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Coach companies or group organisers can enjoy savings of up to £9 per ticket* for groups of 8+ people

Three Counties has announced tickets are on sale for its 2024 events programme and is welcoming group bookings. Group organisers, tours and coach companies can now book for larger parties of visitors, with considerable savings, through The Ticket Factory – the showground’s ticketing partner for RHS Malvern Spring Festival, Royal Three Counties Show and Malvern Autumn Show.

Special-Interest Group Days Out

The iconic RHS Malvern Spring Festival, 9-12 May 2024, is a true celebration of all things gardening. As the opening RHS Flower Show of the season, it sets the tone for horticultural excellence and is bursting with inspiration for gardeners. With an ever-evolving array of themed areas each year, there’s a world of new discoveries awaiting garden enthusiasts with floral displays, stunning show gardens, expert nurseries and a jam-packed RHS Floral Marquee. Visitors can also gain inspiration from the roster of celebrity favourites giving informative demonstrations and talks on a variety of topics.

Find out more at www.rhsmalvern.co.uk

Committed to celebrating the best of farming, food and family fun, The Royal Three Counties Show, 14 -16 June 2024, provides the chance to immerse yourself in the countryside and rural life.  Watch exciting live performances in the Main Arena, encounter over 6,000 animals and learn all there is to know about livestock from their dedicated handlers, experience a world of flavours in the Food and Drink Festival, and listen to talks from renowned figures from the farming and culinary worlds with a lineup of celebrity guests.

Find out more at www.royalthreecounties.co.uk

Malvern Autumn Show, 27-29 September 2024, is dedicated to honouring the essence of autumn and is bursting with harvest fun. Here you can witness Guinness-World-Record-breaking produce at the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship, gain inspiration for seasonal planting in the prestigious RHS Flower Show, meet animals and their handlers in the World of Animals zone, and see talks by BBC Gardeners World presenters, experts, and much more in the Garden Theatre.

Find out more www.malvernautumn.co.uk

Facilities for Groups

Ample free coach parking is available and all coach drivers will be provided with a free ticket for access to the show. The Showground has upgraded its facilities to include a Mobiloo, and each event is accessible via flat, tarmac walkways. Each event offers a bookable restaurant with sittings throughout each day, alongside plenty of food and drink outlets catering for every taste and ample seating around the site for a bring-your-own picnic.

Information for Group Bookings at Three Counties

For Coach Touring Companies, Coach Operators, special-interest Societies, or Members Groups, more information on how to book group event tickets can be found at https://www.threecounties.co.uk/visitor-guide/groups/

Groups of 8+ people can save up to £9 per ticket* by booking in advance through The Ticket Factory

To book and take advantage of the saving, call our dedicated Groups booking line, hosted by The Ticket Factory, on 0800 358 0058 or email groups@theticketfactory.com

*Based on a comparison of gate tickets to advance group ticket prices. Prices vary per show and per show day. Prices are 2024. Group savings only available in advance.

Tickets are on sale for four fantastic events taking place at Three Counties Showground, Malvern, plus a brand-new membership offer available for 2024.

CountryTastic – 28 March, 2024 – The region’s most popular children’s event takes place each Easter and promises a fun-filled day of indoor and outdoor activities where kids can learn all about farming and the countryside through exploratory play, meet farmyard animals, enjoy tractor rides, and explore arts, crafts, nature and sports. The event’s theme for 2024 is “Farming Heroes”. As this event sells out every year, tickets are limited and only available in advance.

RHS Malvern Spring Festival – 9-12 May 2024 – This spectacular Festival wows gardening lovers with the very best plants and flowers, interesting talks and demos from BBC Gardeners World celebrities, expert growers and chefs, and immersive food and drink experiences. Visitors can see the first Show Gardens of the year at RHS Malvern, with a full offering of spectacular gardens showcasing new and emerging talent, inspirational in planting, design and scale. This year’s event theme is “Gardening For Change” and will include a whole host of imaginative features that promote planet-friendly gardening, community projects and the positive change visitors can make through a love of gardening.

Royal Three Counties Show – 14-16 June 2024 – The annual celebration of food and farming is back for 2024 with thrilling Main Area entertainment, the ever popular Countryside Arena, a dedicated Equine Village, thousands of animals to see, an artisan Food & Drink Festival, the very best countryside shopping and a whole host of celebrity guests, talks and live demonstrations.

Malvern Autumn Show – 27-29 September 2024 – The UK’s biggest harvest festival takes place each September at Three Counties Showground, bringing together the very best of the autumn season. Don’t miss the CANNA UK Giant Vegetables Championship, the prestigious RHS Flower Show where BBC Gardeners World presenters in the Garden Theatre, one of the country’s biggest Grow to Show competitions, outdoor and countryside shopping arcades and bags of family fun and entertainment.

By buying a ticket for a Three Counties event, visitors are helping to support Three Counties’ charitable objectives to promote agriculture and horticulture through its events programme and educational endeavors.

New Membership Offer

Three Counties has created an exciting new membership offer where, for just £75 per year or £25 per year if under 25 yrs, members can enjoy unlimited access to RHS Malvern Spring Festival, Royal Three Counties Show and Malvern Autumn Show – a potential saving of £223 per year. Three Counties members also benefit from friends and family discounts on tickets, enjoy use of the members areas at shows, and much more.

