Events & Entertainment, New Forest | Posted on April 27th, 2026 | return to news

Spring into BBC Gardeners’ World event at Beaulieu

To be held on 1–3 May at Beaulieu, the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair will be bursting with flowers and plants to wow visitors.

“Gardening, growing and outdoor living are our absolute favourite subjects,” said Lucy Ashworth about the upcoming BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair.

Ashworth, who is the event director at Immediate Live, organisers of the Spring Fair, added: “And we can’t wait to celebrate this special time of year at the Spring Fair.”

To be held on 1–3 May at Beaulieu, the Spring Fair will burst with flowers and plants. It also offers visitors tempting eats and drinks to taste and tipple, tuck into or take home.

Good Food Market 

For instance, the Spring Fair’s Good Food Market will feature a wide range of artisan and small-batch producers selling fresh baked goods, cheese, honey and preserves, coffee, craft spirits, chocolates and more. Meet the makers, learn more about their products and enjoy some exclusive special offers.

More than 30 specialist plant nurseries 

Other highlights at the Spring Fair include the Neighbourhood of Gardens and a new talks area featuring David Austin Roses from headline sponsor Hillier, plus further Showcase Gardens, Beautiful Borders and floral displays, and more than 30 specialist plant nurseries.

Gardening personalities

There will be garden tours and talks by plant experts, a design and landscaping advice clinic from the Association of Professional Landscapers, workshops and demonstrations, extensive plant and garden shopping, and appearances by BBC Gardeners’ World presenters Adam Frost (Friday), Frances Tophill (Saturday), Sue Kent and Ashley Edwards (both Sunday), the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine team and gardening personalities.

Food and drink

Hampshire Fare will be showcasing a selection of its members with a message to shop, cook and eat more sustainably by supporting the region’s producers and small businesses.
Hungry and thirsty visitors will find a tempting line-up of street food options, coffee stops, cocktail, fizz and wine bars, and a vintage tearoom.

At the Spring Table, sponsored by Regent Seven Seas Cruises, food and drink broadcaster and writer Andy Clarke will host seasonal tasting sessions and make botanical mocktails with garden-inspired ingredients.

New Forest distillers 820 Spirits will be introducing a range of gins and rum made with local blackberries, strawberries and sloes, and Beaulieu winery B58 will be sampling a selection of locally produced wine and cheese.

Make a metre matter 

Fancy growing your own food but don’t know where to start? BBC Newsround presenter and allotment grower De-Graft Mensah and garden designer and plant expert Lucy Chamberlain will be able to help with their ‘Make a Metre Matter Border’. Proving that even the smallest space can be a productive place, this eye-catching mini veg and wildlife plot will be packed with inspiration and ideas to try at home.

The Border is part of the BBC Gardeners’ World ‘Make a Metre Matter’ campaign, in which gardeners across the UK are transforming square metres of outside space for the good of the planet. Make a Metre Matter supports the 30by30 UK target to protect 30 per cent of land and sea for nature by 2030. De-Graft will be discussing Make a Metre Matter and his passion for growing food at the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Stage on Friday and Saturday and sharing his allotment story each day at the In Conversation Stage.

Lucy Chamberlain said: “Every single metre of a garden can be utilised for growing food or attracting beneficial creatures. Our Make a Metre Matter Border demonstrates all sorts of ways to help ensure your veg and edible growing patch is in harmony with the creatures of the world. De-Graft and I want Spring Fair visitors to really engage with the Border, and we’ll be inviting them to crush aromatic herbs between their fingers, taste peppery salad leaves and spot pollinators at work.”

Inspiration flourishes

Food and flower grower Helen Hutchings Cox will be sharing ways to work with wildlife to increase your garden harvest.

Experienced local growers from the National Vegetable Society will be creating an edible plant display and sharing their expert knowledge about all things ‘grow your own’.

For even more inspiration, take a tour around Beaulieu’s Victorian Kitchen Garden with one of the Spring Fair’s plant experts. Restored to its 1872 layout, this garden and its century-old vine house still supply Palace House with seasonal vegetables, fruit and flowers.

Enjoy your day in the great outdoors

Lucy Ashworth added: “With so much to do and see, eat and drink, learn and enjoy, visitors can look forward to a wonderful day out. Whether you spend every minute you can in the garden, are new to gardening, or just want to enjoy a fantastic day in the great outdoors, the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair has something for everyone. Every ticket comes with full access to Beaulieu’s stunning grounds, gardens and attractions, like Palace House and the National Motor Museum, so book today and come and join the fun.”

Volunteers from Maggie’s Cancer Care will be hosting a Plant Crèche for easy plant shopping, and there’s a Wheelbarrow Porter Service for heavy items. Family visitors can enjoy vintage games, tractors and Land Rovers in the Spring Fair arena, a ride on the Beaulieu Monorail, and the Little Beaulieu adventure play area.

The BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair takes place at Beaulieu in the New Forest, Hampshire, from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 May.

Tickets are on sale at www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com. BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine subscribers and Hillier Garden Club members receive ticket discounts and access to the Club Lounge, and there’s a VIP Lounge for VIP Extra ticket holders. Parking at Beaulieu is free, and well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the Fair’s outside areas.