I go every year to the Malvern spring show (by coach as it's so much easier) but don't like the autumn one so much. Chelsea is fantastic occasionally. Haven't done Hampton Court since the year of the Tube & bus bombing (we got caught up in the chaos that day which was terrifying). The local Special Plant fairs are good if you specifically want plants - The Bishop's Palace one in Wells is always worth a visit and it's such a pretty place.
They are either advertised in garden magazines or you can probably google on Special Plant Fairs - they are usually once a month or so in different parts of the country so there should be one by you. There are however different companies running them.
I love the plant fairs. Some of them are held in places not always open to the public, and some include admission to a house or garden in the entry fee (generally about £3), tthough at others you have to pay extra. Plus you get a good selection of plant stalls with knowledgable owners and plants, much more varied than the garden centre's, at very reasonable prices. I went to one venue twice last year, having been the year before, because it was in a wonderful garden and I wanted to see it in the autumn as well as in the summer. (Abbeywood, near Delamere, Cheshire).
I've been to the Malvern Spring Show twice and really enjoyed it. I was staying with friends there. But we are in Norfolk when we aren't in France and I thoroughly enjoyed the Sandringham flower show. There were some great plants for sale. But not enough outside seating.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
We go to the Malvern Spring Show most years and really enjoy it. The quality and quantity seemed to drop off for a couple of years but is certainly on the up again now. The Spring show is very much plant and garden based, as you'd expect for RHS shows, but the Autumn show is more variew and many more non-gardening themes.
Hated Chelsea, wanted to go for absolutely years with my late Mum and she died 30 years ago, eventually went a few years back on RHS members day, thinking it would be less busy, there were guys in viz jackets moving us on all the time, so could hardly stop to look let alone take pictures, found people in the tents were very offhand and unhelpfull, give me Hampton Court any day, MUCH nicer, met Monty and Carol there, (well, SAW them!!!)
Posts