Shows and Events for 2013

As keen gardeners I am sure many of us relish the thought of upcoming gardening events, whether they are exhibitions, plant sales or visiting other peoples gardens. They provide new inspiration in your own garden and at the allotment. As the interest continues to grow within the horticultural world for such events it’s always best to plan ahead and book tickets, or find out about local events as soon as you can.


Below are a list of mainly local events that will be taking place during 2013, so if you’re keen on seeing a specific designer, garden, buy a particular plant or just want to pop along for some inspiration, hopefully you will find some.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 21st-25th May

Perhaps the most obvious, and largest of shows, to visit, Chelsea if full of ideas for both garden and allotment. This year promises to be another success with numerous designers exhibiting and .. However if you are not one for having a hand in your photograph or a head in your eye line this show may not be for you!

The Woburn Abbey Safari Show
22nd-23rd June , 10-5pm Costs: Adult £10.99, Senior £9.99, Child £6.00

Last year the show had celebrity gardeners Christine Walkden and Pippa Greenwood who held talk on horticulture. The show includes garden exhibitions, food and gift hall, as well as an outdoor living area. The cost of the ticket includes free garden guided tours and sculpture exhibition, free parking and entry to Hornbeam maze, as well as a free plant. For more information visit the Woburn website

The Cambridge Garden Show, held at Wood Green Animal Shelter
31st May, 1-2nd June Costs: Adult:£5.00, Concessions £4.50, Child £1.00

This show had really grown in popularity within the last few years and is perfect if your looking for cheap, familiar and unfamiliar plants. Not only will it supply you with offers on bedding plants, but there is also an array of perennials, aquatics and fruit trees. There is a large food hall, with many stands and a number of stands selling gardening equipment and outdoor furniture. This is held on the lower field of the site, so there is a brief walk, but it’s a lovely morning out. And, if its anything like last year, you may want to take a hat and sunglasses. For more information visit: Aztec events

Norfolk Spring Garden Show 10th-12th May
Costs: Adult:£5.00, Concessions £4.50, Child £1.00

This held at the Norfolk Showground Norwich and Features an assortment of nurseries, plants men and garden companies, alongside an extensive array of garden & home products. The Cambridge Food Garden and Produce Festival 14th-15th Sept, Parker’s Peace 10-5pm Although this is quite a while away it’s still nice to know that once you have time, no doubt after the extensive hours spent at the allotment between March until summer, there are still gardening shows you can visit in Autumn. They are becoming a lot more popular, for example the Malvern Autumn Show is another growing event. Admission is free for this show so why not pop down.

Hemingford Abbots Flower Festival
29th-30th June, Open noon till 6pm
Day programmes are £6.00 for over 20 open garden viewings, £10 programmes are available for the whole weekend, children under 16 enter free.

This show in the idyllic Hemingford Abbots never fails to impress. The local church is decorated in floral arrangements and the very English gardens can be viewed throughout your visit. Nearly everyone in the village takes part in some way and there is a W.I market, bric-a-brac stands, art exhibitions and a brass band. This really is a lovely afternoon out, and it gives you the chance to see what other locals do with their gardens.

RHS Plant and Design show (19/20th Feb) and RHS Great London Fair (26-27th March)

Both run from 10-5/7pm and a standard ticket is £8. The plant and design show is held at Vincent Square in the RHS horticultural halls and has a number of unique garden exhibits and upcoming designers show casing their talent. The plant fair not only allows you to view and purchase plants but expert advice can be obtained from the trade stool holders and nurseries. A number of horticultural products are also available within the RHS hall.