The countdown is on for the 2023 Southport Flower Show with celebrity guests including Rachel Riley joining thousands for a family day out by the seaside.
TV presenter Rachel and her BBC Strictly Come Dancing partner Pasha Kovalev will be among the star turns at this year’s show which opens in four weeks on August 17.
Southport is the UK’s largest independent flower show and is famous for its stunning show gardens, grand floral marquee and keenly contested amateur competitions.
Visitors can enjoy a wealth of gardening inspiration from top experts including Gardeners’ World presenter Frances Tophill and Katie Rushworth from Love Your Garden.
They are joined by Garden Ninja Lee Burkhill, ‘cloud gardener’ Jason Williams and broadcaster James Wong plus Daisy Desire, the Drag Queen Gardener.
Southport Flower Show. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
And 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.
Kids go free to Southport Flower Show and 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 younger visitors to get involved with family gardening as he entertains visitors.
With its combination of garden and floral displays, cookery demonstrations, shopping village, arena entertainment, live music and much more, Southport Flower Show is a great day out for the whole family.
The packed programme of entertainment in the arena includes BMX riders, birds of prey demonstrations and a dog display team. Southport is a dog-friendly event all round with visitors welcome to bring along their well-behaved pets on a lead.
There is also live music all day long on the piazza stage with choirs, ukulele groups and brass bands in the mix.
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.
Alan Adams, General Manager of Southport Flower Show, said: “It’s been 99 years since the first Southport Flower Show, but our talented team never fails to come up with new ideas to delight our visitors. This year we’re sure that everyone who comes to Southport will find something that makes their day special.”
Southport Flower Show. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Southport Flower Show runs over four days from Thursday 17th August to Sunday 20th August and is held in the 34-acre Victoria Park close to the centre of the seaside town.
Tickets are £28 on the gate but buy in advance for an early bird discount with tickets purchased before 11.59pm on Wednesday 16th August available for £25.
How to get there
Southport Flower Show will take over its traditional home at Victoria Park, which is close to the town centre and also the Pleasureland and sea front. It is well connected to the north west motorway network and there is plenty of parking. The postcode is PR8 1RX but the entrances to the show and surrounding car parks are all very well sign posted when you reach Southport so motorists are advised to follow the signs rather than Satnav.
From the South: Take the M6 to exit at junction 26 for the M58 to Ormskirk. Here you take the A570 to Southport.
From the North: Follow the A59 from Preston, exit 31 if coming from the M6, and then follow the A565 to Southport.
The show site is 20 minutes’ walk from Southport train station. Regular trains, buses and coaches run to Southport from Liverpool, Wigan and Manchester. There is a shuttle bus available at a return cost.
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