20–23 August 2026Victoria Park · Southport · PR8 1RX

SouthportFlower Show

One of England's most prestigious horticultural shows. Four days every August in Victoria Park, show gardens, champion flowers, celebrity appearances, food market, and competitive horticulture that takes year-round preparation.

Buy Tickets from £25 →Celebrity Schedule

20–23 Aug

When

Thu–Sun, August 2026

PR8 1RX

Where

Victoria Park

From £25

Tickets

Early bird online

Since 1924

Heritage

100+ years of shows

Terry's Take

The Flower Show, Honestly

I'll be honest: I went to the Southport Flower Show for the first time under duress. My wife wanted to go, I went along, and within about twenty minutes I was completely absorbed by the competitive horticulture section and had forgotten I'd been reluctant. That's the show's trick. It looks like it's for gardeners, and then it turns out to be for everyone.

The show gardens are genuinely impressive, the same level of craft you'd expect from Chelsea, in a park that Southport locals walk through every week without thinking about it. The competitive flower and vegetable classes are a revelation: the standard is extraordinary, the exhibitors have been preparing all year, and the judging takes it completely seriously. A prize-winning onion here is treated as seriously as a prize-winning garden. Rightly.

The food market is also excellent, regional producers, proper food, not the usual show fare. And the shopping for garden tools, accessories, plants, and gifts tends to be better quality than anything you'd find in a garden centre.

2026 brings The Lakeside Reset, a new wellness and wellbeing garden area. I'll reserve judgement until I see it, but the principle of adding more structured rest areas to a site you spend 6+ hours on is sound.

Go Thursday if you can, quieter, easier to move around, same show. Saturday is busy. Wear comfortable shoes. Bring something waterproof just in case.

New for 2026

The Lakeside Reset

New for 2026: a dedicated wellness and wellbeing garden area alongside the main show site. Designed to give visitors somewhere to slow down, sensory planting, water features, quiet seating. It's a sensible addition for a show that's been gradually expanding for over a century. More details will be published at southportflowershow.co.uk ahead of the show.

Who's Appearing

Celebrity Schedule 2026

Based on announced and expected appearances. Full programme confirmed at southportflowershow.co.uk. Day assignments may change.

Thursday

20 Aug

Adam Frost

BBC Gardeners' World presenter

Martin & Jill Fish

The Potting Shed, show daily

Opening day, quietest. Best day for first-timers.

Friday

21 Aug

Arit Anderson

BBC Gardeners' World presenter

Phil Vickery

Chef · cookery demonstrations

Good balance, busier than Thursday, calmer than the weekend.

Saturday

22 Aug

Anton Du Beke

Strictly Come Dancing

Andy Day

CBeebies · family entertainment

Busiest day. Arrive early or expect large crowds from 11am.

Sunday

23 Aug

Briony May Williams

Great British Bake Off

Martin & Jill Fish

The Potting Shed finale

Quieter afternoon. Some exhibitors sell off plants at reduced prices.

At the Show

What's There

🌹

Show Gardens

The centrepiece of the show. Full-scale designed gardens created specifically for the event, the same calibre of craft you'd see at Chelsea or Hampton Court. The brief changes each year; some years formal, some naturalistic, some contemporary. Give yourself time here.

🏆

Competitive Classes

The heart of the show. Classes for flowers (roses, dahlias, sweet peas, chrysanthemums), vegetables (leeks, onions, potatoes, runner beans), floral art, and more. Exhibitors compete nationally. The standard is exceptional. This is where the show's century of heritage lives.

🛍️

Show Shopping

Enormous range of exhibitors selling tools, plants, garden accessories, gifts, and specialist items you won't find elsewhere. Much better quality than a garden centre sale. Allow a proper hour for browsing, and a bag for what you buy.

🍽️

Food Market

Regional food and drink producers, street food, and specialist suppliers. Quality is consistently high. The food market has become one of the show's highlights in recent years, plan to eat lunch here rather than bringing a packed lunch.

🎭

Demonstrations

Live demonstrations from horticultural experts, chefs, and craftspeople. Cooking on the outdoor stage, planting and growing workshops, and specialist talks throughout the day. The celebrity appearances are part of this programme, check the programme when you arrive.

