Southport Flower Show is back in town this August!
The UK’s biggest independent flower show is packed full of celebrity guests, show gardens, floral marquees, arena displays, cookery displays, home and garden shopping and much more, and takes place from Thursday 17th August to Sunday 20th August 2023.
You can save money by buying online in advance: www.southportflowershow.co.uk
Here are 10 things we love about Southport Flower Show. If you’d like to add any others please let us know!
1 – Celebrity guests
Rachel Riley Photo by Alan Strutt 5
Southport Flower Show has always been packed full of famous faces – and this year is no exception!
Celebrity guests this year include Countdown star Rachel Riley, BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Pasha Kovalev, Gardeners’ World presenter Frances Tophill, Katie Rushworth from Love Your Garden, Garden Ninja Lee Burkhill, ‘cloud gardener’ Jason Williams, broadcaster James Wong, Daisy Desire the Drag Queen Gardener, Lee Connelly the Skinny Jean Gardener, children’s TV star Justin Fletcher – and that’s before you get inside the Cookery Theatre!
2 – Ready, steady let’s cook
MasterChef stars John Torode MBE and Lisa Faulkner will head to Southport Flower Show this summer
Take a seat in the Cookery Theatre and enjoy some of the nation’s most loved chefs sharing their tips while they cook – live!
Once you’ve got your inspiration, head to the bustling food marquee where you can sample and buy produce from over 50 independent gourmet producers.
In the demonstration kitchen will be celebrity chefs John Torode MBE and Lisa Faulkner along with ITV This Morning chef Phil Vickery, Masterchef’s Gabriella Margiotta and Lizzie Acker from the Great British Bake Off.
And don’t miss Southport baking queen Jemma Melvin, who has enjoyed a stellar year since winning the BBC One show – The Jubilee Pudding: 70 Years in the Baking.
3 – Show Gardens
Southport Flower Show
Look out for some spectacular Show Gardens this year, with some really memorable designs being created.
Local award-winning gardeners including Greg Mook and Jackie Knight are back this year, with Jackie creating a special Menopause Garden, building a haven for women to explore health and wellbeing.
Southport firm M W Henshaw Jnr Landscapes LTD is working with Liverpool Football Club to create a landscape garden chosen through ideas from local children, which will promote mental health.
There will be lots there to enjoy this year.
4 – Kids go free!
Southport Flower Show
At a time when families are keeping an eye on their budgets, Southport Flower Show has a fantastic deal allowing all children under 16 accompanied by adults to go free!
There is lots for children of all ages to enjoy too.
Younger visitors will be entertained by children’s TV star Justin Fletcher, who is returning with his acclaimed stage show.
Lee Connelly, also known as the Skinny Jean Gardener, will be encouraging kids to get involved with family gardening as he entertains visitors.
Head over to the arena area too for lots of displays taking place with BMX riders, birds of prey demonstrations and the famous West Lancs Dog Display team.
5 – Ladies Day
Southport Flower Show
Visitors can enjoy a day of “fizz, food, fashion, fun (and some famous faces!) when the eagerly-awaited Ladies Day takes place.
The full day of entertainment has become a popular fixture at the event and traditionally sells out every year.
It takes place on Friday, 18th August 2023 with tickets available via the Southport Flower Show website.
The sought-after event includes entry to the Show from 10am, entry into the Ladies Day marquee from 12.30pm, fizz on arrival at your table, a delicious three-course lunch from D’Vine Catering and an afternoon of entertainment with Adam Parker Brown and Kelly Bond. Supported by Lancashire Life Magazine and Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, the event runs until 6.30pm.
Kelly Bond said: “Guests will be able to enjoy fantastic dining, hospitality and entertainment all wrapped up in a fabulous bouquet!”
6 – Grand Floral Marquee
Southport Flower Show
One of the Show’s highlights is the spectacular Grand Floral Marquee.
It’s a treasure trove of quality plants and flowers, trees and shrubs, bonsai, cacti, vegetables and herbs.
Visit the Grand Floral Marquee to look, see and smell not only superior quality specimens, but also some of the more unusual plant varieties before you buy and, just importantly, get on the spot advice from the people who actually grew the plants.
7 – Big discounts for Southport residents
Southport Flower Show
Did you know that you can buy Southport Flower Show tickets in person from The Atkinson on Lord Street in Southport?
And that there is a special discount for people living in the PR8 and PR9 postcodes in Southport that will see you save £10 off each adult ticket?
Adult gate prices at Southport Flower Show during the event are £28 each.
But people living in the PR8 or PR9 postcodes can take advantage of a special offer which allows them to buy adult tickets in advance for just £18 each.
Tickets are available from The Atkinson box office in Southport and from the Southport Flower Show website.
Southport Flower Show General Manager Alan Adams said:
“This offer for residents living in Southport is our way of supporting local people who come and enjoy the Southport Flower Show year after year.”
8 – Enchanted Fields Wellness Zone
Enchanted Fields at Southport Flower Show. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Visitors who fancy a break from the crowds can escape to the ‘Enchanted Fields Wellness Zone’ for a free taster session (at all levels) including yoga, pilates, meditation, sound healing, reiki, and hand reflexology.
At this inclusive, family-friendly experience kids can also enjoy children’s yoga, meditation, and crafting.
9 – Shop until you drop
Southport Flower Show
If you like to shop, you’ll be spoilt for choice at the show.
There is a pop-up shopping village full of unusual and unique products.
With over 350 diverse trade exhibitors, it’s packed full with everything you could want for you, your home and garden.
And don’t miss being there when the bell rings on the Sunday afternoon and the grand sale takes place with lots of great bargains for your garden.
10 – UK’s biggest independent flower show
Southport Flower Show
Did you know that Southport Flower Show – and Victoria Park – are run by a charity?
The 34-acre Victoria Park is maintained for the benefit of the people of Southport without a penny of taxpayer’s support from the council, with all money raised for its upkeep coming through Southport Flower Show and other events at the park.
After the 1986 show, Sefton Council made the bombshell decision to withdraw funding and threw the future of the event into doubt.
But Southport people have always shown an extraordinary passion for and love of gardens and horticulture and were not prepared to lose their famous show. In true British spirit, a committee of local horticulturalists and business people was formed to negotiate with the council over the future of the event.
The Southport Flower Show Ltd charity now runs the Show.
So by buying a ticket for Southport Flower Show – you are directly contributing to the upkeep of Victoria Park for everyone in Southport to enjoy.
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