The English Country Garden Festival will be a celebration of the horticultural heritage held within the plantsman’s paradise of the Bishop’s Palace and its 14-acres of stunning gardens.
Celebrating the English Country Garden on the weekend of the Queen’s 90th birthday commemorations, visitors can experience the Palace Gardens filled with talks, stalls, hands-on demonstrations, refreshments, entertainment, top gardening personalities and new ideas on how to use and love their gardens.
In 2015 the inaugural Garden Festival was a huge success, featuring celebrity gardeners Alan Titchmarsh, Stephen Lacey and Christine Walkden among other notable names alongside stalls, entertainment and food.
The event will run from 10am – 5pm Friday to Sunday.
The general theme of festival will be The English Country Garden, and the grounds will be sub-divided into four themed zones: How Does My Garden Grow? (with specialist nurseries), Birds, Bugs and Bees (gardening for wildlife), Taking Care of my Garden (with maintenance, prevention, cures and supplies) and Enjoying my Garden (with leisure, pleasure, the decorative and inspired!).
This year’s industry-leading experts booked to speak during the event include: Roy Lancaster, who will open the event, followed by Mark Diaconoand Tom Hart Dyke, Clare Greenslade (Head Gardener of Hestercombe) and Jane Moore (Head Gardener at Bath Priory Hotel).
Visitors will also be able to take advantage of the ‘Drop-in Gardeners’ S.O.S’ which will allow amateur enthusiasts to ask any questions of the experienced professional garden team from The Bishop’s Palace and to view themed demonstrations on different garden dilemmas.
On Sunday 12th June all visitors, old and young alike will be encouraged to join the Grand Picnic to coincide with and celebrate the Queen’s 90thbirthday giant street party in London. Trestle tables and picnic blankets will be laid out near the Rose Garden so that guests can bring their own picnic lunch, or pre-order one of the Luxury Picnic Packs available from the café and enjoy a communal celebration accompanied by games, music and entertainment!
The Wells and District Floral Arts Society will also be honouring the Queen’s birthday with a special display.
Tickets are available from Friday 4th March online www.bishopspalace.org.uk by phone 01749 988 111 or from the Palace Shop.