VISITORS to Castle Howard will see its ornate interiors transformed for this week's Flower Festival.

Taking inspiration from the surroundings, floral arrangements are being created by in-house florist, Kymm Queen, and local flower clubs to reflect the eclectic array of artwork that has been collected by succeeding generations of the Howard family.

In the Crimson Dining Room, displays which were on show during a private visit of the Queen Mother to Castle Howard in the 1980s will be recreated by Kymm’s mum, Carol Foster, who was house florist at the time.

Carol will return to Castle Howard to help her daughter create arrangements in the house for the first time since her retirement.

Other highlights include a Venetian balcony in the Great Hall, a poppy field in the Garden Hall to complement the ‘Duty Calls: Castle Howard in Time of War’ exhibition and a Market Street in the Long Gallery with an array of plant and garden stalls.

Katie Pryor, Events Manager said: ‘Each of the rooms in the house will showcase different arrangements which are inspired by Castle Howard’s lavish interiors.

"The grounds and gardens are stunning at any time of year and will be a riot of colour with early blossom and late spring bulbs. We hope visitors will be inspired by the displays and will want to recreate something equally stunning at home, although perhaps on a smaller scale!’

Spread throughout the house, from the Grand Staircase and China Landing to the newly lit Chapel, the contributing flower clubs will create a variety of displays and arrangements working alongside Castle Howard’s florist and gardens team.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy floral demonstrations and guided garden tours, which will take in the early blooms in the 18th Century Walled Garden as well as the bluebells, rhododendron and magnolias in Ray Wood.

The Flower Festival takes place on Thursday, 15 and Friday, May 16 and is included in a House & Grounds admission ticket. Grounds and Stable Courtyard open from 10am, House open from 11am.

For more information or to book your tickets online, visit the Castle Howard website www.castlehoward.co.uk