A Guide to Norfolk Garden Shows: Summer and Autumn 2016

Image: Sandringham Flower Show

For green-fingered Brits, garden shows, festivals and events provide a highlight of the summer calendar. They provide a chance to be inspired by beautiful designs – or simply gasp with envy at them! You can also pick up a few tips from horticulturists and pick up plants and cuttings that will soon be blooming in your own garden. To find out where you need to be this summer and autumn, check out our guide to Norfolk garden shows.

27th July: Sandringham Flower Show

Image: Sandringham Flower Show

One of the most prestigious horticultural events in the East of England, 2016 marks the Sandringham Flower Show’s 135th year. Around 20,000 visitors flock to Sandringham Park every year to see beautiful display gardens and 200 trade stands, hear talks from TV gardeners Chris Beardshaw and Alan Mason, and enter gardening competitions. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a Royal visitor!

Admission: £10 per adult. Free admission for under 16s.

31st July: Bacton Open Gardens

Image: Barbara Stockwood

The inhabitants of the pretty coastal village of Bacton are opening their gardens to the public. It’s a great opportunity to chat to other keen gardeners and have a nosy around all kinds of gardens! There will also be plants and tea and cake on sale in the village hall.

Admission: £4 per adult.

28th August: Norfolk Plant Heritage Autumn Plant Fair 

Pop along to Hethersett Village Hall for a low-key event between 10am and 1pm. With plant stalls, a plant doctor, a tombola and homemade refreshments, it’s the perfect way to spend a Sunday. 

4th September: Specialist Plant Day

Held at Pensthorpe Natural Park in Association with the Norfolk Nursery Network, Specialist Plant Day brings together the best of Norfolk’s plant nurseries. A range of unusual plants will be on sale, and you can pick up some expert advice about how to care for them from the growers.

Admission: £2 per person. All proceeds go to EACH.

18th September: Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Society Flower and Produce Show

Image: Kristopher Harper

The NNHS’s early autumn show takes place at the Norfolk Showground. A huge range of beautiful chrysanthemums and dahlias will be on display, and there will be sales of cut flowers, plants, fruit and vegetables. You can also take cookery and preserves classes.

Admission: Free.

24th and 25th September: Holkham Plant Fair

Image: Holkham Estate

Hosted in Holkham Hall’s beautiful walled garden, this two-day plant fair is a great opportunity to see plants from plant nurseries across East Anglia and get some expert advice on choosing the right plant. Browse through craft and artisan stalls and go to a Masterclass Talk to learn some useful tips from Holkham’s gardeners.

Admission: £2.50 per adult. £1 for children (5-16).

14th, 17th and 19th October: Pruning and Planting Workshops 

Image: Peter Beales Roses

Sign up early for an informal day’s workshop teaching you how to get the most out of your roses. The expert Rosarians at Peter Beales will teach you everything you need to know, and help you put the theory into practice at their Attleborough gardens. Coffee, lunch and afternoon tea are included in the price.

Admission: £70 per person.

We hope this will be a prime resource for all you gardeners. If you’ve been inspired to improve your garden, call us on 01603 360548. We’re experts in landscape gardening and patio paving and can get your garden looking beautiful this summer.

Is there a gardening event in Norfolk this summer or autumn that hasn’t made our list? Let us know on Facebook or on Twitter at @KnightsNorfolk. And don’t forget to share your gardening show photos with us!