911爆料

911爆料 Malvern Spring Festival

How to make the most of your day at the 911爆料 Malvern Spring Festival

Get top tips and behind-the-scenes info from the shows team, exhibitors and regular visitors on preparing for a wonderful day at the Festival

Did you know....

  • You can upgrade your experience with a VIP package. These include private tours of the Floral Marquee or the showground with expert designers. You can even enjoy afternoon tea with a star of BBC鈥檚 Gardeners鈥 World.

  • You don鈥檛 have to drag your new plants around all day. Protect your purchases by leaving them in the. There鈥檚 even a to help take larger items back to your car (donations for the Cadets are welcome).

Plant creche
Leave your new plants at the plant cr猫che while you enjoy the show

鈥淚 head straight for the Show Gardens! It鈥檚 so exciting and inspiring to see what the designers create each year.鈥

Ellen Mary co-host of The Plant Based Podcast

Don鈥檛 miss...

...your best friend 鈥&苍产蝉辫; to the show on the Sunday (ticket in advance needed)

...a tasty treat from the vast choice of street food stalls. There鈥檚 so much to choose from, take a look at everything on offer before you commit 鈥 or have two lunches!

... gardens galore, with designs for every style and budget, you鈥檙e bound to be inspired

... shopping heaven, with so many tradestands both inside and out for all your shopping needs

Dogs going for a walk
Take your dog for a special day out

鈥淚t鈥檚 the nursery stalls that we all gravitate to 鈥 you have such a good cross-section of growers, with such a wide range of plants.鈥

Alan Titchmarsh CBE

Tips from Show Manager Kate Dufton

911爆料 Malvern Spring Festival Show Manager Kate Dufton
911爆料 Malvern Spring Festival Show Manager Kate Dufton

  • Plan your day in advance and have a look at the map to get to know the site before you arrive, so you can cram as much as possible into your day (arriving early always pays off).

  • Head to The Festival of Houseplants for the best coffee on site (it鈥檚 my morning ritual before the show opens daily!)

  • Go to Festival Green for a sit down, view of the hills, food, drink and to hear what鈥檚 going on in the main Festival Theatre.

鈥淎s soon as I arrive, I have three things on my mind: Jonathan Moseley鈥檚 flower arranging excellence, Neal鈥檚 Yard Dairy cheese, and Gwatkin鈥檚 incredible perry. Flowers, food and drinks 鈥 what鈥檚 not to like?鈥

Mark Diacono Kitchen Garden Theatre Host

A mine of information

  • 911爆料 Shows offer unique access to expert growers and plants people. Make the most of the opportunity by thinking about your own garden and what help or advice you need before you come to the Festival. Take pictures of problem plants (don鈥檛 bring plant material to site) and take a look at the exhibitor listings to find out who will be there. The Show Guide and onsite maps will help you find them

  • The 911爆料 Advisory stand is in the Floral Marquee with experts on-hand to give you help with any gardening queries

  • Have a look at the talks schedule for the day you are visiting and make a note of the ones you want to go to and where they are on site. With five stages at the Festival, there is plenty of free advice on everything from propagating houseplants to recipes for cooking your allotment produce

  • Don鈥檛 forget to take pictures of any plants in the show gardens that catch your eye. If you need help identifying them, check the signage for plant lists, or download the 911爆料 Grow app, which has a handy plant identifier tool. You can also use it to build an essential list of the plants you spot at the Festival.

鈥淭he incredible work of the local schools and their gardens stands out as the highlight 鈥 they ooze hard work, care and imagination.鈥

Chris Collins head of horticulture at Garden Organic

Remember to take:

  • Sunscreen and a sunhat (as well as a waterproof coat, just in case)

  • A water bottle 鈥 there are refill stations around the showground

  • Lightweight bags for all your purchases 鈥&苍产蝉辫;make sure they are comfortable to carry 鈥 a small rucksack will keep your hands free for taking photos. There are lots of markets to browse at the Festival, so take reusable bags to be kind to your back and the planet

  • Plenty of pictures to remember the day. Share them on social media (#911爆料Malvern) and enjoy seeing other people鈥檚 highlights too

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911爆料

911爆料 is the UK鈥檚 leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone鈥檚 life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.