Due to the coronavirus outbreak, spring flower shows in the UK have been unable to open to the public, however a number have been posting videos and photos online instead, allowing virtual visitors to see the best of the blooms in greater detail and with more impact than ever.

Arundel Tulip Festival

The Arundel Tulip Festival, which takes place in April each year, attracts visitors from all over the world to the amazing grounds of Arundel Castle in West Sussex, England. The breath-taking video above shows the 80,000 tulips in all their vibrant glory.

One of England’s finest stately homes, Arundel Castle is the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Norfolk, and boasts extensive landscaped gardens. The highlight of this year’s tulip festival is the magnificent labyrinth, in the internationally-renowned Collector Earl’s Garden, which is filled with a striking combination of white Thalia narcissus, red Apeldoorn tulips and Purple Dream tulips.

Trentham Spring Bulb Festival

Award-winning Trentham Gardens in Staffordshire is one of England’s most visited paid-for gardens, and a virtual tour of their second annual Spring Bulb Festival can now be enjoyed from the comfort of our homes.

A series of five videos – one of which can be seen above – showcases the sensational spring planting. This year the garden has been filled with over 180,000 bulbs, creating a riot of colour across the 735 acre estate. Tulips in a whole range of colours are, of course, among the stars of the show, but other highlights include borders of narcissus and hyacinths, as well as displays of polka-dotted fritillaria meleagris.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

While not a flower show, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is posting weekly videos on its website sharing highlights of its superb spring blooms. One of the world’s leading botanic gardens, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh offers 70 acres of beautiful landscape and planting, as well as views of the Edinburgh skyline.

Among the stand out collections are colourful spring flowering bulbs including dwarf daffodils, snowdrops and crocuses. Late spring and early summer will see the peak flowering of the dwarf rhododendrons and alpines, including the European pulsatilla and the North American penstemon. 

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, said: “These wonderful videos give us the chance to enjoy some of the country’s finest spring shows and flower displays from the comfort of our armchairs. With exceptional weather over the last few weeks, Britain’s gardens are looking great at the moment.

“Let’s hope that this time next year we will all be out and about visiting the spring displays as normal once again, but for the time being, these delightful virtual tours are the next best thing, bringing a splash of colour into our homes and helping to lift our spirits.”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor-made garden tour of the UK or Ireland, taking in the best seasonal displays, please do contact our friendly team today.