Southport Flower Show's Centenary is just 100 days away

Southport Flower Show, sponsored by the Seventy Ninth Group, marks its centenary year this August – and there are exactly 100 days to go before the gates open to visitors for a fun filled day with flowers, food and family entertainment.

Southport Flower Show was first held in Victoria Park in 1924 and has been staged for 93 years since (with the exception of the Second World War and COVID-19). This year’s centenary show runs from Thursday 15 August until Sunday 18 August and features all the attractions which have made the event a popular fixture in the summer calendar.

As well as viewing the show gardens, amateur growers’ competitions and the famous Grand Floral Marquee, visitors can pick up tips from some of the best-known gardening experts in the country.

Celebrity guests include David Domoney, from Love Your Garden and resident gardener on ITV1’s This Morning and also Adam Frost from BBC Gardeners’ World.

Carole Baxter and George Anderson, who present the long-running BBC Two show Beechgrove Garden, will also be sharing their tips on growing beautiful flowers and plants in a Northern climate.

Southport also welcomes the UK’s leading young garden expert – Lee Connelly, who is well known to viewers of CBBC and Blue Peter as the Skinny Jean Gardener.

Kids under 16 go free to Southport Flower Show, when they are accompanied by a paying adult and there is plenty for younger visitors to see and do.

The centenary event sees the return of Children’s TV favourite Justin Fletcher, who has entertained an entire generation of kids with his hit shows including Justin’s House and Something Special on CBeebies.

Every day of the show there is a programme of family entertainment in the arena including live music, show jumping with champion Geoff Billington and a performance by the West Lancs Dog display team, plus the chance to browse through everything you could want for your home and garden in the Shopping Village.

In the demonstration kitchen, guests can savour live master classes by chef Matt Tebbutt, from the BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, and Phil Vickery from ITV’s This Morning.

There will also be a special 100th anniversary dessert to sample, designed by Southport baker Jemma Melvin, who created the Platinum Pudding, the official dish for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

Early bird tickets for Southport Flower Show are now on sale at a discount price and there are opportunities to snap up VIP hospitality passes and afternoon teas. This year the Gala Preview Evening will return on Wednesday 14 August to launch this year’s show. Ticket holders to this black-tie evening can enjoy fizz on arrival in our Grand Floral Marquee followed by a 3 course meal, entertainment and a flexible day ticket to the show.

Visitors are welcome to bring along their pet dogs to the show and waste bins are located throughout the showground plus water bowl stations for our thirsty four-legged visitors.

Alan Adams, General Manager of Southport Flower Show, says:

“All of us involved in Southport Flower Show are aware of the special place it has in the town’s history and we are proud to be putting together the centenary show. We know that our visitors this summer will have a fantastic day out and we look forward to celebrating our special birthday with everyone.”

How to get to the show and where to park

The show runs from Thursday 15 until Sunday 18 August and the address is Victoria Park, Southport, PR8 1RX.

Parking is clearly signposted upon arrival into Southport and is available for an all-day rate of £10 in two main public parking areas. Princes Park is close to the show and Birkdale Common is located a short distance from the show and has a regular Park and Ride Service. The drop off/pick up point is close to Duke Street Gate. All parking areas are clearly signposted in and around Southport.

Tickets and opening times – and when the big sell off starts on Sunday

Advance early bird tickets can be purchased online until midnight Wednesday 14 August. Gate price is £29. Children are free with a paying adult. Late entry ticket available for £18 after 3pm.

Opening times are 10am until 6pm (5pm Sunday).

The Sell Off bell is sounded at 4pm on Sunday – which is when all the plants from the show gardens are sold at large discounts.