The first Southport Flower Show was held in the 1920s, organised by local businessmen who wanted to celebrate the region’s horticulture.
And from that, it has grown into Britain’s largest independent flower show and one of the highlights of the North-West’s summer calendar. In recent years the event has expanded the programme to include celebrity guests Monty Don, Anton du Beke, Suranne Jones, Anita Rani, Carol Vorderman (to name but a few) and a food festival with celebrity chefs Simon Rimmer, Ainsley Harriott and Jean-Christophe Novelli.
Southport attracts tens of thousands of visitors every August to view inspirational show gardens, spectacular floral displays and learn how to grow your own with advice from the Allotment Association. Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli will open the 2019 show and launch a packed programme of entertainment. Kids go free to the show and children’s TV star Justin Fletcher is bringing his interactive stage act to amuse the show’s younger visitors on Sunday 18th August. Visitors can also enjoy dog displays in the outdoor arena, Ben Potter’s eagle and vulture experience, The Galloping Acrobatics and much more.
photo credit Oliver Halstead
It’s fun for all the family. Are your kids mad about Minecraft? They can look forward to the full Minecraft experience at this year’s show, including participating in Build Battle competitions, competing in exclusive Scavenger Hunt tournaments and meet MineVention’s very own ex-YouTuber Simon (aka SnakeDoctor). Gardeners’ Question Time presenters Matthew Wilson and Christine Walkden (The One Show) are among the experts from TV and radio on hand to share advice with visitors. We also have ITV This Morning and QVC’s Michael Perry (Mr Plant Geek) bringing his Weird and Wacky Plant Show. This is a visual journey of the fascinating plant world – from plants that move themselves to the miracle fruit that makes sour flavours taste sweet, the journey will shock, amaze and excite you.
photo credit Chris Jones, Meridian Photographic
This year, primary children across the North West are competing to design one of the show gardens and win funds to improve their school grounds. Organisers aim to turn the show into a giant garden party spread across the 34 acres of Victoria Park close to the centre of Southport. In the food village for 2019, there will be cooking demonstrations by Ellis Barrie, head chef of renowned Marram Grass restaurant in Anglesey and everybody’s favourite Scouse chef who featured and stole the show on the BBC 2’s Great British Menu. They are about to announce another TV favourite very soon, so keep a look out.
If that all didn’t sound good enough we have a special ticket offer for Independent Liverpool followers. Enter IL in the promo code box to receive your tickets for just £17 (that’s a saving of £9 based on the adult gate ticket). These tickets are flexible and can be used on any one of the show days. This year’s show opens on Thursday 15th August and runs for four days until Sunday 18th August. For information and to grab your tickets head to www.southportflowershow.co.uk.