Hi Everyone, my name is Rachel Kennedy, a floral event designer and co-founder of Acacia Creative Studio, a company that creates unforgettable floral experiences that reflect nature and elevate every occasion.
The latest project my colleague and friend Xue Wang and I are involved in is going to be really big! It's a British flower festival that we have named 'Rooted in History'. It's going to be a floral design festival held at the historic Hodsock Priory, right in the heart of the UK, 45 km from Sheffield.
Here's everything you need to know to get you excited, I hope!
Rooted in History, Blooming in Design
Rooted in History is a collective of award-winning floral designers presenting immersive festivals in historic houses across the country. Each event is a unique fusion of floral design and heritage, transforming iconic spaces with breathtaking botanical installations.
The festivals celebrate the finest in floral artistry – seasonal, imaginative, and deeply rooted in place – inviting visitors to experience history, architecture, and nature through a fresh, creative lens.
All About the Venue – Hodsock Priory
Set within the stunning historic grounds of Hodsock Priory, this festival is a contemporary dialogue between the past and present. RHS award-winning floral designers collaborate to create a living story, where each installation draws inspiration from the Priory’s timeless architecture, landscaped gardens, and centuries-old heritage.
Visitors will journey through a sequence of sculptural floral designs that echo the Priory’s layers of history – from the grandeur of its stately rooms to the rustic charm of its gardens. The festival brings to life the natural beauty and artistic spirit embedded in this remarkable estate.
Rather than separate displays, the festival is designed as a movement of installations – each space flowing into the next, guiding guests through an unfolding narrative. Every piece responds to its environment and to the works around it, creating a seamless journey from one chapter to the
next.
There will be numerous designs in six different rooms, each one with its own ambiance.
The Gatehouse
The Main Gatehouse, standing 5 m tall, has long served as the formal entrance to Hodsock, marking the threshold between the outside world and the estate’s curated landscape.
Our sculptural autumnal installation responds to this historic role, transforming the archway into a moment of welcome and wonder. Drawing on the natural world, the design celebrates the rich textures and colors of the season – an homage to Hodsock’s enduring tradition of seasonal display and horticultural artistry.
By creating a layered, immersive structure at this iconic entrance, the installation not only honors the estate’s heritage but also frames the visitor’s first encounter with the festival as one of beauty, scale, and storytelling.
The Main Staircase
The staircase installation at Hodsock Priory is conceived as a symbolic passage through time, reflecting the house’s layered history and its role as a place of movement, transition, and gathering.
Historically, staircases marked the shift between public and private worlds, quietly witnessing generations of daily life. This sculptural form flows upward and downward through the space, suggesting ascent, descent, and continual transformation, as if the structure itself is breathing with memory. Rather than referencing a single moment in Hodsock’s past, the piece captures the atmosphere of what remains – traces of history, ritual, and quiet grandeur.
Metal mesh forms the backbone of the installation, representing the Priory's enduring architectural framework and the passage of time itself. Finished in soft tones of gold, silver, and bronze, the mesh reflects accumulated luxury and legacy rather than excess, with each metallic layer hinting at different generations and eras. Delicate florals are woven through the structure as a counterpoint – ephemeral, fragile, and seasonal – referencing both Hodsock’s gardens and the fleeting nature of the flower festival.
Together, the materials create a dialogue between permanence and impermanence, structure and softness, allowing the staircase to become a moment of reflection where history, beauty, and movement briefly converge.
The Snowdrop Room
The former Hodsock Snowdrop Festival holds a special place in the memory of Hodsock, remembered for the breathtaking sight of snowdrops carpeting the estate’s woodland and signalling the quiet arrival of spring.
For many visitors, the festival was not just a garden event but a deeply atmospheric experience – a moment of calm, renewal, and connection with the landscape that lingered long after the visit ended.
The Snowdrop Suite has been designed as a living tribute to those memories, translating the spirit of the festival into an interior space. Using white Alstroemerias to echo the gentle luminosity of snowdrops, the room will evoke the feeling of stepping into a woodland setting, with a rustic, natural aesthetic that reflects the character of Hodsock’s grounds.
For sponsors, such as Miss Alstroemeria in this room, this space offers a meaningful opportunity to be associated with heritage, memory, and seasonal storytelling – supporting a floral installation that honours the past while creating a timeless, immersive experience for today’s visitors.
The Back Staircase
The back staircase at Hodsock Priory was never intended as a statement space, but as a functional route – a quieter passage connecting the working areas of the house to its private bedrooms. It would have been used daily, away from ceremony, carrying the rhythms of household life: footsteps at dawn, movement between seasons, and the unseen labour that sustained the house.
This installation responds to that history by embracing a wilder, more natural floral language. A flowing cascade of foliage and florals drops from the bannisters, as if nature itself has slowly reclaimed the route over time. Rich greenery, layered textures, and an untamed form reflect the estate’s surrounding landscape, suggesting that the woodland is gently encroaching back into the house.