Take a look to find out more and buy tickets –

NEW 2024 membership programme – https://www.threecounties.co.uk/membership/

CountryTastic – https://www.countrytastic.co.uk/

RHS Malvern Spring Festival – https://www.rhsmalvern.co.uk/

Royal Three Counties Show – https://www.royalthreecounties.co.uk/

Malvern Autumn Show – https://www.malvernautumn.co.uk/

Get ready to tempt your taste buds and celebrate the vibrant local foodie scene, as the fabulous new Three Counties Food and Drink Festival makes its debut at Three Counties Showground, Malvern, on Saturday 29^th and Sunday 30^th July.

With an impressive line-up of artisan producers and fun attractions, alongside celebrity chefs, demonstrations, workshops and live entertainment, this exciting event promises to be a feast for all the senses and a super summer day out.

Here are six tasty reasons why you should mark your calendars and head to Malvern at the end of the month, where we can guarantee that you certainly won’t go home hungry!

1. Gain inspiration from celebrity guests

Prepare to see some great household names from the world of food, who will each take to the stage across the weekend to host demonstrations in the festival’s 500 seat Cookery Theatre. The line-up includes renowned TV chefs Rosemary Shrager, Jean Christophe Novelli and Matt Pritchard aka Dirty Vegan as well as Saturday Kitchen presenter Matt Tebbutt, Great British Bake Off winner and Strictly Come Dancing finalist John Whaite and 2022 MasterChef finalist Pookie. Eat Well For Less? presenter Chris Bavin, will host the Cookery Theatre across the whole weekend.

The Cookery Theatre is free and accessible to all ticketholders.

To see the full Celebrity schedule across the weekend, please visit https://www.threecountiesfoodfestival.com/celeb-chef-cookery-theatre/

2. Expand your knowledge and refine your palate.

Along with the celebrity guests, there will be plenty of opportunities for festival visitors to get hands on in a range of expert led interactive sessions. The festival has announced an exciting range of drinks workshops, including Coffee Tasting with Black Mountain Roast (10:45am daily), Spirit Tasting with Black Mountain Botanicals (1:30pm) and Disco Divas Cocktail Classes (3pm). Woodthorpe Wines will also be hosting wine tasting sessions with a certified Sommelier at 12pm each day.

Places for these exclusive sessions are strictly limited, and it is advisable to book online in advance to guarantee availability.

Tickets can be secured in advance at https://www.threecountiesfoodfestival.com/whats-on/

3. Enjoy a treasure trove of local flavours.

Immerse yourself in a world of local flavours as Three Counties Food and Drink Festival prepares to showcase over 150 traders from across Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and beyond. From artisan cheeses and delectable pastries to freshly brewed craft beers, delicious sweet treats, boutique distillers and independent smokeries to unique homeware gifts, designer crafts and outdoor and garden exhibitors, there is something for everyone to enjoy and what’s more, you’ll be supporting lots of local businesses.

Don’t miss the massive selection of award-winning street food, bars and cocktails on offer, with flavours from around the world.

Confirmed traders include lots of well-known favourites with The Beefy Boys, Divine Donuts, Severn & Wye Smokery, and many more. 

To see a full line up of who’ll be there, please head to https://www.threecountiesfoodfestival.com/a-z-list-of-traders/

4. Get the little ones involved

Three Counties Food and Drink Festival has plenty of activities and entertainment for younger visitors. For those aged 6 – 15, the Children’s Cookery School is sure to ignite a passion for food and cooking, with hands-on workshops hosted by talented tutors, young ones can learn how to make kitchen staples such as butter, cheese, ice cream and pasta.

Sessions cost just £4 per child and must be booked at the Cookery School on the day, on a first-come first-served basis.

Fun children’s activities include free arts and crafts sessions with Artventurers, along with a Circus School. Face painting, archery and fairground rides will also be available.

5. Enjoy the festival spirit with live music

No festival is complete without live music, and Three Counties Food and Drink Festival is no exception. The festival experience never truly begins until you sit down with tasty food and a cold beverage. Guests can soak up the atmosphere in the Street Food Area with bars, cocktails, chilled and hot drinks too with a mix of acoustic musicians such as Jules Benjamin and Jasper Malone, while Si Ellis will offer chilled DJ sets as audiences relax and enjoy their delicious food and drink finds.

To discover the full musical line up, please head to https://www.threecountiesfoodfestival.com/live-music/

5. Level up your grill skills

Summer is officially the season of backyard celebrations, and nothing can beat the sights and smells of live fire cooking. Therefore, BBQ enthusiasts won’t want to miss the chance to gain some inspiration from Savage BBQ. These talented pitmasters will impress with their Fire BBQ artistry as they host live Fire Cage Cooking demonstrations, with dishes such as Korean-style pulled pork and vegetable fritters.

What are you waiting for? Don’t miss this fantastic local addition to the festival calendar, and secure your place to taste and tipple your way around the Three Counties by booking your Advance tickets online today https://www.threecountiesfoodfestival.com

Advance tickets can be purchased at the discounted price of just £12.00 per adult and £8.00 per child (aged 6-16), with a family ticket costing £35.00 (2 adults and 2 children). Entrance for children aged 5 and under is FREE and everyone can enjoy FREE Parking and well-behaved dogs are also FREE.

A limited number of tickets will also be available to buy on arrival at the Three Counties Showground across the weekend on a first come, first served basis.

