cathedral’s historic spaces, inspired by themes of biodiversity, wellbeing, sustainability, climate, creativity and hope.
Explore the blooming marvellous events programme, from inspiring talks to an outdoor Home & Garden Festival. Find out how local businesses are joining forces to support the event. Plus, discover everything you need to know to plan your perfect day out.
This is your guide to Wild! Festival of Flowers and Nature.
Curated by Visit Winchester in collaboration with Winchester Cathedral.
Updated: 27 August 2026.
What's on during Wild!
Flower Demonstration Talk
15 September 2026
Led by the talented Winchester Cathedral Flower Team, join us for an experience that reimagines traditional flower arranging, proving that meaningful, breathtaking displays can be created with nothing more than what nature provides close to home. Tickets £12. Book now.
Hampshire’s Magnificent Meadows Talk
16 September 2026
In this talk by Rachel Remnant, hear about the centuries-old relationship between local communities and their meadows which has created species-rich grasslands by traditional hay making and livestock grazing. Tickets £12. Book now.
Growing and Creating Colour from Plants Talk
17 September 2026
Discover how natural materials can be transformed into dyes, inks and pigments in this fascinating exploration of the colours hidden within plants, with designer Ellie Fisher and natural dyer Claudia Gosse. Tickets £12. Book now.
Lawns are Overrated: Why your Garden wants to be Wild! Talk
18 September 2026
Discussing practical techniques to garden alongside the natural world, Winchester Cathedral’s Head Gardener Patrick Green will lead this thought-provoking talk with plenty of take-home ideas to get biodiversity thriving in your back yard. Tickets £12. Book now.
Afternoon & Cream Teas
15 - 18 September 2026
Coinciding with the festival, Winchester Cathedral Café is serving up delicious Afternoon and Cream Teas as the perfect pit stop. Indulge in a perfectly curated Afternoon Tea, with a selection of sweet and savoury treats. Or enjoy a classic Cream Tea with jam and clotted cream.
Home & Garden Festival
15 - 19 September 2026
Located in the Inner Close, the Home & Garden Festival will see a fantastic array of exhibitors, showcasing plants, flowers, garden accessories, and homewares, specially curated for garden lovers. Entry is free with a Wild! ticket or £2 for the general public.
How local businesses are helping to spread the word
Have you spotted Wild! stickers in the windows of local businesses? Across Winchester city centre, local businesses are getting behind Winchester Cathedral's Wild! Festival of Flowers & Nature, helping to spread the word about one of the city's most colourful events.
More than 20 businesses have already signed up to support the festival by displaying promotional window stickers, sharing leaflets with customers and coming up with creative ideas to drum up interest in their shopfronts. Among those showing their support are Farrow & Ball, The Vine, London Camera Exchange, Accessorize, Toast, Hoxton Bakery, Castle Fine Art, West Collective, Tillius, Kavi in the Square and L’Occitane, with many others considering themed displays in the lead-up to the festival.
The response reflects the strong partnership between Winchester Cathedral and businesses across the city, with many keen to help welcome visitors and celebrate a major cultural event in Winchester’s calendar!
Pick up an exclusive Wild! Souvenir Brochure
Make your festival experience last beyond the day with the official Wild! Souvenir Brochure. Featuring, hand-drawn illustrations and filled with exclusive content, this special keepsake offers a deeper look behind the festival. Celebrating the creativity, inspiration and community that have brought Wild! to life, with behind-the-scenes stories and words from the people who made the festival possible.
The official Wild! Souvenir Brochure is available to pre-order at a special price when you book your festival tickets. By purchasing a souvenir programme, you are supporting both the festival and the ongoing care of Winchester Cathedral.
Things to know before you go
Is Wild! a sustainable festival?
Yes, as part of Winchester Cathedral's ongoing commitment to sustainability, the upcoming festival will embrace a range of eco-conscious practices designed to reduce our environmental impact while still delivering breathtaking floral displays. Find out more.
How do I get there?
Winchester Cathedral is located in the heart of the city and is easily accessible by a range of sustainable travel options. They encourage visitors to consider public transport wherever possible to help reduce congestion in the city centre. Find out more.
How long does the experience take?
When you book, you'll choose a timed ticket slot. This will minimise crowding, giving you room to move around and enjoy the experience. Once you have entered the event, you can walk around at your own pace and enjoy the experience in your own time. It’s recommended to allow 45 minutes to an hour for your visit.
Is the festival family friendly?
Absolutely. This celebration of nature is for all ages to enjoy. Small children may enjoy this as a sensory activity too. Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult at all times during their visit.
