Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock is set to host its first-ever flower show this summer, bringing together floral artistry, military heritage and community remembrance in a unique cultural event.
Running from 09 to 12 July 2026, the exhibition titled From Battlefields to Blooms will see arrangements created by Bladon & Woodstock, Oxford and Abingdon Flower Clubs displayed throughout the museum’s galleries.
The installations will respond directly to the museum’s permanent collections and the new Lee Miller: A Woman at War exhibition.
The floral displays have been designed after extensive time spent within the galleries, with participating flower clubs drawing inspiration from stories of service, sacrifice and resilience.
Themes include Dig for Victory, Botanical Remedies and Lives Lost in the Trenches, each interpreting aspects of military history through natural form and colour.
The flower show builds on the clubs’ previous work, which has featured in notable regional exhibitions including Dorchester Abbey and Abingdon’s Fashion in Flowers showcase in 2019.
A key feature of the event will be a commemorative In Memoriam installation, allowing visitors to donate in memory of military loved ones or ancestors.
Names submitted via the museum website will be incorporated into a dedicated floral tribute, offering a personal and collective act of remembrance while supporting the museum’s charitable work.
Alongside the exhibition, the museum will host a special evening event, Bubbles & Blooms, on 09 July from 6.30pm to 8.00pm.
The garden party will feature live performances from The Waterloo Band and Bugles of The Rifles, alongside access to the flower show and exhibitions.
Half of all proceeds will be donated to SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, with the remainder supporting the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust.
Organisers say the event marks an innovative use of the museum space, transforming galleries into immersive floral interpretations of military history and remembrance.
Tickets for Bubbles & Blooms and further details on the commemorative scheme are available via the museum website.