There’s plenty of family fun on offer to delight visitors of all ages at the Midlands’ newest food and drink festival, which takes place at Three Counties Showground, Malvern, next month.

The Three Counties Food and Drink Festival has already announced its sensational line up of celebrity guests taking to its 500-seat Cookery Theatre on Saturday 29^th and Sunday 30^th July, including renowned TV Chef Rosemary Shrager, The Great British Bake Off winner and Strictly Come Dancing fan favourite John Whaite, and Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt, amongst many others. Visitors can pop into these free demonstrations throughout the day and gain inspiration and top tips.

At the heart of the festival is a fantastic selection of over 150 local food and drink traders, including many award-winners. From delectable street food to tantalising cocktails, sweet treats and hot drinks, visitors to the Three Counties Food and Drink Festival will have the opportunity to savour the finest offerings from across the region and beyond. To compliment the culinary delights, local makers will showcase their crafts, homewares and garden products, providing a great shopping experience.

Summer is officially the season of cooking al fresco, and nothing can beat the sights and smells of live fire cooking. BBQ enthusiasts will want to head straight to the Savage BBQ feature area, which will host Fire Cage cooking demonstrations and will offer attendees the chance to witness the art of open-fire cooking with delicious demonstration dishes including Korean-style pulled pork, and vegetable fritters. Prepare to be amazed!

The festival also has activities which cater specifically to young visitors such as the Children’s Cookery School. These fun-filled sessions take place six times each day allowing budding chefs aged 6 – 15 to participate in exciting workshops led by talented tutors, and make foods such as butter, cheese, ice cream and pasta. These sessions cost just £4 per child and allow them to take home their delicious creations. Parents will need to be quick, as these sessions are booked on a first come first served basis on the day.

Additional free sessions for children include an arts and crafts station hosted by Artventurers, along with a Circus School for those wanting to brush up on their juggling and balancing skills. The festival grounds will be buzzing with excitement and adventure with archery, face painting and fairground rides, ensuring there is something for the whole family.

“We are committed to providing something for everybody at Three Counties Food and Drink Festival, from the large range of activities and workshops for all ages to making sure that we cater for all dietary requirements. We have introduced a key system to our list of food and drink traders to ensure that visitors who require gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan food can identify their favourite options clearly, and enjoy their visit.” said Bev Channell, Festival Organiser.

For visitors seeking a hands-on festival experience, the Three Counties Food and Drink Festival is offering them the chance to enhance their visit with immersive tasting sessions. Explore the world of coffee with Black Mountain Roast’s Coffee Tasting sessions, indulge in spirit tasting with Herefordshire-based Black Mountain Botanicals, or join the Disco Diva Cocktail Classes with Midsummer Nightcap for a lively mixology lesson. Wine enthusiasts can delight in Wine Tasting sessions presented by Woodthorpe Wines. Visitors can add these sessions to their Entry Ticket when booking in advance via the event website.

Tickets to the Three Counties Food and Drink Festival and its exclusive tasting sessions can be pre-booked via the website: https://www.threecountiesfoodfestival.com

Advance tickets start at just £12.00 per adult and £8.00 per child (aged 6-16), with a family ticket costing £35.00 (2 adults and 2 children). Children under 6 can attend the festival for free. Advance tickets also include FREE Parking.

Find out more here www.threecountiesfoodfestival.com

The Royal Three Counties Show returns to Malvern this summer, to showcase the diverse and delicious food, drink and countryside shopping from across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire at the Three Counties Showground from 16 – 18 June 2023. 

From asparagus to apples, potatoes to soft fruit, and wine to cheese, gin, beer and cider, the abundant three counties produce almost everything the UK does as a whole. This year, the Royal Three Counties Show will celebrate the finest produce at its popular Food and Drink Festival, featuring artisan producers, celebrity demos, competitions and delectable samples and sips across a range of experiences.  

A gastronomic weekend awaits in the Food and Drink Theatre, with demos by renowned chefs, cheesemakers and butchers showcasing artistry in every dish. Suki Pantal will add a tantalising twist to her daily demonstrations of spiced Indian cookery. While Ludlow Gin will mix up a range of cocktails sure to make most want to skip dinner and head straight for drinks, including espresso martinis with coffee event experts, Stubborn Rhino. 

On Friday, Wallers of Ledbury will judge the lamb carcasses competition and demonstrate butchery, offering expert insights into cooking different cuts of lamb at home. Putting the fun into fine dining on Friday and Sunday, Cheltenham’s Restaurant Journey will take visitors on a weird and wonderful journey through Heston-inspired innovation and the chemistry between science and food.  

Sunday will see the legendary England Rugby captain, Celebrity Masterchef winner and Gloucestershire Farmer Phil Vickery joining local cheese producers in the Cookery Theatre to showcase the versatility of this dairy delight. While connoisseurs won’t want to miss the daily cheesemaker slots, where samples of some of the UK’s finest cheeses are on offer. Topping off the Food and Drink Theatre line-up, Cotswold farming favourites, Kaleb Cooper and Adam Henson will be championing local food and drink produce in talks with chefs and cheesemakers.  

