Following a sell-out event in 2021, the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair returns to Beaulieu in Hampshire from 29 April to 1 May with a glorious gardening day out.
Visitors can expect a feast of plants and flowers, garden inspiration, expert advice and shopping all set in the stunning grounds of Beaulieu, with tickets including entry to Palace House and the National Motor Museum.
Bringing the magazine pages to life, editors of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine take to the stage, along with BBC2 Gardeners’ World presenters Adam Frost (Friday), Joe Swift (Saturday) and Frances Tophill (Sunday), with seasonal tips to help visitors get the most out of their Spring gardens, wildlife, sustainability and planting choices.
Stage sponsor Regent Seven Seas Cruises host daily Plants of The World sessions hosted by Gardeners’ Question Time regular Matt Biggs, and ‘In Conversation’ style talks take place with the TV presenters in Beaulieu’s renowned Victorian Walled Gardens, a totally unique experience.
Visitors will be able to glean a wealth of ideas from the garden features, including headline sponsor Hillier Nurseries’ impressive design that will contrast a contemporary side with a focus on outdoor entertaining, with a traditional cottage garden with vibrant border and Gertrude Jekyll inspired planting. As part of the Hillier Experience, experts will be on hand to offer 1-to-1 advice and visitors will be able to buy plants seen in the display from the Hillier shop, including some of their newest launches. The inspiration keeps flowing with nine Beautiful Borders and four Showcase Gardens, many influenced by Hampshire and surrounding areas.
With a head full of ideas, visitors will be able to shop for a wide range of plants from up to 30 nurseries and specialist growers. Popular nurseries return to the Show including Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants and New Forest Hostas, along with a range of new exhibitors such as Hampshire Carnivorous Plants, Pheasant Acre Plants and lily specialist H.W. Hyde. Visitors will also be able to shop for a range of gardening kit and accessories including Stihl tools, Brightstar Fires and Pepe Garden Furniture and enjoy their day bag-free by taking advantage of the Plant Crèche supported by charity Maggie’s Southampton.
Heading into the BBC Good Food Market for artisan food, drink and street food will be a temptation! An alfresco bar will sit alongside the Bandstand where visitors can enjoy the dulcet tones of The Estrellas and jazz singer Chris Weeks, with BBC TV presenter Chris Bavin as compere and Bandstand sponsor Gordon’s will be sampling their latest Tropical Passionfruit Gin.
Visitors will be able to drop in at flower-crown making workshops run by the local NAFAS group, meet the Woodland Trust team giving out free trees and advice, experience the Shinrin-yoku Green Wall by automotive sponsor Lexus, and be wowed by the National Motor Museum’s planted-up 1928 Austin Twelve Clifton as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations.
Find out more and buy your tickets by clicking here.