The UK’s largest harvest celebration, the Malvern Autumn Show, is taking place from 27–29 September at Three Counties Showground. This year’s show promises to be bigger and better than ever with a jampacked programme, full of exciting things to see and do. Here are nine reasons why this year’s show is not to be missed:
Feast your eyes on giant, showstopping vegetables:
The CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship will feature supersized produce that will leave the guests in awe. They can take photos next to them to show their sheer scale and find out exactly what it takes to grow such impressive crops. With 31 adult classes, including a new class for the heaviest cantaloupe melon with a £1,000 prize, this is truly the ‘world cup of giant vegetable growing.’
Grow your horticultural knowledge:
Visitors can explore the Gardening Village and the RHS Flower Show which will be filled with impressive floral displays and seasonal bargains. The RHS Flower Show will see some 65 specialist nurseries selling a wide range of plants and bulbs, with plenty of choice for sensational spring displays. Visitors can explore the Plant Village and Bulb Market, browsing the impressive selection from renowned suppliers. The ‘Grow to Show’ section is not to be missed, as it will feature 1,500 entries across 100 classes, from cut flowers to alpine succulents.
The Floral Art section is home to delightful displays created by talented floral arrangers. These stunning works of art will not only be a real visual treat for passers-by but will be judged as part of a competition organised by The National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS).
Familiar faces and special guests:
Visitors will get to listen to BBC Radio Two’s Nicki Chapman, who will host the Garden Theatre, alongside special guests like BBC Gardeners’ World presenters Adam Frost, Rachel de Thame, and Arit Anderson. They can learn some gardening tips and tricks from experts like celebrity florist Jonathan Moseley and plant-based nature therapist Ellen Mary.
On your marks, get set, and bake:
The Great Malvern Cake Off tent will be hosted by Chris Bavin who will present some baking demonstrations and question-and-answer sessions including celebrities from The Great British Bake Off, such as Giuseppe Dell'Anno and Briony May Williams.
Bring your four-legged friends along:
For the first time, visitors can bring their four-legged friend along on 29 September to enjoy the seasonal fun. Welcoming well-behaved dogs on short, non-retractable leads, there will be a dedicated Dog Show held in the World of Animals area, with fun, informal categories such as ‘waggiest tail’ and ‘dog most like its owner’ that visitors can enter or simply watch and enjoy the fun.
Enjoy the all-new Tipple Zone:
More new features at this year’s show include the Tipple Zone, where visitors can enjoy samples from leading spirits, cider and rum producers as well as the opportunity to chat with them about their craft, purchase bottles to take home and enjoy live music.
Go back in time at the Vintage Village:
Visitors will be transported back in time to the golden days at the Vintage Village, for this year’s show with a bigger area featuring live bands performing toe-tapping music throughout the long weekend.
Dance fans can partake in one of the free dance lessons throughout the weekend and learn dances from the 40s and 50s. The former Strictly Come Dancing star, actor, professional dancer and choreographer, Kevin Clifton will dazzle visitors with his dancing skills at the Vintage Village on Saturday. Dress up in vintage attire for the ‘Best Dressed’ competition or enjoy classic fairground rides and games in the new Vintage Fairground.
Shop ‘til you drop:
A unique shopping experience awaits at this year’s show where shoppers will find end-of-season bargains, horticultural goods, handmade crafts, vintage treasures, top-quality artisan food and drink, and so much more. A specialist indoor food market will be the place to pick up tasty treats to take home.
The indoor shopping halls are a great place to find one-of-a-kind craft items, from over 150 arts and crafts exhibitors from the Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Cotswold Guilds (groups of professional, local designer-makers) to the Boffy Arts Market – a high-quality market with over 200 designer makers on its books including jewellers, wood turners, sculptures and metalsmiths.
Explore the world of animals:
For those visiting the show with children, there is plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained. The Family Green will host an exciting range of free entertainment and activities. Besides, children can get up close to meet an array of friendly animals, including dogs, miniature ponies, pygmy goats and sheep at the World of Animals area. The extremely popular Exotic Animals area will return to this year’s show, offering the chance to learn more about fascinating and unusual creatures, including reptiles, birds and mammals.
Tickets for the show cost £20 in advance, with children aged 16 and under free of charge. The tickets can be booked here: https://www.malvernautumn.co.uk/