The sparkling drinks scene at the show has something to treat every taste too. Celebrating the booming UK wine industry – set to increase by 9.3% in 2023 – for the first time the Three Counties will introduce the English Wine Show, coinciding with English Wine Week (18 – 26 June). Visitors can browse trade stands from wine producers, including Aldwick Estate and Frome Valley Vineyard, and taste some of the finest wine this country has to offer. 

Those who prefer a heartier drink can head to the Cider and Perry Festival and bar in the same marquee, with local producers offering tastings and talks, alongside the International Cider and Perry Championship. Those more partial to sipping something with sparkles can stop by the Champagne Bar, where chilled glasses of bubbles accompany the main arena entertainment. 

And don’t miss another new addition – the Cocktail Lounge! Open on Saturday and Sunday, its talented mixologists will serve up favourite cocktails with flair, while guests enjoy the main arena entertainment from ringside seats. 

A brand-new Royal Parade will offer an exclusive countryside shopping experience, complete with champagne bar, hosting some of the finest luxury countrywear retailers and sporting suppliers, including Honri Hats, Juice Jewellery, Classique Feathers and Gundog Gin.

Over at the Countryside Arena, rural sports enthusiasts can pick up information and advice from BASC and the National Target Sports Association. Plus, there will be a wide range of stands selling small holding sundries, including Timber Flair chicken housing, luxury country homeware from Gloucestershire-based Homely British Comforts and Worcestershire-based Sabel Lane, and animal treats from Herefordshire’s My Pet Treats, and more!

All this as well as a packed programme of family entertainment, including the Red Devils parachute display team and Prince Philip Cup Pony Club Mounted Games, plus over 6,000 animals, including the iconic daily Grand Parade of Livestock, the National Rare & Minority Breeds Show on Sunday, spectacular show jumping and fascinating sheep dog and gun dog displays. For the full programme, see https://www.royalthreecounties.co.uk/

Jane Edwards, Head of Shows at Three Counties Showground, said: “The food and drink festival at this year’s Royal Three Counties Show features more food, drink and shopping experiences and entertainment than ever before. From the English Wine Show and Cider and Perry Festival to competitions and tradestands featuring over 80 artisan producers, delicacies and tantalising street food, the show celebrates the very best of British produce and promises a true feast for the senses and wonderful family day out!” 

Tickets are on sale now, costing just £23 in advance and children under 16 are free of charge. To see the full programme and book tickets visit www.royalthreecounties.co.uk or call 01684 584 924. 

Today marks the launch of the RHS Show season across the UK, the much-anticipated start of RHS Malvern Spring Festival at Three Counties Showground in Malvern, Worcestershire, running until Sunday 14^th May.

Boasting five newly-created show gardens, alongside three feature gardens, this year’s festival has a theme of Gardening For Everyone and offers something for the emerging green fingers right through to plant aficionados.

Top of the award-winning designers for 2023 is Jamie Langlands from Oxford Garden Company, who has scooped not only a Gold Award, a Best Construction and the top accolade of Best Show Garden for The Wildlife Trusts: Wilder Spaces.

Jamie commented: “I am so proud of the extremely dedicated team that helped realise my concept. I hope that my Gold Award-winning garden can encourage people to think differently about ‘waste’ materials and see them as beautiful building blocks for a more sustainable future.”

Visitors can see a beautiful garden and one that is beneficial to the natural world, with its structure, topography, materials and planting playing a fundamental role in increasing biodiversity.

The space incorporates a watercourse that meanders through the plot towards a central pond and section of plant bogging. A pavilion, designed in conjunction with Charlie Luxton, has been constructed from reclaimed RSJs (rolled steel joists) and galvanised steel grating and topped with a living roof to provide a calm space to enjoy the diverse species living in the garden’s varied habitats.

The stunning new award-winning garden is sponsored by The Wildlife Trusts, led by Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and Future Nature WTC, BBOWT’s ecological consultancy. These organisations believe gardening has a place in helping nature into recovery and sees significant and lasting value both to wildlife and people.

Jamie was joined by Rick Ford and Kate Gentle who also scooped a Gold accolade for their garden, Bee Positive, Bee Kind, Bee Aware, which is sponsored by Monmouthshire based international charity, Bees For Development.

The space includes areas for relaxation, growing fruit and vegetables, keeping bees and cooking. Key features of the garden include a reclaimed scaffold pergola with a green roof that accommodates a kitchen, reclaimed wooden seating by bee hives, still water in an upcycled trough and raised vegetable beds.

Emily Crowley-Wroe from April House Gardens was awarded a Silver-Gilt for HomeAway, a beautiful space inspired by French family holidays in northwest Brittany. The Cotswolds-based designer has come up with a shared space for wildlife and people to enjoy and hopes visitors will be able to take home ideas for different methods of planting for drier situations and climates.

The design draws upon the landscape beyond and includes a central seating area, planted stony areas that nod to rocky coastal headlands with their cliff-hanging plants, and dusty pathways flanked by tough plants found along dunes and coastal pathways. Formal and domestic gardens found in Brittany and France are echoed in the formal layout of paths and hedges and the blending of coastal hues and exotic planting.

The second Silver-Gilt was taken by Stuart Bugby of Helyers of Hampshire with a garden titled, Expression. The early 20th Century avant-garde art movement known as Cubism, and in particular the use of triangles in many of Pablo Picasso’s paintings, is the inspiration for this garden.

