If you’re looking for something to do with the kids this summer in Portsmouth, then make sure to come down and explore The Wild Cathedral.

Visitors have the unique opportunity to explore the Cathedral as the outdoors comes indoors for a sensory garden experience perfect for the whole family!

Throughout the garden you’ll find different sensory experiences filling the spectacular architecture of Portsmouth Cathedral. Our team have been carefully cultivating a whole host of plants, flowers and flora that are sure to have your senses going ‘wild’!

Here are just five of the many plant species you’ll be able to see, touch, smell (and even taste in some cases) around The Wild Cathedral.

Angel Wings

Senecio candicans, fondly known as ‘angel wings’ or ‘sea cabbage’, is a succulent flowering plant native to India. Its large, silvery white leaves have a soft, downy texture similar to suede or velvet.

Learn more on the RHS website →

Lemon balm

Lemon balm is a bushy perennial herb with deliciously lemon-scented leaves. During the sumer you’ll find it blossoms with creamy-white or pale purple flowers. The leaves are often used to give a lemony kick to salads, sauces and fish dishes. Some people will even use it to make a refreshing herb tea.

Learn more on the RHS website →

Salvia 'Hot Lips'

On this bushy evergreen plant, you’ll find small, ovate, aromatic green leaves. In the summer months flowers blossom, fading delicately through colours including red in midsummer, bicolored red and white in July and August, sometimes completely white when the days begin to shorten. It’s distinctive flowers really capture your eye from across the garden, that is if you haven’t smelt it already!

Learn more on the RHS website →

Queen's Platinum Jubilee

To commemorate HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, this beautiful new bush rose feature’s large pink petals, that are arranged to create perfectly shaped roses throughout the summer. With a sweet, strong fragrance not only does it look beautiful it also smells exquisite. Don’t forget to look out for the tree funded by the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Neighbourhood Grant from Portsmouth City Council, which will be planted on the Cathedrals grounds after the event.

Learn more about visiting The Wild Cathedral here, which continues until Saturday 3 September. Admission is free with other ticketed events including yoga and Late Nights at The Wild Cathedral.