Full of spectacularly colourful floral displays, Ely Cathedral’s long-awaited Flower Festival, Kaleidoscope of Life, has officially opened to the public.

Ely Standard: Ely Cathedral Flower FestivalEly Cathedral Flower Festival (Image: Archant)

With more than 100 displays as well as shopping, music recitals and demonstrations by leading floral experts, there’s plenty to see and do this weekend.

The festival was officially opened by special guest garden designer Diarmuid Gavin at the preview evening last night (Wednesday June 20).

Ely Standard: Ely Cathedral Flower FestivalEly Cathedral Flower Festival (Image: Archant)

The overall theme of the Flower Festival design focuses on the four seasons of life.

Highlights include a water feature, a ?oral arc the length of Ely’s nave and an entire transept dedicated to commemorating the end of WWI.

Ely Standard: Ely Cathedral Flower FestivalEly Cathedral Flower Festival (Image: Archant)

The crowning glory is a 12 metre wide kaleidoscope of ?owers positioned directly under Ely’s famous Octagon tower.

In addition to the thousands of flowers, the 14th century Lady Chapel will host a programme of musical performances by choirs from across the world.

Ely Standard: Ely Cathedral Flower FestivalEly Cathedral Flower Festival (Image: Archant)

Visitors to the festival will also be able to enjoy floral demonstrations and shopping in the gift and craft marquee.

The festival’s creative director is Chelsea gold medal winner, Roger Woolnough, who was part of the design team for Westminster Abbey’s Festival of Flowers and was the mastermind behind Ely Cathedral’s nationally acclaimed 2013 Flower Festival.

Ely Standard: Ely Cathedral Flower FestivalEly Cathedral Flower Festival (Image: Archant)

The event features the work of over 35 flower clubs and guilds from across the eastern region.

Ely Flower Festival runs until Saturday June 24. To book tickets visit: www.elycathedral.org or call the cathedral box office on 01353 660349.

Ely Standard: Sew much fun! A Flower Festival Fringe event - Sew Much to Do have yarn bombed a tree and the cannon on Palace Green. PHOTO: Mike RouseSew much fun! A Flower Festival Fringe event - Sew Much to Do have yarn bombed a tree and the cannon on Palace Green. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Cathedral Flower FestivalEly Cathedral Flower Festival (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Sew much fun! A Flower Festival Fringe event - Sew Much to Do have yarn bombed a tree and the cannon on Palace Green. PHOTO: Mike RouseSew much fun! A Flower Festival Fringe event - Sew Much to Do have yarn bombed a tree and the cannon on Palace Green. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Cathedral Flower FestivalEly Cathedral Flower Festival (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Cathedral Flower FestivalEly Cathedral Flower Festival (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Cathedral Flower FestivalEly Cathedral Flower Festival (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Cathedral Flower FestivalEly Cathedral Flower Festival (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Cathedral Flower FestivalEly Cathedral Flower Festival (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Cathedral Flower FestivalEly Cathedral Flower Festival (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Cathedral Flower FestivalEly Cathedral Flower Festival (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Sew much fun! A Flower Festival Fringe event - Sew Much to Do have yarn bombed a tree and the cannon on Palace Green. PHOTO: Mike RouseSew much fun! A Flower Festival Fringe event - Sew Much to Do have yarn bombed a tree and the cannon on Palace Green. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Crowds at Ely Cathedral Flower FestivalCrowds at Ely Cathedral Flower Festival (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: The Soham team have transformed Bishop Alcock's chapel for the Ely flower festival.The Soham team have transformed Bishop Alcock's chapel for the Ely flower festival. (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Bishop Alcock's chapelBishop Alcock's chapel (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: The Mayor of Ely Councillor Mike Rouse was given a sneek preview of Ely Cathedral's Flower FestivalThe Mayor of Ely Councillor Mike Rouse was given a sneek preview of Ely Cathedral's Flower Festival (Image: Archant)