Stuart commented: “I am inspired by many forms of creativity and fusing art and garden design together cohesively will hopefully inspire others. Creativity comes in many forms and can cross over into many different areas. I would like visitors to be inspired to be creative and follow their passion.

“Paintings such as Mediterranean Landscape and Girls with a Boat are among Picasso’s paintings that make use of triangles, although much of his work finds its way back to some form of triangle, which is a key shape of strength and high value in many genres.

“Triangles are not just significant mathematically, they are also fundamental to the way we build our environments both virtual and physical. They are special, and their strength is unrivalled. We loved the idea that a simple shape can be identified with strength and beauty, and this is weaved the whole way through our design.”

A second Gloucestershire based designer, Laura Ashton-Phillips achieved a Silver Award for her Greener Gloucestershire NHS Garden, sponsored by Gloucestershire Managed Services and Gloucestershire County Council and with Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, all set to provide a permanent home for Laura’s second garden for the RHS Malvern Spring Festival.

The Show Gardens are the star of the show, alongside the stupendous Floral Marquee, a pioneering plant friendly zone, the brand-new Fire & Feast Stage and Tips & Tricks Theatre, plus the very best celebrity speakers, workshops and demonstrations.

Tickets for RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2023 start from just £25 (with under 16s free of charge). For full programme details and to book tickets, see https://www.rhsmalvern.co.uk/

Get ready for an action-packed weekend of family fun, excitement and, of course, plenty of animals at the Royal Three Counties Show, taking place at Three Counties Showground from 16 – 18 June 2023. And don’t forget to bring Dad along on Father’s Day for an extra special treat!

The Royal Three Counties Show is one of the UK’s largest livestock and equine shows, so a highlight for many visitors is the impressive daily Grand Parade of Livestock in the Main Arena. Be inspired by the young handler classes where the next generation of farmers get the chance to show their cows, sheep, pigs and goats.

Families will also have the unique opportunity to get close to some of the finest livestock from across the UK as they’re prepped for the show ring and make the most of opportunities to chat to farmers about their animals. Similarly, the Fur, Feather and Farm area is an absolute must-visit where little ones can make friends with adorable alpacas and goats. The Bees and Honey area will provide fascinating live bee demonstrations, during which bees will be tracked as they fly off in search of pollen from the showground and then return during the day.

There will be horses and ponies of all shapes and sizes taking part in showing, show jumping and demonstrations throughout the weekend. The new Stable Yard area will provide children with the chance to get up close to ponies, take part in interactive workshops relating to pony care and learn more about careers in the equestrian industry. The Pony Racing Authority will also set up Equicizer machines on the Friday, giving children and school groups the chance to experience the thrill of race riding on mechanical horses.

For those looking for high-octane entertainment, the Main Arena will host an array of exciting entertainment across the weekend, including the remarkable under 18s motorcycle display team (the IMPS) on Saturday and Sunday, Paul Hannam’s Quad Bike display team on Friday, and the ever-popular British Army Parachute Display Team, the Red Devils. Make sure you also drop in to watch some fast and furious Sheep Shearing and cheer on lumberjacks and lumberjills as they take part in the thrilling 2023 STIHL British TIMBERSPORTS® Championships.

Head to the Countryside Arena and be wowed by the impressive skills on display from the sheepdogs and gundogs, admire the majestic heavy horses or have-a-go at a fun fishing and fly-tying sessions. The exhilarating display from Hawkeye Falconry promises to have everyone on the edge of their seats, as highly trained birds of prey showcase their natural hunting prowess and aerial acrobatics. Little ones will love having a go at an obstacle course while driving in their very own mini Land Rover, while nearby, families can enjoy watching the gundog scurry competitions.

Expect to hear choruses of “aww” at Rosie’s Mini Pony Show, returning to the Royal Three Counties Show due to popular demand. Sprinkled with charming comedy and magic, these lovable miniature horses are sure to prance and trot their way into the hearts of both young and old.

The ultimate showcase of skill and precision awaits in the blacksmithing area, where farriers from all over the UK compete head-to-head in the highly anticipated Farrier Championships. Watch in awe as sparks fly and the heat intensifies with each second, as talented farriers race against the clock to forge the perfect horseshoe and expertly shoe horses and ponies in a true test of strength and craftsmanship.

Thrill-seekers can then head to Adventure Avenue where sports including high-energy Lacrosse workshops will see visitors learn new skills from experienced coaches – with lots of laughter, healthy competition and opportunities to show off some sporting talent.

Strap on your space helmet and prepare for take-off at the Royal Navy, RAF and Army help STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) enthusiasts take an unforgettable adventure through compressed air rocket launchers, buoyancy experiments and virtual reality demonstrations.

The thrills continue as Savage Skills, the UK’s most accomplished freestyle mountain bike stunt team, offers adrenaline-pumping, have-a-go cycling to test visitors’ skills in a safe and controlled environment.

Visitors can also get in touch with their wild side at the Really Rural Famous Five: Survival Secrets area, where they’ll learn all about shelter building, fire-making, water sourcing, plant and animal identification, and navigating with a compass. And be sure to stop by the Midlands Air Ambulance exhibit to try out CPR training and explore a decommissioned helicopter with the crew.

