Preparations well underway for 2025 Southport Flower Show
Preparations are well underway for 2025 Southport Flower Show starting on Thursday. Final touches are being added to the displays by scores of exhibitors in scorching conditions in the main marquee.
Southport Flower Show, sponsored by Halliwell Jones Kia Southport, returns this summer with TV stars, celebrity chefs and top gardening experts heading up another fun-filled programme of family entertainment.
Every August more than 50,000 visitors head to the show venue at Victoria Park, in the heart of the seaside town, for the UK’s largest independent flower show.
Celebrity guests this year includeKelvin and Liz Fletcher, the former TV actors who won the hearts of ITV viewers with the hit seriesFletchers’ Family Farm,documenting life with their four children on a 120-acre farm in the Peak District.
They are joined on the bill byStrictly Come Dancingwinner and BBC cameramanHamza Yassin,punk iconToyah Willcox, fitness guruZack George (aka Steelin last year’sGladiators’revival on the BBC), andWilderness FamilyauthorChristian Lewis.
Southport visitors will be able to learn from some of the best-known gardening experts in the field, including the return ofDavid Domoney, familiar to millions as the resident gardener on ITV1’sThis Morning.
Also appearing areCarole BaxterandGeorge Anderson, presenters of BBC Two’s long-running prime time showThe Beechgrove Garden, and horticulturistNick Bailey, a regular contributor to BBCGardeners’ World. There is also the return of thePotting Shedwith gardening authorsMartin and Jill Fish.
As well as the spectacular show gardens - 13 in total, fantastic displays in the amateur growers’ competitions and the famous Grand Floral Marquee, Southport has become known as a foodies’ destination in recent years, with celebrity chefs showcasing their skills in the demonstration kitchen, Sponsored by Lancashire Tea and Nationwide Produce.
TV chefs and presentersRosemary ShragerandPhil Vickerywill star in the kitchen this year, along withCherish Finden, judge onBake Off: The Professionals, plus self-taught home bakerNancy Birtwistle, winner ofGreat British Bake Off2014.
Kids go free at Southport Flower Show and there is plenty to keep younger visitors happy, including performances by children’s TV starJustin Fletcher, known to a generation of CBeebies viewers asMr Tumble.Southport has expanded the programme of activities this year, which include:
The Kids’ Potting Shed, supported by Rotary Eco Group
Wetland Conservation, supported by Martin Mere
Forest School, supported by Gang of Elk
Scarecrow Festival, supported by Waterstones
Live Bee Hive/Bee exhibition, supported by National Museums Limited
Meet the Alpacas, supported by Natterjack Alpacas
Children’s Yoga, supported by Enchanted Fields
Doodle Wall
Tennis Skills with Sam Jalloh
Southport Flower Show has been held in the town since 1924 and is operated by a local charity with proceeds from the event go towards the preservation and maintenance of the show’s venue, Victoria Park. Last summer the show celebrated its centenary year but organisers say this year’s event will be "better than ever".
Southport residents living in the PR8 and PR9 postcode areas are being offered discounted tickets for the 2025 show until 11.59pm on Wednesday 13thAugust as organisers aim to thank the local community for its support.
Alan Adams, General Manager of Southport Flower Show, says: “We had a fantastic response to the 100th anniversary Southport Flower Show last year, and it was brilliant to see such huge support from the local community.
“Southport Flower Show is one of the highlights of the summer events calendar not just in this area, but in the UK. We can promise our visitors a great value day out for all the family to enjoy.”
The show runs from Thursday 14 August until Sunday 17 August. Visitors are welcome to bring along their pet dogs and waste bins are located throughout the showground plus water bowl stations.
Preview filming - Wednesday 13th August
Opportunities for preview filming and photography around the gardens plus interviews with Southport Flower Show managers. Access to the site can be arranged in advance with the press office. The gardening and cookery experts will be appearing across all four days of the show and there may be opportunities for interviews at the site during the preview days.
Here are the dates when the celebrity guests will appear this year at Southport:
Day 1 - Thursday 14th August
Kelvin and Liz Fletcher -Emmerdale actor Kelvin and his actress wife Liz will talk about life with their four children on a Peak District farm during two Q&As in the Garden Theatre at 12pm and 3pm.
Christian Lewis- the ex-paratrooper will share the inspiring story of how a trek around the coast of the UK changed his life during a talk in the Garden Theatre at 1pm.
Rosemary Shrageris the celebrity guest in the Cookery Theatre on Thursday, where her demonstration times are 12pm and 3pm.
Expert growerDavid Domoneywill be in the Garden Theatre at 11am and 2pm.
At 1pm in the Garden Theatre, author and explorerChristian Lewiswill give a talk about life with his Wilderness Family.
Martin and Jill Fishwill be hosts at the Potting Shed stage in Grand Floral Marquee B on Thursday and on each of the other three days of the show, where visitors can ask questions of gardening experts and meet top growers.
Day 2 - Friday 15th August (Ladies’ Day)
Toyah Willcox -The singer and actress will appear at theGarden Theatre for a Q&A with Paul Crone at 11am and 1pm
Zack George- The fitness expert and ‘Steel’ in the BBC’s reboot of Gladiators will share strategies for success in the Garden Theatre at 4pm.
In the Cookery Theatre, the celebrity chef is ITV This Morning favourite,Phil Vickery, appearing at 12pm and 3pm.
David Domoneyreturns for a second day in the Garden Theatre, at 12pm and 3pm.
Also in the same venue at 2pm areCarole Baxter and George Andersonof Beechgrove Garden fame.
Day 3 - Saturday 16th August
Hamza Yassin -Q&A session with the Strictly winner and expert on the natural world in the Garden Theatre at 12pm and 3pm
Nancy Birtwhistle- The GBBO winner will demonstrate her baking skills in the Cookery Theatre (sponsored by Lancashire Tea and Nationwide Produce) at 12pm and 3pm.
Also appearing in the Cookery Theatre at 11am and 1pm will be pastry chefCherish Finden, judge on Bake Off: The Professionals.
BBC Gardeners’ World broadcasterNick Baileywill answer questions in the Garden Theatre at 1pm.
Carole Baxter and George Andersonreturn to the Garden Theatre to give another talk at 11am.
Day 4 - Sunday 17th August
Justin Fletcher -Stage shows by the CBBC star in Garden Theatre at 11am and 1pm
In the Cookery Theatre will beCharli Thomlinsonat 11am,Dhruv Baker(2010 Masterchef winner) at 12pm andHayley Tulley(GBBO: The Professionals) at 1pm.
The Big Sell Off- Visitors can buy plants from the show at discount prices from 4pm.
More useful information:
When and where - and parking
The show runs from Thursday 14 until Sunday 17 August and the opening times are 10am - 6pm (5pm Sunday). The address is Victoria Park, Southport, PR8 1RX.
Parking is signposted upon arrival into Southport and is available 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 the big sell off
Book tickets online -https://www.southportflowershow.co.uk/including a saving on the gate price with early bird tickets (available until midnight Wednesday 13 August). Children are free with a paying adult.
Tickets for Afternoon Tea in the Summer Pavilion, Ladies’ Day (Friday), the Welcome VIP Buffet (Thursday), and the VIP Experience (Saturday) have now sold out.
The Sell Off starts at 4pm on Sunday with visitors able to buy plants from the show at large discounts.
2026 show dates, Thursday 20th– Sunday 23rdAugust.