🌿

The Lakeside Reset

New for 2026: a dedicated wellness garden area with sensory planting, water features, and quiet seating. A place to step away from the crowds for half an hour. Particularly good for those who find large shows overwhelming, or who just want to sit somewhere green and quiet.

Which Day?

Choosing Your Day

⭐

Recommended

Thursday 20 Aug

Opening Day

Best for quiet browsing

Opening day is almost always the least crowded. Everything is fresh, exhibitors are enthusiastic, and you can take your time in the competitive classes without a crowd in the way. First-timers: go Thursday.

🌸

Good choice

Friday 21 Aug

Mid-Show

Good balance

Friday is busier than Thursday but calmer than the weekend. Good day for a relaxed visit. The food market is usually at its best Friday through Sunday, producers tend to bring more on the second day.

🎉

Book early

Saturday 22 Aug

Peak Day

Busiest, arrive early

The most popular day. Atmosphere is excellent, entertainment is at its best, Anton Du Beke is here, but the site is very busy. If Saturday is your only option: arrive at opening, head to the show gardens first before crowds build from 11am.

🌻

Bargains later

Sunday 23 Aug

Final Day

Quieter afternoon

Sunday morning is busy, but the afternoon quietens as visitors drift away. Some exhibitors sell off plants and produce at reduced prices toward the end of the day. A good option if you can't make Thursday or Friday.

Before You Go

Tickets & Prices

Early bird prices are significantly cheaper than gate prices. Book at southportflowershow.co.uk . Saturday tends to sell out.

Ticket	Early Bird	Gate Price	Notes
Adult Day Ticket	£25	—	Early bird online price. Children under 16 free.
Child (under 16)	Free	Free	With a paying adult
4-Day Patron Pass	£90	—	Online only. All four days.
Afternoon Tea + Entry	£55	—	Includes show entry + catering. Book early.
VIP Experience	£120	—	Full VIP package. Limited availability.

Prices shown are indicative 2026 early bird rates. Confirm at southportflowershow.co.uk before booking.

Getting There

Parking & Getting Here

Venue

Victoria Park, Southport, PR8 1RX

10–15 minute walk from Southport town centre (Lord Street)

15 minute walk from Southport railway station

Follow show signage from town centre, well posted during show week

Parking

Park-and-ride from Birkdale Common, PR8 2LX, runs during the show

Town centre car parks: 10–15 min walk to Victoria Park

Limited on-site parking at PR8 1RX, sold through the website, books fast

Train to Southport (Merseyrail from Liverpool Central) + 15 min walk is the easiest option

Tickets

Adult day ticket: £25 early bird online. Children under 16 free.

4-day Patron Pass: £90 online. Afternoon Tea + entry from £55.

Saturday sells out. Book early if that's your day.

Book via Ticket Quarter at southportflowershow.co.uk

What to Bring

Comfortable walking shoes, the site is large and mostly grass

Light waterproof. August in Lancashire, always prepared

Sun cream for warm days on an open site

Cash and/or card, most exhibitors accept both

Bags for purchases, exhibitors often don't provide them

A plan, it's a big show, some people find a rough priority order helpful

First Timer's Order of the Day

What Terry's learned after going more times than he planned to.

Arrive at opening (9am). Head straight to the show gardens before the crowds build. This is where you need the most space and time.

Competitive classes next, flowers and vegetables. Before 11am is when the displays are at their best and the halls are quieter.

Early lunch at the food market, before the 12–2pm rush. The queues double from noon onwards.

Shopping in the afternoon, exhibitors are settled and less rushed than opening. This is when conversations happen.

Celebrity appearance / main stage entertainment after lunch. Check the day's programme at the entrance when you arrive.

The Lakeside Reset (new 2026) for a 20-minute break before the afternoon session. Your feet will thank you.

Staying in Southport for the Flower Show

Eating Out

Show week in August is busy across Southport. If you're eating out in the evening, book in advance, particularly for Thursday and Saturday nights when the show is at full attendance. Lord Street has the widest restaurant choice (10 minutes from Victoria Park). Birkdale village is excellent for dinner and tends to be slightly less hectic than the town centre.

