Bloom!

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor
Bloom!
Bloom!

Bloom! is a festival of horticulture which was launched as a way of celebrating 250 years of the Ancient Society of York Florists. Happily, it’s now an annual event focusing on floral displays and beautiful hidden gems in York that caters to both the green-fingered and those green behind the ears.

You can expect at least a week of pop-up gardens, floral displays and everything flower-related

As befits York’s reputation as one of the North’s most picturesque cities, Bloom! sees the entire area bursting with colour. The festival itself varies each year, but you can expect at least a week of pop-up gardens, floral displays and everything flower-related. The entire programme takes in more than just pretty arrangements, however, you can also participate in workshops and community initiatives, not to mention a mixture of one-off small-scale events and larger, more ambitious installations. This includes talks, trails and guided tours and window-dressing all over the city.

Of course, this all goes back to the impressive fact that York’s Ancient Society of York Florists is the oldest floristry society in the world. Back in 2018, they marked their 250th anniversary with this celebration of floristry in locations throughout the city, which proved an instant hit with locals and visitors, meaning it has become a welcome recurring attraction.

Bloom! sees the entire area bursting with colour, with rare flowers from all over the world, artfully arranged into charming displays

While making York look prettier than ever, Bloom! is a particular treat for those creatively-minded folk who are interested in gardening and botany. Rare flowers from all over the world, artfully arranged into charming displays, will be on display in the Minster and at other key locations. Prepare to see York looking its best and taking its rightful place on the horticultural map.

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What's on near Bloom!

Until
ExhibitionsYork
Bloom at York Art Gallery

York Art Gallery is displaying an exhibition focused on the artistic inspiration of flowers, bringing together more than 100 botanical artworks from its collection.

from £8.00
FestivalsYork
York Unlocked 2023

York’s most unique festival! The doors to around 70 buildings will be thrown open free of charge for this two day celebration of heritage.

free entry
TheatreLeeds
I, Daniel Blake at Leeds Playhouse

I, Daniel Blake is one of the most important stories of a generation. Transporting its poignant message to the stage, watch a spectacular theatrical adaptation by Dave Johns in Leeds.

from £15.00

Where to go near Bloom!

Guild of Media Arts
York
Guild of Media Arts

The Guild of Media Arts was formed in 2015 as the lifelong custodian of York’s designation as a UNESCO City of Media Arts. Thy run socials, network events and workshops.

York Theatre Royal
York
Theatre
York Theatre Royal

York Theatre Royal has been producing great drama in the beautiful city of York for over 270 years and is one of the country’s leading producing theatres. Each year the theatre entertains over 200,000 people with its wide variety of performances, events and activities including the much loved annual pantomime starring Berwick Kaler, the UK’s longest-running Dame.

House of the Trembling Madness
York
Shop
House of the Trembling Madness

Famed for its unbelievably small kitchen, impressively huge collection of beers, & its rich and varied history, the medieval ale house is also associated with its quirky taxidermy animal collection.

York
Restaurant
Sotano

Sotano, in York, is a divine Mediterranean tapas bar and restaurant, also serving charcuterie boards of the finest ingredients.

York
Bar or Pub
Evil Eye

Evil Eye in York is a cocktail bar focused on embracing the spiritual, and engaging with the community.

Bettys York
York
Café or Coffee Shop
Bettys York

This traditional Yorkshire tea room has beautiful interiors inspired by the Queen Mary ocean liner and it’s been making a splash since 1936.

Guy Fawkes Inn
York
Hotel
Guy Fawkes Inn

Guy Fawkes Inn was built on the very spot where the notorious plotter was born, so it’s perfect for anyone who loves an Inn filled with historical character. It has a bar serving real ales, a 1 AA rosette restaurant and thirteen beautiful, individually furnished bedrooms.

York Art Gallery
York
Gallery
York Art Gallery

York Art Gallery holds seven magnificent, newly-designed galleries that display world-class collections of historic and contemporary art.

Lamb & Lion Inn
York
Hotel
The Fat Badger York

The Fat Badger York (formerly known as the Lamb & Lion Inn) is a 4 star AA rated Inn rich in old English character. It’s grafted into the city centre walls, not far from York Minster.

The Antiques Centre in York
York
Shop
The Antiques Centre in York

Treasure trove of antiques sourced from all over the UK held in this listed Georgian townhouse. With five showrooms spread over three floors and over one hundred dealers from all over the country, The Antiques Centre York stocks a hugely diverse range of antiques and vintage, catering for all tastes and covering many periods from Ancient Rome to Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco through to contemporary.

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