St Martin-in-the-Fields fills its church with flowers for its 300th anniversary, 15 to 17 October. Entry is free; ten demonstrations cost £15 each.

St Martin-in-the-Fields is filling its church on Trafalgar Square with flowers from Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 October, a three-day festival to mark its 300th anniversary. Entry is free, though the church says donations are “strongly encouraged”, and the doors are open from 10am to 5pm.

The church, which describes itself as the oldest building on Trafalgar Square, says the displays are “a celebration of faith, beauty and creation”. Its listing promises “swathes of gorgeous blooms arranged by UK and International designers” under the direction of the festival designer, the author and teacher Judith Blacklock, with “other displays” telling “a little of the richness of St Martin’s community life”.

Tall columns of mixed flowers hanging from chains either side of the chancel at St Martin-in-the-Fields, with more flowers banked along the aisle and around the altar
Flower columns and banked arrangements in the chancel at St Martin-in-the-Fields. Photo: supplied by St Martin-in-the-Fields

The demonstrations, and what they cost

Alongside the displays, the church is running flower-arranging demonstrations in the Gallery in the Crypt. Each session runs for 45 minutes and costs £15, and the church says each demonstrator’s designs “will be auctioned at the end of the demonstration”, so there is a chance to take the flowers home.

The church bills “eleven sessions across three days”; its programme page, checked on 14 October, lists ten:

Thursday 15 October - 11am: Ikebana with Flowers from the English Garden, Diane Norman, a sub Grand Master for the Ohara School of Ikebana and a NAFAS National Teacher - 12.15pm: Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness, Andrew Key, chairman of the NAFAS National Show, an autumn display - 1.30pm: Flowers in a Vase, Judith Blacklock, on where to buy flowers, how to make them last and how to match them to a vase - 2.45pm: Reflexed Flowers, Michal Kowalski and Michael Dariane of Blooming Haus, followed by a mini workshop in which you reflex a flower to take home

Friday 16 October - 11am: Foam-free Trends from around the world, Laura Iarocci, founder of Faith Flowers, on foam-free techniques for church flowers - 12.15pm: Orchid Fest, David Thomson, arrangements using British-grown orchids - 1.30pm: Pip Silverton, an RHS senior judge, on easy-to-grow plants for flower arrangers; the programme lists this as “Going for Gold at Chelsea” and the booking page as “Grow Your Own”

Saturday 17 October - 11am: Flowers to Delight, Michal Kowalski and Michael Dariane of Blooming Haus - 1.30pm: The Poetry of Autumn, Jeremiah O’Neil, senior floral designer at Claridge’s - 2.45pm: Theatrical Flowers, Mig Kimpton, who the church says has been appointed creative director for the Salisbury Cathedral Flower Festival in September 2028

The church’s own descriptions of the demonstrators are generous. Of the Blooming Haus pair it says they “cater to the stars of film and television and are at the top of their game”, and that Michal Kowalski and Michael Dariane “are holders of the world’s only B Corp and Planet Mark Certified Event Florists”. Of Jeremiah O’Neil: “This is a young man to watch.” Of Mig Kimpton, that his demonstration “will reflect his time in this world with his humour, stories and enormous talent working with flowers.”

Close-up of an arrangement of pink and red roses, a king protea, purple clematis, orange spray roses and lisianthus among green leaves
Roses, a king protea and clematis in an arrangement used to promote Flowers-in-the-Fields. Photo: supplied by St Martin-in-the-Fields

The private view

On the Thursday evening there is a ticketed private view at £35. It starts at 5.45pm in the church, where Judith Blacklock “and some of the lead designers will be on hand to discuss their arrangements and their inspirations”, and moves at 6.45pm to the Gallery in the Crypt for drinks and canapés.

What it means for you

  • To see the flowers: turn up between 10am and 5pm on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. It is free; the church asks for a donation.
  • To watch a demonstration: book a £15 seat through the church’s festival page or its box office on 01785 619080. The arrangements are auctioned at the end of each session.
  • Where: St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ. The demonstrations are downstairs in the Gallery in the Crypt.

For everything else on in the borough this month, see what’s on in Westminster.