Posted: 01/04/2026
Level 3 Floristry Students Bring ‘A Season of Flowers’ to Life
Brodsworth Hall and Gardens: Images courtesy of English Heritage Trust.
Level 3 Floristry students from Doncaster College have played a key role in a prestigious new exhibition at Brodsworth Hall and Gardens, creating a striking large-scale floral installation for English Heritage’s 2026 exhibition, A Season of Flowers.
Described by curator Eleanor Matthews as “a thoroughly enjoyable experience,” the collaboration has resulted in what she calls “a beautiful floral tablescape… which forms the centrepiece of the exhibition.”
Designing a Floral Installation Inspired by History
Working closely with English Heritage curators and conservators, students responded to a professional client brief centred around Sylvia Grant-Dalton, a 1930s resident of the hall known for her passion for flowers and nature.
Their creative direction was inspired by Flowers in a Terracotta Vase with Fruit and a Bird’s Nest by Jan van Huysum. As Eleanor explains, students were challenged to design “a large-scale floral installation inspired by a Dutch floral still life painting… adding another layer of complexity due to conservation requirements.”
To develop their ideas, students visited the hall and its gardens, immersing themselves in the historic setting. This hands-on research helped them create a design that not only reflected the artwork but also complemented the character and heritage of the space.
Initial sketches, mood boards and inspiration for the tablescape inspired by the painting by Jan Van Huysym.
A Thoughtfully Crafted Tablescape with Visual Impact
The final installation is a carefully curated tablescape featuring a mix of containers in varying shapes, sizes, and textures. Materials such as pewter, bronze, copper, stone, and terracotta were selected to harmonise with the room’s historic interiors.
Due to conservation restrictions, artificial flowers were used, something Eleanor noted as a key challenge. However, she praised how “the students definitely delivered on the brief,” successfully creating a display full of “colour, impact, and detail.”
The arrangement includes intricate elements such as fruit, candles, butterflies, and a bird’s nest with eggs, subtle references to the original painting that bring depth and storytelling to the installation.
The final tablescape design at Brodsworth Hall: Images courtesy of English Heritage Trust.
Real Industry Experience for Future Florists
This project offered invaluable real-world experience, allowing students to:
- Work on a live client brief
- Design for a public exhibition space
- Adapt to strict conservation guidelines
- Collaborate as part of a creative team
Eleanor highlighted the success of this partnership, noting that involving the students “felt like a natural idea” and that she is “so glad we did,” especially given the overwhelmingly positive response from visitors, staff, and volunteers.
Celebrating Student Success and Creative Collaboration
Special thanks go to Floristry Tutors and Course Leaders Jo Cullingworth and Jade Loftus, alongside the talented Level 3 students whose creativity brought this project to life – Millie Binns, Kerry Broadbent, Melissa Haigh, Katelan Harper, Kiera Hewson, Leann Jablonsky, Lewis Jones, Chloe Lee, Kaycee Milner and Anna Schofield.
This collaboration between Doncaster College, English Heritage and Brodsworth Hall and Gardens is a powerful example of how education and industry can come together to create something truly memorable.
Doncaster College students creating the floral display: Images courtesy of English Heritage Trust.