Group_Leisure___Travel_-_April_2020

producers. This also includes a huge amount

of specially made gifts from independent

companies and manufacturers, offering the

perfect place to pick up treats for the family.

Events for garden lovers

Set across four days with over 50,000 visitors

each year, Southport Flower Show is one of

the largest independent shows in the country.

Celebrity guests help to inspire visitors with

their wisdom; previous names have included

chefs Ainsley Harriott and Simon Rimmer

as well as horticultural experts Monty Don,

Carol Klein and Joe Swift. Whether it be the

informative garden theatre or the shopping

village with more than 350 exhibitors to

choose from, there’s lots on offer.

To see more than 900 years of history with

a beautiful twist, Leeds Castle’s Festival

of Flowers is certainly the one for vibrant

colours. Visitors can take in the castle’s

rooms decorated by an impressive line-up

of international designers and discover a

programme of floral demonstrations, specialist

talks and garden tours. If you like what you see

on the visit, you can buy a range of flowers and

garden accessories from a variety of stalls on

the Pavilion Lawn.

Farming

extravaganza

The iconic three-day Great Yorkshire

Show is one of the biggest agricultural

events in England, attracting more

than 130,000 visitors and over 8,500

animals to the Great Yorkshire

Showground in Harrogate. The 2021

show will run from 13th - 15th

July, featuring animal competitions,

cooking demonstrations,

shopping opportunities and other

entertainment for all ages.

A permanent team of more than

100 volunteers organise the annual

Shrewsbury Flower Show, ensuring that

visitors have a wonderful experience.

It features TV personalities, celebrity

chefs, singers and spectacular arena

acts to entertain crowds, ending with a

finale and firework display. The Quarry

Marquee, the main floral venue is home

to the top national nurseries and growers

who create displays to be admired across

the event.

The annual Arley Garden Festival in

Northwich attracts around 5,000 visitors

every year and has become one of the

many highlights of the horticultural year

in the north west. Along with specialist

plant nurseries in the Floral Marquee, the

team also provides a number of garden

tours throughout the day to point out the

colourful collection within the estate.

• Left: Arley Hall displays beautiful
  flowers during its garden festival.

38 April 2020 groupleisureandtravel.com

Festivals, Shows & Events