More than 10,000 people are expected to visit Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire as it hosts its first flower festival in 16 years, between 20 and 23 June.
Costing thousands of pounds, the festival took 12 months to prepare and boasts 80 classic and contemporary floral exhibits that depict the seven days of the creation of the world.
The exhibits were designed by East Anglian flower arranger Roger Woolnough, a gold medal winner at both Chelsea and Hampton Court. "The biggest challenge we had to face is the vastness of the space the cathedral offers. We have had to think big in order to have the desired impact," he said.
The centrepiece of the festival is a 112ft (34m) long river along the nave, which Judy Wynn, chair of Ely Cathedral’s flowers guild, said represents “the way of life”.
Ms Wynn said: "The 16-year gap was partly because of the economic situation and it’s quite frightening when you think how much you’ve got to pay out, but then of course you get it back three fold and it gives you so much pleasure."
About 60 coaches of visitors turned up to the first morning of the festival. Marquees in the cathedral grounds are also hosting a craft fair and floral demonstrations.