Education takes an exciting new form at the Royal Three Counties Show, with the LEAF Education exhibit offering interactive activities spanning food and farming on Friday, plus a brand-new Farming Experience Area will take visitors through the Story of Wool, linking the sheep and shearing at the show to have-a-go wool spinning sessions and the chance to learn about different breeds. Higher education providers such as the Royal Agricultural University and Hartpury College will also be on hand to chat about further education courses for those interested in future careers within the agricultural sector.

The new Future of Farming Theatre will host cutting edge farming business talks and will give visitors a glimpse into farming and land-based industries as well as featuring special guest interviews, panel discussions, and book signings with a range of experts, including Clarkson’s Farm funnyman Kaleb Cooper, Ally Hunter Blair and Adam Henson.

You’ll also be able to learn more about the Young Farmers Club, and how to get involved, as various clubs from across the UK will compete in tug-of-war, metalwork, woodwork, Bake Offs, Floral Art, Needlework, Morris dancing and Scarecrow making at the show.

Jane Edwards, Head of Shows, said: “We’re thrilled to showcase the very best of the British countryside at this year’s Royal Three Counties Show. From breath-taking displays and adorable animals to exciting competitions, live music and lots of local food and drink, there’s something for everyone to enjoy – on Father’s Day weekend, no less!

“We’re particularly excited to see young people getting involved in agriculture and rural life through the Young Farmers Club competitions. It’s important to encourage the next generation to appreciate and care for our countryside, and we hope this year’s show inspires them to do just that.”

To find out more about the exciting family fun on offer at this year’s Royal Three Counties Show, see https://www.royalthreecounties.co.uk/whats-on/family-activities/

Tickets are on sale now, costing just £23 in advance and children under 16 are free of charge. To book, visit www.royalthreecounties.co.uk or call 01684 584 924.

RHS Malvern Spring Festival, the magnificent four-day gardening and outdoor extravaganza held annually at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, will bring a burst of seasonal colour when it returns from 11 – 14 May 2023.

This year’s festival will be brimming with immersive new experiences, engaging talks and live demonstrations from horticultural experts, a cornucopia of colourful flora and fauna, exciting entertainment for all ages, and, of course, a star-studded line-up of special guests, well-known TV presenters, authors and celebrity chefs.

Here are eight highlights you won’t want to miss at this year’s Festival:

1. Enjoy talks from horticultural experts and special guests

This year the Festival Theatre will host another stellar line-up of TV gardening personalities and leading horticulturalists, including BBC Gardeners’ World presenters Arit Anderson, Frances Tophill, Sue Kent and Adam Frost, who between them will share advice on everything from affordable gardening to gardening for a changing climate.

Well-known gardener and TV presenter, Alan Titchmarsh MBE and community gardener and talented designer, Tayshan Hayden-Smith will also join the Festival Theatre line-up, which this year will be hosted by established garden and landscape designer, broadcaster and Gardeners’ World magazine columnist, James Alexander-Sinclair.

• Explore inspirational show and feature gardens

‘Gardening for Everyone’ is the key theme of the 2023 Festival, with this year’s much-anticipated collection of RHS-judged show gardens and experiential feature gardens set to appeal to a wide variety of people.

Show organisers are keen for visitors to feel enriched and inspired to make the most of their outside spaces, regardless of their gardening expertise and size of their plot, and for the event to maintain its reputation for welcoming both established and newer designers, and encouraging creative freedom.

Visitors can look forward to a varied and eye-catching range of stunning RHS-judged show gardens that are classical, contemporary or conceptual in nature, alongside innovative new experiential feature gardens from big names in the world of horticulture.

• Pick up colourful plants or bulbs to transform your outdoor space

The Plant Village and Pavilions will provide a one-stop gardening emporium to stock up on British grown plants, flowers and bulbs from some of the UK’s best nurseries. Conveniently, visitors can leave their purchases in the complimentary Plant Creche while they set off to enjoy the rest of the festival, and porters will carry purchases back to the car free of charge.

The impressive 190m long RHS Floral Marquee, filled with beautiful displays from over 50 of the UK’s best nurseries, is another excellent opportunity to shop for unusual plants and striking flowers. Be sure to pause and admire the exceptional display of Auricula from Hillview Hardy Plants – the new RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2023 Master Grower. Experts will be on hand to provide ideas and guidance if needed, plus offer handy care tips for planting and growing in your own outdoor space.

• Learn how to grow your own at home

Continuing this year’s theme of ‘Gardening for Everyone’, a new Bloom & Grow Area will share tips on growing flowers, vegetables, herbs and other edible plants at home or in an allotment.

The new Bloom & Grow Theatre, hosted by horticultural broadcaster, author and wellbeing advocate, Ellen Mary, will feature interesting and inspiring talks from special guests, leading floral designer Jonathan Moseley, horticulturalist Tom Leonard (a.k.a The Drag Queen Gardener), Ben Newell (content creator and founder of Worcester Terrariums) and Ann-Marie Powell (gold medal winning garden designer).

A new Grow, Gather & Sow feature garden (designed by Jon Wheatley) will demonstrate how food and flowers can be grown at home, regardless of the amount of space available. It will feature a series of fruit trees surrounded by raised beds and containers planted with an array of vegetables, flowers, herbs and fruit.

The Potting Shed Theatre – a new addition to this year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival – will be hosted by expert horticulturalist Martin Fish. Located within the Floral Marquee, Martin will be joined throughout the weekend by gardening professionals to share specialist knowledge in a series of interesting and informative sessions, including Rob Hardy from Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants, Vicky Fox from Plantago and Steve Hickman from Hoyland Agapanthus.

