The beginning of 2007 had seen above average temperatures but the start of the Spring Flower Festival heralded a start of northerly winds and a plummeting thermometer. In spite of the weather there was a friendly, happy atmosphere within the castle walls. No complaints were heard about any of the magnificent flower arrangements that had been created by individuals, societies and colleges. The costumes on loan from the Kent Costume Trust and the fans from the Greenwich Museum added to the ambience in the rooms of the castle.
The flower show really started outside the castle in the woodland garden. This display of scillas with the background of the pavilion is on the approach to the castle.
A display to greet the visitor to the heraldry room
Lower bridge corridor window sill
Entrance to the queen’s room
Flowers in the queen’s room
Costumes in the queen’s room
The queen’s bathroom
The queen’s gallery with the busts of Henry VIII and his three children
The courtyard leading from the queen’s gallery
A window seat in the banqueting hall
The chapel
Pews and carvings as a backdrop to flowers
At the bottom of the spiral staircase
Top of the spiral staircase
Top landing with the parliament clock
The seminar room - a fan from the museum collection ...
... and a flower arrangement to echo the fan motive
Lady Baillie’s dressing room
Lady Baillie’s bedroom
Catherine of Aragon bedroom ...
... with appropriate costumes
The top bridge corridor ...
... with a window sill flower display
Detail of a frame at the top of the main staircase
Tthe back of the main hall
The yellow drawing room fireplace
Thorpe Hall drawing room
A corner of the Thorpe Hall drawing room
The front hall
The front door