RHS Malvern Spring Festival returns to Three Counties Showground from Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 May 2026, with a host of celebrity guests, gorgeous gardens and fresh new features – with this year's theme being 'Roots of the Future'.
SoGlos rounds up the highlights...
New features at RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2026
There are two new features at RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2026, giving gardeners a chance to win two new awards.
Blooming Borders offers 'experienced and emerging gardeners the chance to express their creativity and skill in a new way', with judges looking for outstanding quality and imagination in this new RHS-judged show garden category.
While never-before-seen feature, Floral Tablescaping, will see five garden sheds individually styled with tablescapes featuring flowers, foliage, plants and botanicals to celebrate 'the simple pleasures of flowers at a table' – with a brand-new RHS award up for grabs for the winning tablescape.
There's a brand-new feature garden from Cheltenham designer, Martyn Wilson, showcasing the surprising benefits of clay soil, too – with demonstrations, planting displays and plenty of practical inspiration.
See what's new this year at rhsmalvern.co.uk/whats-on/whats-new-2026.
Celebrity guests at RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2026
RHS Malvern Spring Festival always boasts a star-studded lineup and 2026 is no exception.
Gardening greats on the lineup this year include Alan Titchmarsh, Monty Don, Adam Frost, Dame Mary Berry, Francis Tophill and Jonathan Moseley, with Nicki Chapman hosting the Garden Theatre and Martin and Jill Fish hosting the Potting Shed.
In the Festival of Houseplants Theatre, guests can hear from The Jungle Haven's Claire Lowrie; Earth Champion's Adam Critien; Ladybird Plantcare's Tessa Cobley; Forest Interior's Megan Warren-Davis; and Alina Hibbert, with Mr Plant Geek, Michael Perry, hosting.
While foodie fans won't want to miss Raymond Blanc, Jekka McVicar and Huw Richards in the Kitchen Theatre with Mark Diacomo – with local chef George Urens from PIT Kitchen in the Cotswolds and Mark Stinchcombe from Eckington Manor also cooking live across the weekend.
See the full lineup at rhsmalvern.co.uk/whats-on/special-guests.
Shopping and eating at RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2026
Visitor favourite, the Floral Marquee, has more exhibitors than ever before, with more than 70 of the UK's top nurseries giving shoppers the chance to buy direct from the growers and benefit from their expert care advice – while the Festival of Houseplants offers a curated selection of premium quality houseplants, rare specimens and accessories, too.
The Plant Village and Pavilions have a wide variety of seasonal plants and flowers in full bloom, as well as tools, machinery, garden furniture, water features, sculptures and even garden buildings like greenhouses and sheds. There's even a free plant creche and porter service, so you can leave your plant purchases in safe hands for the day, then collect them when you're ready to head home.
For foodies, there's artisan goods aplenty in the Food & Drink Pavilion, with everything from homemade chutneys to artisan alcohol to take home; with plenty of places to stop off for a bite to eat, including the new, drop-in Crocus Cafe, the Vintage Tea Room and the Festival Green, where you'll find loads of street food traders serving up a wide variety of local and international cuisine.
While the Country Living Pavilion, Shopping Halls and Antique and Retro Market have everything from furniture and antiques to jewellery, gifts, arts and crafts from small businesses and makers.
See which traders are coming to this year's event at rhsmalvern.co.uk/whats-on/shopping.
Family activities at RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2026
RHS Malvern Spring Festival is free to attend for children under 16-years-old – and there's plenty to keep little visitors entertained, with everything from crafty activities like willow weaving, to energetic dance workshops.
Budding gardeners can get their hands dirty in the mud kitchen or do some digging in the sandpit in the dedicated outdoor play area.
And for gardening-loving families with four-legged friends in tow, Sunday is Dog Day at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival, where well-behaved dogs on short leads can come along with their owners for free with a pre-bookable dog ticket.
See all of this year's family-friendly activities at rhsmalvern.co.uk/whats-on/family-fun.
Tickets for Malvern Spring Festival 2026
Tickets for RHS Malvern Spring Festival are on sale now, costing from £27 online in advance, or from £32 on the gate.
To book tickets, visit rhsmalvern.co.uk.