Restaurant Guide

Hotels & Accommodation

Flower Show week fills Southport's accommodation fast, particularly for Thursday and Friday nights. Book well ahead if you're planning to stay. Town centre hotels on Lord Street are the most convenient. Birkdale B&Bs are good value and well located for both the show site and Birkdale's independent restaurants.

Hotels in Southport

Bank Holiday Weekend

And Then There's the Air Show

The Southport Air Show is 29–30 August 2026, the Bank Holiday weekend, just one week after the Flower Show. Free event. 100,000+ people. The display line runs along the beach and the aircraft fly at close range. If you're in Southport in late August, you could honestly do both and make a proper trip of it.

Air Show Guide →Book a Hotel

Hidden Disabilities

Sensory & Accessibility Information

SouthportGuide is a Sunflower member

The Southport Flower Show is a large outdoor event. Contact the show organisers via southportflowershow.co.uk ahead of your visit if you have specific accessibility requirements. About our accessibility commitment

Noise Level

Moderate

Live music stages, PA announcements, general show ambience. Avoidable by staying in the show gardens away from entertainment areas.

Crowd Density

High

Ticketed site but busy, particularly on Saturday. Thursday is the quietest day by a significant margin.

Potential Sensory Triggers

PA announcements across the siteCelebrity stage noiseBusy food market areaUnexpected queues at busy exhibitsSaturday afternoon crowd peaks

Quiet Space

The show gardens themselves — the designed gardens created for the event — are relatively calm and away from the main entertainment zones. Head there first before the crowds build.

Low-sensory visit tip

Thursday (opening day) is consistently the quietest. Arrive at 10am, go to the show gardens first, avoid the celebrity stage and food market until after 2pm when they are better managed. Children under 16 are free, so this is one of the most accessible family events in the Southport calendar.

Autism-friendly Southport guide Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

Common Questions

Southport Flower Show. FAQs

When is the Southport Flower Show 2026?

The Southport Flower Show 2026 runs from Thursday 20 August to Sunday 23 August 2026. Four days at Victoria Park, Southport. The show typically opens at 9am and closes at 6pm Thursday to Saturday, with an earlier close on Sunday.

Where is the Southport Flower Show?

Victoria Park, Southport. The postcode is PR8 1RX. Victoria Park is on the eastern edge of Southport town centre, approximately 15 minutes' walk from Southport railway station and 10 minutes' walk from Lord Street.

How much are Southport Flower Show 2026 tickets?

Early bird adult day tickets are £25 online. Children under 16 are free with a paying adult. The 4-day Patron Pass is £90 online. Afternoon Tea packages start at £55 (includes entry). Book at southportflowershow.co.uk via Ticket Quarter.

Is there parking at the Southport Flower Show?

Victoria Park has limited on-site parking (PR8 1RX). Most visitors use park-and-ride services operating during the show from Birkdale Common (PR8 2LX), or park in town centre car parks and walk approximately 10–15 minutes. Full parking details are published at southportflowershow.co.uk before the show.

What is the best day to go to the Southport Flower Show?

Thursday (opening day) is consistently the quietest. Everything is fresh, exhibitors are at their most enthusiastic, and you can take your time in the competitive classes without crowds. First-timers should go Thursday. Saturday is the busiest day, arrive early if that's your only option.

What should I wear to the Southport Flower Show?

Comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable, the site is large and mostly on grass. August weather in Lancashire can be warm and sunny, cool and rainy, or both on the same day. Bring layers and a waterproof. Sun cream for warm days. Avoid heels on the grass.

How do I get to the Southport Flower Show without a car?

Train to Southport station (Merseyrail from Liverpool Central, approximately 45 minutes), then 15 minutes' walk or a short bus ride to Victoria Park. Shuttle buses usually operate from the town centre during the show. The show also publishes cycling routes from Southport station.

What's at the Southport Flower Show?

Show gardens (Chelsea-calibre designed gardens created for the event), competitive flower and vegetable classes (the heart of the show), a large shopping area of exhibitors, a regional food and drink market, live demonstrations, celebrity appearances, and live entertainment. The competitive horticulture is the bit that surprises first-timers most.