The design celebrates the everyday rather than the grand – honouring the quiet routes, repeated journeys and human presence that shaped Hodsock just as deeply as its formal spaces.
The Ante-Chamber
The ante-chamber, as a transitional space, serves as a brief pause between the exterior and the rooms beyond.
In this intimate setting, the oversized bouquet becomes a moment of reflection and visual delight, offering visitors a striking encounter before they continue on their journey. Its height and presence command attention without overwhelming the space, while the layered peach, purple, and autumnal tones provide a sense of depth and richness.
The arrangement transforms the act of passing through into a small, immersive experience – turning a simple corridor into a pause for beauty and contemplation.
The Library
Our floral installation for the Hodsock Library draws directly on the spirit of the room as a place of knowledge and discovery. The upright floral disc, woven with layered blooms, sits behind two half-circles, evoking the shape of an open book and the sense of a door swung wide – inviting visitors into a world of ideas.
Rich tones and varied textures mirror the depth and detail of the library’s collection, with each flower and element offering its own story, much like the volumes on the shelves.
In this way, the design becomes a living reflection of open knowledge: a tactile, immersive bouquet that celebrates exploration, curiosity, and the beauty found in the details.
Our Team
The Rooted in Florals creative team is a collective of highly respected and award-winning floral designers, each bringing distinct expertise, creative vision, and professional depth to the festival. United by a shared passion for floral artistry and experiential design, our team blends technical mastery with storytelling, sustainability, and boundary-pushing aesthetics.
Acacia Creative Studio (Rachel Kennedy & Xue Wang): An internationally recognized floral design studio with multiple RHS Chelsea Flower Show medals, Acacia is known for its bold, contemporary approach and exceptional technical precision. The studio has designed for prestigious floral competitions and major floral shows around the world, bringing a global perspective and high-profile experience to the festival. Drawing inspiration from fashion, interiors, and conceptual storytelling, Acacia’s work consistently pushes creative boundaries while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainable practices.
Jade Loftus – JL Floral Design: With 25+ years of experience, Jade is celebrated for her creativity, technical excellence, and dedication to education. As a floristry lecturer and with multiple RHS Chelsea medals achieved, she nurtures the next generation of floral talent while contributing richly to the festival’s creative direction.
Paula Routledge BEM – Floral Media: An accomplished floral designer with over two decades in the industry, Paula is known for her refined, natural design style and deep understanding of floral mechanics. As a flower farmer and RHS horticultural judge, she also brings sustainability and judgement-level expertise to the team.
Guest Designers & Special Contributors
We are proud to host a curated group of internationally recognised guest designers whose work adds diversity, cultural perspective, and exceptional creative energy:
Ewa Wang (Shanghai): Founder of Guan Guan Floral Studio and RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year 2025, Ewa brings cross-cultural insights and elite competition experience.
Helen & Laura Pannitt: The award-winning mother-and-daughter team behind Helen James Flowers, celebrated for multiple RHS Chelsea Flower Show medals and narrativedriven designs.
Our Design Approach
As floral designers, we seek to present a narrative that is in harmony with the Hodsock Priory. And these are the key points of how to accomplish that:
- A Journey Through Time and Nature: Each installation acts as a chapter that reflects the Priory’s evolution, blending architectural form, botanical heritage, and storytelling.
- Collaborative Artistry in a Historic Setting: The floral collective’s work dialogues with the Priory’s spaces, honouring its legacy while pushing creative boundaries.
- Focus on Form & Fusion: Sculptural designs that mirror the Priory’s balance of structural elegance and organic beauty, made from a medley of natural and innovative materials.
The Festival's Timetable
You are warmly invited to come to the 'Rooted in History' Floral Design Festival. This is the full timetable, including the opening hours.
Wednesday 21st & Thursday 22nd October 2026
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM - Setup for designers
Friday 23rd & Saturday 24th October 2026
7:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Press Morning (invitation only)
- An exclusive preview for press, media partners, influencers, sponsors, and invited guests
- Early access to the full installation trail before public opening
- Designer/ house owners meet-and-greet and photo opportunities with sponsors
- A chance to generate early coverage across digital and traditional media platforms
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM – General Admission
Mapped Floral Installation Trail:
- Curated route through selected rooms of the house
- Immersive, narrative-led floral installations by award-winning designers
- Concludes in the ballroom and bar/demo area
Ballroom Hub:
- Demonstration Stage: Live floral demos
- Catwalk Shows: Featuring floral headwear and botanical fashion
- Retail Zone: Floral supplies, artisan goods, and giftware
Bar & Hospitality:
- Tea, coffee, soft drinks, cakes, and savoury options available
- Outdoor seating area available
7:00 PM onwards – VIP/ Corporate Twilight Sessions (limited availability).
Premium after-hours experiences include:
- Private viewing of the floral trail
- Live music and Royal Operatic Sensation
- Drinks and canapés
- Historic house talk from Hodsock owners
Sunday 25th October 2026
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM – General Admission
Header image by Claudia Harrison-White. Feature image by Clare Coleman.