• Pick up some handy cost-saving and sustainability tips

A brand-new Tips & Tricks Area will present ways to creatively upcycle or reuse everyday items to make stylish, clever features to use at home or in an outdoor space, plus plenty of handy cost-saving and sustainability tips.

A new Tips & Tricks Theatre will be hosted by skilled designer and TV presenter Max McMurdo, who will demonstrate how to create your own hydroponic herb planter. Max will be joined by content creator Adam Kirtland (View from the Potting Bench) who will share clever ways to use a wooden pallet to create features for your own garden, while Rupert Keys (from TASK Academy) will provide advice on landscaping for beginners. For those who enjoy a bouquet of cut flowers, Jonathan Moseley will share his top ten tips for making your flowers last longer.

• Admire the giant floral Coronation Crown

In celebration of the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6^th May there will be a magnificent giant floral crown set on a podium within the Floral Marquee. The impressive structure will be decorated by Jonathan Moseley, one of the UK’s leading floral designers, and will feature British grown flowers donated by nurseries located in Floral Marquee.

• Enjoy some outstanding local food and drink

A new Fire & Feast Theatre will celebrate the joy of alfresco cooking, co-hosted by content creator and BBQ cook, Adam Purnell (a.k.a The Shropshire Lad) and cooking expert and founder of Otter Farm, Mark Diacono. Broadcaster and TV presenter, Gregg Wallace MBE, will join them to share his methods for cooking delicious spatchcock chicken and tasty tikka paneer kebabs. Skilled chefs from Harts Barn Cookery School (located in the Forest of Dean) will share tips for cooking up a feast at home, while local legend Anthony ‘Murf’ Murphy, one of the founders of the The Beefy Boys, will show audiences how to create a show-stopping burger at home.

After working up an appetite at the Fire & Feast Theatre, visitors can soak up the festival atmosphere and live music over at the Festival Green, where an exceptional range of regional food and drink producers will be on hand to sate your appetite. Tuck in to authentic Spanish dishes from Su Casa Cuisine, fresh wood-fired pizza from Bare Bones Pizza, American style burgers from The Beefy Boys or a scoop (or two) of Bennetts ice cream. Delicious plant-based options include Mookies Indian Street Food, the Middle Eastern-inspired Handmade Natural Food and Goodness Gracious Healthy Foods.

Over in the Food and Drink Pavilion, you’ll find numerous producers from across the three counties of Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, including Croome Cuisine, Bow Brook Farm, Pimp Your Mayo and Malvern Gin selling tasty treats to take home.

• Explore the new Book Tent and browse the latest horticultural ‘must read’ titles 

Another new feature at this year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival is the Book Tent, hosted by local independent book shop Rossiter’s Books, selling a carefully curated selection of titles, including publications by some of the Festival’s very own special guests.

Authors will be doing book signings throughout the weekend, including Frances Tophill (Thursday at the Festival Theatre), Adam Frost (Friday – Sunday at the Festival Theatre), Ellen Mary (Thursday and Friday at the Bloom & Grow Theatre), and Mark Diacono (Thursday, Friday and Sunday at the Bloom & Grow Theatre).

RHS Malvern Spring Festival will be at Three Counties Showground from 11 – 14 May 2023. Tickets start from just £25 (with under 16s free of charge) and can be booked at https://www.rhsmalvern.co.uk/

RHS Malvern Spring Festival, in association with My Pension Expert, will kick off the new 2023 RHS Show Season at Three Counties Showground from 11 – 14 May 2023, welcoming over 100,000 visitorswith a host of exciting new features, unique experiences and quirky highlights to enjoy.

RHS Malvern Spring Festival has a stellar reputation as the trailblazer of the RHS floral show season each year, and the 2023 programme will not disappoint. The theme for this year’s festival is ‘Gardening for Everyone’ and, in celebration of this, many new areas, stages and features have been added to make gardening and horticulture open and accessible to all, while encouraging sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices. A brand-new Planet Friendly Gardening ‘3P Free’ Zone (Plastic, Pesticide and Peat free), created by Edibleculture, will give visitors the opportunity to trade in plastic pots from plants bought at the Festival for a compostable and plantable version, for free! All plastic pots collected at the Festival will be recycled.

A new Bloom & Grow Area will provide handy tips on growing vegetables, flowers, herbs and other edible plants at home or in an allotment, plus the chance to create your own lip balm or hand cream under the expert guidance of Cotswold Remedies. The accompanying Bloom & Grow Theatre will be hosted by horticultural broadcaster, author and wellbeing advocate, Ellen Mary. Joining Ellen over the long weekend will be Jonathan Moseley, one of the UK’s leading floral designers (sharing top tips on how to make your flowers last longer at home), horticulturalist Tom Leonard (a.k.a The Drag Queen Gardener), Ben Newell (content creator and founder of Worcester Terrariums) and Ann-Marie Powell (gold medal winning garden designer). Mark Diacono, author, cooking expert and founder of Otter Farm, will give a fascinating talk on foraging and fermenting (Friday & Sunday), while BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Arit Anderson will share her expert insight on why a diverse garden is a happy place (Saturday & Sunday). Community gardener and designer, Tayshan Hayden-Smith will explain why empowering, introducing and embracing young people and communities into horticulture is so vital (Saturday).

