RHS Tatton gives way to Rotherham and Norfolk garden shows

The Royal Horticultural Society is to stop holding its flower show at Tatton Park annually.

The charity said the event would take place in July at the historic estate in Knutsford, Cheshire, but would not return there again until 2027.

It said a show would be held at Wentworth Woodhouse stately home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, in 2025 and on Norfolk's Sandringham Estate, one of King Charles III's royal residences, in 2026.

The RHS said the aim was to "promote gardening to as many people as possible".

The show at Tatton Park in July will mark the 25th anniversary of the event, which attracts about 80,000 visitors each year.

RHS director general Clare Matterson said the society was making "some of the biggest changes we’ve made to our shows in a generation".

“We want to inspire current and new audiences with world-class horticulture and provide access to the UK’s best plants people to help even more people garden and grow," she said.

The RHS said its show in Chelsea will remain an annual event.

It will also host a show at Badminton Estate in Gloucestershire in 2026.

A representative said the changes would “deliver world class horticulture to the doorsteps of members who may not have an RHS garden near them”.

They said the society's new urban show, which debuted in Manchester earlier in April, would be held in a different location in 2025 as it aims to highlight gardening for small spaces and communities.

For about 400 years, Tatton Park was the property of the Egerton family, until it was handed over to the National Trust in 1958.

It is managed by Cheshire East Council on behalf of the National Trust.

Councillor Michael Gorman, who chairs the authority's economy and growth committee, said they were "looking forward to supporting the RHS and their members with an exciting new programme of shows".

“Breathing space between shows will enable us to consider fresh ideas to offer existing generations of garden enthusiasts and new visitors to the show and Tatton Park," he said.

“It will also allow exciting new opportunities to be explored that will complement Tatton Park’s award-winning events and education programmes.”

He added that the authority could not wait to make the show's 25th anniversary event "a great celebration".

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