August 2026Victoria Park · Southport

SouthportFlower Show

One of England's most prestigious horticultural shows. Four days every August in Victoria Park — show gardens, champion flowers, food market, and the kind of horticultural competition that takes year-round preparation.

Buy Tickets →What to Expect

August 2026

When

4 days, third week

PR8 2LG

Where

Victoria Park

£18–£25

Tickets

Book 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 completely forgotten that 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 all completely seriously. A prize-winning onion here is taken as seriously as a prize-winning garden. Rightly.

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

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

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, in Victoria Park. The brief each year changes; some years are formal, some naturalistic, some contemporary.

🏆

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. The judging is serious. This is where the show's century of heritage lives.

🛍️

Show Shopping

An 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.

🍽️

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 show's outdoor stage, planting and growing workshops, and specialist talks throughout the day. Check the programme when you arrive.

🎵

Live Entertainment

Music and performance throughout the site. The main entertainment stage runs from mid-morning to early evening. Family-oriented entertainment in a dedicated area. The atmosphere in the afternoon on a warm day is genuinely lovely.

Which Day?

Choosing Your Day

⭐

Recommended

Thursday

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 on a Thursday.

🌸

Good choice

Friday

Good balance

Friday is busier than Thursday but not as hectic as the weekend. Good day for a relaxed visit. The food market is usually at its best Friday through Sunday.

🎉

Book early

Saturday

Busiest — arrive early

The most popular day by some margin. Atmosphere is excellent, entertainment is at its best, but the site is very busy. If Saturday is your only option: arrive at opening, head to the show gardens first (crowds build from mid-morning).

🌻

Bargains later

Sunday

Quieter in afternoon

Sunday morning can be busy, but the afternoon quietens as people 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 it Thursday or Friday.

Before You Go

Practical Information

Venue

Victoria Park, Southport, PR8 2LG

10–15 minute walk from Southport town centre

15 minute walk from Southport railway station

Follow show signage from town centre — well posted

Parking & Transport

Park-and-ride services operate during the show (check southportflowershow.co.uk for locations)

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

Train to Southport station (Merseyrail from Liverpool): 15 min walk

Cycling: cycle parking at the show — Southport is flat

Tickets

Book online at southportflowershow.co.uk — cheaper than gate prices

Family and group discounts available online

Seniors and concession rates available

Season tickets available for all four days

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

Cash and/or card — most exhibitors accept both

Bags for purchases — exhibitors often don't provide them

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.

Hotels in Southport

Common Questions

Southport Flower Show — FAQs

When is the Southport Flower Show 2026?

The Southport Flower Show 2026 is typically held in the third week of August. Exact dates for 2026 will be confirmed at southportflowershow.co.uk — check there for the official announcement. The show traditionally runs Thursday to Sunday over four days.

Where is the Southport Flower Show?

Victoria Park, Southport. The postcode is PR8 2LG. Victoria Park is a large public park on the eastern edge of Southport town centre, about 10 minutes' walk from Lord Street.

How much are Southport Flower Show tickets?

Ticket prices vary by day and category. Adult day tickets typically range from £18–£25, with reduced prices for seniors and concessions. Children under a certain age are often admitted free with a paying adult. Book online at southportflowershow.co.uk for the best prices — gate prices are usually higher.

Is there parking at the Southport Flower Show?

Victoria Park itself has limited parking. Most visitors use park-and-ride services that operate during the show, or park in town centre car parks and walk (approximately 10–15 minutes). The show organisers publish a full parking and transport guide each year — check southportflowershow.co.uk nearer the date.

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

Thursday (opening day) is typically the least crowded. Sunday is often quieter in the afternoon when early visitors leave. Saturday is the busiest day — arrive early if attending on Saturday. Weekday tickets are usually cheaper and less crowded than the weekend.

What should I wear to the Southport Flower Show?

The show is outdoors and covers a large site — comfortable walking shoes are essential. August in Lancashire can be warm and sunny or cool and rainy (often both on the same day). Bring layers and a light waterproof. Sun cream in warm weather. Avoid heels on the grass.

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

Train to Southport (Merseyrail Northern Line from Liverpool) then walk or take a short bus ride to Victoria Park — approximately 15–20 minutes on foot. Shuttle buses usually operate from the town centre. The show also publishes cycling routes from Southport station.

What's at the Southport Flower Show?

The show combines horticultural displays, show gardens, floral art competitions, a large food and drink market, shopping exhibitors (garden tools, accessories, gifts), demonstrations, and live entertainment. The champion flower and vegetable competitions are the heart of the event — the standard is extremely high.