Blenheim Palace Flower Show opens tomorrow

Thousands of visitors will be descending on The Blenheim Palace Flower Show tomorrow (Friday) to see the very best of gardening in the UK in one of the country’s most stunning locations.

Over 300 exhibitors will be at the show, which will be opened by the Queen of British baking, Mary Berry, when it returns to the grounds of the Oxfordshire stately home from Friday to Sunday (June 19-21).

Packed with inspiration and masses of vibrant colour, the three-day event will feature quality plants, trees and shrubs as well as great products, gadgets and structures to transform your outdoor space into your own personal haven.

Matt Upson, Director of show organiser Aztec Events, said: “With just hours to go the excitement is really growing. We are hoping to attract around 35,000 visitors over the three days which demonstrates that The Blenheim Palace Flower Show has become a firm fixture as one of the most popular events in the gardening calendar. It is right up there with Chelsea and Hampton Court as a must-see event for gardening enthusiasts.”

As well as viewing the great floral displays, visitors can also explore the Palace’s 2,000 acres of landscaped parkland, pleasure and formal gardens at no extra charge.

To join in the palace’s events marking the 50th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill’s death, the show will be paying homage to the wartime hero and great British icon who was born at Blenheim.

At the heart of the much-anticipated event will be a 25,000 square foot ‘Victory Pavilion’ featuring over 40 stunning floral displays and a huge selection of plants from the UK’s finest nurseries available at special event prices.

Elsewhere, visitors can enjoy a stroll down ‘Winston’s Way’ and ‘Churchill’s Crescent’ to discover the inspiring show gardens displaying breath-taking outdoor spaces by some of the UK’s finest landscape designers, browse and purchase the latest products or indulge in some of the finest foods and nibbles.

While Mary Berry’s interest in cooking led her to a career as one of the nation’s favourite cookery writers and broadcasters, she has a passion for growing her own culinary herbs, fruit and vegetables – so certainly knows her way around a potting shed.

Mary said: “I’m thrilled to be opening the Blenheim Palace Flower Show as gardening is a huge passion of mine. I am almost as happy in a garden as I am in a kitchen. I find it very relaxing and enjoy nothing more than cooking the produce we’ve grown. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing the amazing floral displays from some of the country’s leading nurseries as well as being inspired by the fantastic show gardens.”

Firms showcasing their work include show partner Aston Martin Works, Artic Cabins, Cotswolds Garden Flowers and Derbyshire Bonsai, as well as Daffodil Fudge, Farrow and Ball and Kit & Kaboodal.
For more information visit: www.blenheimflowershow.co.uk. Tickets on the gate are £12.80 for adults and £6.60 for children aged five-16 Concessions and family tickets are also available.

PAUL SMITH ASSOCIATES
18th June 2015