Brogdale will be hosting a day long festival of the blossom to encompass all things Japanese along with the chance for the public to picnic under the blossom throughout April 2019.

The Collections holds over 350 flowering cherry varieties with the added bonus of celebrating all the other blossoming fruit trees including Apples, Pears, Quince, Apricots and Plums in the Collections 150 acres of orchards.

The festival day will host a celebration of Japanese culture with a traditional tea ceremony, Iaijutsu and tameshigiri displays (Japanese sword martial arts) alongside Japanese armour and demonstrations of Taiko (Japanese drumming).Also an exhibition of traditional Japanese cultural artefacts donated by the Embassy of Japan.

A Japanese calligrapher and artist will demonstrate this ancient art or you can have a go at the art of origami. See if you can win a game of Karuta the traditional Japanese card game or try on a kimono.

Mr Miyagi a local Japanese restaurant and Wagamamas will be providing demonstrations and talks on sushi rolling, interacting with visitors and teaching them how to make a range of sushi dishes.

Throughout the whole of April the public will get the chance to enjoy some of the Hanami celebration with Brogdale Hanami Picnic Experiences. Visitors can picnic under the blossom after enjoying a tour of the blossoming orchards led by one of our knowledgeable guides. Guests will also be able to view the Hanami exhibition of Japanese artefacts & traditional items with a few Japanese snacks and food to taste.