Biggest RHS Flower Shows innovations for a generation to reach new audiences and inspire more people to get gardening
There are big changes afoot for the RHS flower shows. The world-renown shows are to to take place at some to stunning new locations around the country, and work with more communities and schools.
In the future, well-loved RHS shows will tour to new locations to promote gardening to as many people as possible. The changes will be a catalyst for new content for an exciting visitor experience.
Whilst RHS Chelsea Flower Show as the world’s greatest and most famous gardening event will stay as it is, RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival will become a biennial event in two years with a new Show taking place in 2026 in the historic grounds of Badminton Estate, in Gloucestershire, returning to Hampton Court Palace in 2027. The RHS Shows will remain at Hampton Court Palace for 2024 and 2025.
After 2024, its 25th anniversary, RHS Flower Show Tatton Park will return to the site every three years, with a 2025 RHS Show happening at Wentworth Woodhouse, one of the grandest stately homes in the country in Sheffield, and 2026 RHS Show taking place on the Sandringham Estate, the private country retreat of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The first RHS Urban Show took place in Manchester earlier this month and there will be another urban show announced for a new location next year shortly. The RHS urban show diversifies from the traditional RHS Shows model with more focus on gardening for small spaces and community involvement. RHS Malvern Spring Festival will remain the same.
The changes will enable the RHS to deliver world class horticulture to the doorsteps of members who may not have an RHS Garden near them and creating Shows in fixed venue sites means better sustainability opportunities too.
Says RHS Director General Clare Matterson: “Our RHS shows are without a doubt the best horticultural events in the world, however we must not and should not stand still. We owe it to the horticultural world, our invaluable RHS members, our visitors and our nation of gardeners to look at how and what we can do to create new content, work with new contributors and find ways to generate interest and inspiration both within our current much loved British events and in new locations with new Shows to work with new populations and people.
“These are some of the biggest changes we’ve made to our Shows in a generation and we’re delighted to be extending our reach and making the RHS more accessible and welcoming to more people.
“We want to inspire current and new audiences with world class horticulture and provide access to the UK’s best plants people to help even more people garden and grow.”
RHS Director of Shows, Commercial and Innovation, Helena Pettit adds: “We have been working with our existing partners over the last few years to ensure that we can continue to deliver the amazing RHS Shows in the iconic sites, whilst innovating in new sites and having the ability to grow the number of communities, schools, designers, nurseries and all stakeholders that the RHS collaborates with.
“We’re excited about the opportunities these new partnerships in new locations will offer and will be able to get really creative with ideas and content for our visitors. At the same time we are delighted that we can continue to work with Historic Royal Palaces and Tatton Park to deliver these much loved events.
“We look forward to working with current friends and new to innovate and create the best horticultural events in the world.”