There's a regal feel to this year's Leeds Castle Festival of Flowers, which runs from Saturday, September 24 to Wednesday, September 28.

The theme is A Queen’s Castle, as it was owned by six medieval queens.

The opening on Saturday will be carried out by garden designer and presenter of BBC Gardeners’ World, Joe Swift, with a talk at 3.30pm.

The festival features floral demonstrations, specialist talks and garden tours, included in the admission ticket.

The Queen plotting a secret birthday party for her 90th is the inspiration for Dutch designer Dennis Kneepkens’ display in the Queen’s Gallery and The Courtyard, featuring roses and lisianthus.

Inside the 900-year-old castle, visitors can see creations on a regal theme with flowers supplied by South East Flowers, including A Bed of Roses, A Window into the World of a Queen and Royal Window Boxes: The Crown Jewels.

Head castle florist Louise Roots, herself a Gold award-winner from RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, said: “I am looking forward to seeing the creative inspiration of A Queen’s Castle brought to life by each of the designers and I invite visitors to cast their votes on their favourite designs during the festival.”

Guest speakers on Saturday include Neil Whittaker at 12.30pm, Hans Haverkamp at 2pm and Joe Swift at 3.30pm with his talk on 30 years of garden design.

Specialist talks and demonstrations from the castle florists will be held in the 16th century Maiden’s Tower including world renowned florist Paula Pryke OBE on Monday at 2pm.

Take a peek into the life of the castle in the 1930s with Lady Baillie’s Love of Flowers: Tales from the 1930s, a talk about the days when the last private owner threw lavish house parties, while tours of the formal gardens will be given by the castle’s gardening team from Monday to Wednesday at noon.

DETAILS

The Leeds Castle Festival of Flowers: A Queen’s Castle will run from Saturday, September 24 to Wednesday, September 28.

Grounds open at 10am and the castle is open from 10.30am, with last admission 4.30pm.

For details visit leeds-castle.com or call 01622 765400.