The brand-new Tips & Tricks Area will be the place to go to learn how to creatively upcycle or reuse items to make stylish features for your own outdoor space, plus lots of handy cost-saving and sustainability tips. The new Tips & Tricks Theatre will be hosted by skilled designer/upcycler and TV presenter Max McMurdo, who will demonstrate how to make a hydroponic herb planter at home. Max will be joined throughout the weekend by horticultural content creator Adam Kirtland (View from the Potting Bench) who will be demonstrating some handy garden DIY using just a wooden pallet, while Rupert Keys from TASK Academy (leading landscaping industry trainers) will share clever tips on how to use rainwater in your outdoor space.

This year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival charity partner is St Richard’s Hospice in Worcester. In celebration of this year’s focus on sustainability, St Richard’s has been running a campaign to collect unwanted garden tools to be upcycled and their finished creations will be on sale at the Festival, alongside a selection of outdoor furniture, garden and cookery books, garden wear, plants and pots. Any revenue raised from RHS Malvern Spring Festival-owned items in Sunday’s 4pm sell-off will also be donated to the charity.

A highlight for many visitors, and an integral feature of the RHS shows, will be admiring this year’s five new stunning RHS-judged show gardens alongside three unique, experiential feature gardens. Be transported to a tropical paradise of waterfalls, bridges and immersive exotic planting, not to mention a tropical bar, in the stunning Leaf Tropicana feature garden (by Peter Dowle from Leaf Creative) and feel the sand beneath your feet. Take a moment to chill out in a deckchair beside the colourful beach huts of the Coast to Country feature garden (by Villaggio Verde), RHS Malvern Spring Festival’s first ever beach-themed garden.The popular School Challenge Gardens will also return for 2023 with a new theme ‘Bring your favourite book to life’, inspiring the next generation to explore their creativity through horticulture.

The Potting Shed Theatre – new to RHS Malvern Spring Festival in 2023 – will be hosted by expert horticulturalist Martin Fish. Located within the Floral Marquee, a range of green fingered professionals, including Vicky Fox from Plantagoggo, BBC Gardener’s World Arit Anderson, Rob Hardy from Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants and Stella Exley from Hare Spring Cottage Plants, will be on hand to share specialist gardening knowledge in a series of interesting and informative sessions.

For food-lovers, the new Fire & Feast Theatre will be a highlight of the weekend. Hosted by Mark Diacono and BBQ and open fire cook, Adam Purnell (a.k.a The Shropshire Lad), visitors can pick up ideas to improve their alfresco cooking with live demonstrations from talented chefs, outstanding local food producers and special guests. Broadcaster and TV presenter, Gregg Wallace MBE, will share his methods for cooking delicious spatchcock chicken and tasty tikka paneer kebabs, while local legend Anthony ‘Murf’ Murphy, one of the founders of the region’s popular and award-winning group of restaurants, The Beefy Boys, will share top tips on how to whip up your own ultimate burger at home.  There will also be a variety of sensational food stalls located across the showground serving up delicious meals and snacks to suit every taste and a range of dietary requirements, alongside some of the best local, artisan food and drink from across the three counties of Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.

Visitors to this year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival will be in for a treat with a host of exciting new dining options. Pre-book an exclusive dining experience in the idyllic new Taste Pods, offering an hour-and-a-half of relaxation, sophisticated nibbles and 360-degree views for groups of up to 6 people. Set against a glorious backdrop of rolling Malvern hills, these transparent, heated domes will serve delicious pastries, cakes and charcuterie alongside a range of soft and alcoholic drinks. The new Bluebell Bistro will combine impeccable service and top-class fare, with a tantalising two-course lunch menu available to pre-book from Hereford’s finest, A to Zest. Tables for the new Taste Pods and Bluebell Bistro can be booked in advance at www.rhsmalvern.co.uk .Visitors can also enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean at the new Greek Taverna, serving up a range of snacks and lunches, including halloumi wraps, salads, pastries and mezze boxes, alongside a relaxed and uplifting atmosphere.

For those visiting with little ones, the Discovery Dome will host plenty of free family fun for all ages across the weekend, with arts and crafts sessions, science-based activities, workshops and entertainment. Weave some magic with Oakey Bear and create beautiful willow sculptures of well-loved literary characters, including Paddington Bear. Jonathan Moseley will be on hand to help families of all ages create their own magical floral wands (11am Saturday and 1.30pm Sunday). The University of Worcester will run insightful activities about unseen garden inhabitants and how rivers are created. There will also be workshops to make your own bird feeder with Wyldwood Willow, create and paint pottery tiles with Eastnor Pottery and pick up some impressive circus skills with Thomas Trilby.

Another exciting new feature at this year’s festival will be book signings by some of the festival’s special guests after talks given in the different theatres across the showground, including BBC Gardeners’ World presenters, authors and Festival Theatre guests, Frances Tophill (Thursday) and Adam Frost (Friday – Sunday), Bloom & Grow Theatre host Ellen Mary (Thursday and Friday), and Fire & Feat Theatre host Mark Diacono (Thursday, Friday and Sunday). There will also be a book tent run by local independent business, Rossiter Books.

Tickets for the RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2023 start from just £25 (with under 16s free of charge) and can be purchased online now at https://www.rhsmalvern.co.uk/