More than 11,000 visitors help raise almost £180,000 for Chichester Cathedral
Published 13:55 on 8 Jul 2026
More than 11,000 people visited Chichester Cathedral's Festival of Flowers over four spectacular days in June, helping raise £176,403 to support the preservation of one of Britain's finest medieval cathedrals.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the 2026 Festival welcomed more visitors than ever before as thousands travelled from across the UK to experience the Cathedral transformed by breathtaking floral displays inspired by the theme Nature's Embrace.
Demand for tickets was strong from the outset, with advance sales proving particularly popular as visitors chose to give Festival tickets as gifts for Christmas, Mother's Day and other special occasions, reflecting the event's reputation as one of the South Coast's most prestigious and eagerly anticipated floral celebrations.
Under the creative direction of Lead Designer Caroline Daines, the Festival brought together floral designers, talented newcomers, schools, community groups and hundreds of volunteers, with people of all ages working side by side to create over 60 spectacular displays throughout the Cathedral. Other popular highlights were the VIP Preview Evening, which gave guests a sneak preview of the displays as well as the Festival Market and Plant Market, selling carefully selected plants, gifts, clothing and crafts.
As the flagship fundraiser for the Chichester Cathedral Restoration and Development Trust, the Festival plays a vital role in preserving the Cathedral's historic fabric while supporting its music, education and community programmes.
Director of Fundraising, Alison George commented:
"To welcome more than 11,000 visitors in our 30th anniversary year and to have raised almost £180,000 for Chichester Cathedral is a fantastic achievement. The Festival is only possible because of the dedication, creativity and generosity of so many people, from our floral designers and arrangers to the hundreds of volunteers who give their time so willingly.
It is also wonderful to see so many young people, schools and students getting involved, ensuring the skills, passion and enjoyment of floral design continue to flourish for future generations. Thank you to everyone who visited and supported this year's Festival. Every ticket purchased will help safeguard Chichester Cathedral for generations to come."
Lead Designer, Caroline Daines said:
"After months in the making, I am absolutely delighted to learn how much money the Festival has raised and how many people came to experience the displays. I can't thank the floral designers, arrangers and volunteers enough for bringing my vision for Nature's Embrace to life. It has been an honour to play a part in such a prestigious event, and I will treasure the experience forever."
The Festival's impact extended beyond the Cathedral itself, with businesses across Chichester city centre embracing the celebrations through the first-ever Chichester in Bloom initiative. Shops, cafés, restaurants and other businesses created floral displays of their own, extending the Festival atmosphere throughout the city and giving visitors even more reason to explore.
Natasha McLeod, CEO of Chichester BID commented:
"The Festival of Flowers is a fantastic celebration that attracts thousands of visitors to Chichester, bringing a welcome boost to our city centre businesses. We were delighted with the response to our first ever Chichester in Bloom campaign this year, which complemented the Festival beautifully by showcasing the city at its very best and encouraged people to explore, stay longer and discover everything our shops, cafés and attractions have to offer."
Since its inception in 1996, Chichester Cathedral's Festival of Flowers has raised more than £1.4 million in support of the Cathedral.
Dates for the next Festival of Flowers have been announced as 7-10 June 2028. Tickets will be available soon from - https://www.chichestercathedral.org.uk
