Meet the Maker: Sophie, Thyme’s Head Florist

Our wonderful in-house florist Sophie works tirelessly to create the beautifully wild arrangements that adorn Thyme’s indoor spaces, from foraged branches and joyful blooms from our cutting gardens. Here tells us about her journey and inspiration.

1. How did your journey with flowers began and what led you to Thyme?

I have an Art History background and started my career working for Tate. Since children arrived, I wanted to be around more for them and decided to start my own floristry business. This has grown over the past 15 years. About 8 years ago I contacted Caryn Hibbert at Thyme to explore the possibility of leading some floristry workshops. After discussion, it was agreed I would become Thyme's in- house florist working 2 days a week. 

2. How would you describe your floral style and how is it influenced by the seasons at Thyme? 

My floral style is strongly led by the seasons and has a loose, but abundant, garden-gathered feel. 

3. What does a typical day in the life of the Thyme florist look like?

All hotel flowers are changed in full on a Friday before the start of the weekend. There are many arrangements dotted around the spaces at Thyme - some are very big and full, others are simple stems in recycled glass bottles.

I create seasonal, garden bouquets for bedrooms, as well as floral displays for the talks and events we host. I also lead private floristry workshops at Thyme. 

4. Thyme’s landscape and gardens are such a vital part of the experience here. How does working so closely with the land, and using flowers grown right here, influence your arrangements? 

The floristry at Thyme works closely in-step with the seasons. Our wonderful cutting gardens provide us with a varied mix of flowers and foliage from mid April through to the end of October. Each week the mix of ingredients varies according to season and weather making no two weeks the same. As it's not fully possible to predict what the gardens will give us each week, this makes our floristry instinctive and natural in response. No two displays are the same, contributing further to our relaxed, garden-gathered aesthetic. 

5. Do you have a favourite flower or botanical that always finds its way into your arrangements?

My favourite flowers are often the small, incidental ones such as buttercups and forget-me-nots. It's these tiny details, which are often overlooked, that elevate any floral arrangement.

6. How do flowers enhance the guest experience at Thyme, from rooms to events?

At Thyme, we are passionate about connecting the land to our indoor experience throughout the buildings. The flowers are an intrinsic and significant element for our guest experience, bringing colour, fragrance and life to the indoor spaces. 

Private Floristry Classes at Thyme

May - September

Join our head florist Sophie Witham celebrate the wonderful mix of flowers, foliage and fragrant herbs that can be found in the cutting gardens and wild spaces at Thyme.

Using wild, loose and dramatic ingredients that capture the essence of the season, they are perfect for layering colour and texture.