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Celebrate the arrival of spring this Easter holiday by joining the Old Royal Naval College in creating a stunning giant paper flower garland inspired by the Goddess Flora.

To celebrate its 300th anniversary, Old Royal Naval College is bringing a piece of the Painted Hall outdoors to shine a spotlight on Flora, Goddess of Flowers and Spring, who is one of the many characters hiding in plain sight in Thornhill’s designs.

Take part in a FREE, relaxed drop-in workshop on the King William Lawns, where you can discover the story of Flora and unleash your creativity. Using craft materials, you’ll create beautiful paper flowers to contribute to a vibrant communal garland worthy of the goddess herself.

* Suitable for all ages, this outdoor activity is the perfect way to welcome the new season. Enjoy the fresh spring air as you craft, add your creation to the growing display, and, if you wish, you can also create your own flower so you can take home a piece of Flora’s magic.

Who is Flora? | Painted Hall 300
Did you know Thornhill put a kind of clock in his designs for the Painted Hall Ceiling? If you look up at the Lower Hall Ceiling, you can see a big oval with characters sitting all along the edge. These characters are symbols for different star signs and seasons, just like a clock but for the whole year.

One of these characters is Flora, Roman Goddess of Flowers who represents Springtime. In the painting, you can see her holding a flower garland which she brings back to life as she passes it through her hands. She is one of the four seasons you can spot on the ceiling!