Sketch in Bloom returns with a tribute to Jane Austen
Sketch Mayfair celebrates the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen with a month-long floral celebration, Regency-inspired performances, and exclusive collectible editions of her most beloved novels.
Sketch In Bloom 2025. ©Mark Cocksedge.
Sketch Mayfair reintroduces its annual floral celebration Sketch in Bloom, now in its 11th edition, with a timely tribute to Jane Austen on the 250th anniversary of her birth. From 1 May to 1 June 2025, the iconic Grade II* listed building, known for its artistic flair and bold reinventions, will be transformed into a celebration of Austen’s life, literary achievements, and her connection to nature and the English countryside.
The venue’s grand neoclassical rooms will be taken over by celebrated floral artists Lucy Vail Floristry, Ricky Paul, and Rob Van Helden. Guests arriving at the façade will be greeted by a sweeping floral archway of clematis, roses and foxgloves, leading into an elegant landscape of blossoms and references to Austen’s era. Throughout the Reception Hall, flowers bloom across the floor, while artist Meg Boscowen paints British countryside murals in soft Regency hues. At the heart of this display sits a pergola beneath which pages fall gently from the ceiling — a tribute to Austen’s imaginative spirit.
Sketch In Bloom 2025. ©Mark Cocksedge.
In The Glade, Lucy Vail’s tree installation blooms with Regency-inspired parasols filled with flowers, echoing Austen’s own words from Mansfield Park. Rob Van Helden has reimagined the Lecture Room, creating a spectacular central wisteria tree with lilac blossoms trailing beneath the chandelier. Around it sits a miniature writing desk, vintage chair and Austen’s novels, surrounded by a garden of lupins, hydrangeas and delphiniums. In The Pods, Ricky Paul has designed a floral installation that blends modern elegance with a gentle, romantic atmosphere. Delicate vines and hand-crafted wisteria trail throughout the space, centred around a striking moss topiary figure — a nod to the charm of Austen’s characters.
Sketch In Bloom 2025. ©Mark Cocksedge.
Sketch has also partnered with Penguin to release two exclusive Vintage Collector’s Classics: Pride and Prejudice and Emma. Only 200 copies of each title will be available for purchase — specially produced to mark the occasion and offered exclusively at Sketch throughout the month.
In the Gallery, guests can enjoy a themed afternoon tea priced at £115, served in a silver Regency-style tea set and accompanied by live classical music and weekly performances of scenes from Emma. For those looking to enjoy a special dining experience, a Sketch in Bloom three Michelin-star lunch will be available in the Lecture Room for £150. The bars at Sketch will also offer a bespoke cocktail menu inspired by the season, in collaboration with Champagne Pommery and Silent Pool Gin.
Sketch In Bloom 2025. ©Mark Cocksedge.
As part of the celebrations, a workshop on 12 May will be hosted in partnership with florists Wild at Heart, offering guests the chance to create their own seasonal bouquet. Additional events, including floral arranging sessions and readings, will be announced on the Sketch website. With music by Mathieu Massadian and fresh floral-inspired staff uniforms designed by Sonia Taouhid, every corner of Sketch this May is a nod to the world of Jane Austen.
Date: 1 May – 1 June 2025. Location: Sketch, 9 Conduit Street, Mayfair, London W1S 2XG. sketch.london
