Southport Flower Show marks its 90th anniversary this August with one of the biggest garden parties of the summer.
Thousands of visitors will head to Victoria Park in Southport for a packed programme including show gardens, family entertainment and top celebrity gardeners.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli officially opens the four-day show on
Thursday, August 15.
Bruno Tonioli
This year’s theme is the Garden Party with designers, exhibitors and visitors all invited to get into the party spirit to help Southport celebrate its landmark year.
Some of the UK’s leading gardening experts will be passing on their growing advice and answering questions from visitors at Southport.
Broadcasters and gardening experts Christine Walkden and Matthew Wilson are
returning to the show and are joined by gardening authors Adam Frost and Nigel
Colborn, both well known for their work on TV, radio and in newspapers.
Michael Perry, also known as Mr Plant Geek, will talk about some of nature’s quirkier plants.
Visitors can journey into the past on Southport’s time travel bus, going back 90 years on a tour hosted by Coronation Street and Mr Selfridge actor Leon Ockenden.
Leading the line-up in the celebrity kitchen is Dave Myers, known to millions as one half of the Hairy Bikers. Dave will be sharing his tips for quality outdoor cooking.
And for younger visitors, the family entertainment includes a new stage show by
Children’s TV star Justin Fletcher, famous for shows including Justin’s House and
Children age under 16 are admitted free of charge with a paying adult and there is a
programme of entertainment dedicated to younger visitors.
As well as Justin Fletcher, there is the Minecraft-themed MineVention where young
gamers can learn new tricks and show off their skills.
Players can take part in Build Battle competitions and tournaments as well as meeting top YouTubers.
Show garden
Visitors are allowed to bring along their pet dogs to the Southport Flower Show after a successful trial last year.
Bins are located throughout the showground plus water bowl stations for our thirsty
four-legged visitors.
The key to Southport’s success down the decades have been the fabulous show
gardens and the Grand Floral Marquee.
The show gardens are consistently among the most popular features of the show and
this year designers will be inspired by the Garden Party theme.
More than 375 people will enter the amateur growers’ competitions hoping to win one of the coveted prizes on offer.
The show runs from Thursday, August 15 until Sunday, August August and the address is Victoria Park, Southport, PR8 1RX.
Parking is clearly signposted upon arrival into Southport and is available for an all-day
rate of £7 in two main public parking areas.
Princes Park is close to the show and Birkdale Common is located a short distance from the show and has a regular Park and Ride Service. The drop off/pick up point is close to Duke Street Gate.
All parking areas are clearly signposted in and around Southport.
Tickets and opening times - and when the big sell off starts on Sunday
Advance tickets can be purchased online for £20 each until midnight Wednesday, August 14. Gate price is £26. Children are free with a paying adult.
Late entry ticket
available for £15 after 3pm.
Opening times are 10am until 6pm on Thursday, August 15 until Sunday, August 18,
apart from Sunday when the show closes at 5pm.
The sell off bell is sounded at 4pm on Sunday - which is when all the plants from the
show gardens are sold at large discounts.
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