Returning to Newby Hall for three glorious days, Harrogate Autumn Flower Show is set to delight visitors with an array of beautiful blooms, peculiar plants, and world record-breaking grows - here’s what not to miss

Giant vegetablesGiant vegetables (Image: RHS)

Awe-inspiring fruit & vegetables

From the perfectly formed to the giant variety, an amazing array of homegrown fruit and vegetables on display will be sure to wow spectators. Located in the Incredible Edible Pavilion, this is where world record breaking onions, giant pumpkins and perfect all vie for glory. From the 2024 NEHS Giant Vegetable Competition to the National Onion Championship and more, there’ll be competition classes for allotment beginners to growing masters. Whether it’s colossal cabbages, monumental marrows or burly beetroots, expect to see vegetables like you’ve never seen them before.

Wander around the house and gardens. Wander around the house and gardens. (Image: RHS)

Wander through the ‘Rooms for Blooms’

Inspired by the impressive interiors and unique surroundings of Newby Hall, discover dazzling displays throughout this 18th century historic house. This year, the floral art installations follow the theme of ‘Nature Reclaims’ which is all about rewilding. A team of talented floral artists and designers will create a stunning collection of themed flower and plant-based installations set against the opulent backdrop of the principal rooms which will be consumed by the natural world. Last year saw impressive displays by the like of celebrity floral designer Jonathan Moseley and award-winning florist Helen James, so we’re excited to see what this year has in store.

Terrific tips

Seek expert gardening and growing advice from specialist growers on hand to provide all those much-needed tips and tricks you might be missing. Whether you are looking for oceans of drop-dead gorgeous dahlias or a cornucopia of colourful carnations, you won't find a bigger or better display of autumn blooms anywhere in the UK or a better array of experts on hand to help guide you. Admire colourful flower and plant displays from specialist plant nurseries and societies; and be sure to seek out The Garden Advice Bureau who will be ready to answer your questions and provide helpful tips.

Three live stages

Expect a packed programme of talks and demos across three live theatres covering seasonal cookery, floristry demonstrations, and the very best gardening advice! Horticulturist Sarah Owen-Hughes and landscape curator Faith Douglas welcome a myriad of experts and ambassadors from across the horticultural spectrum over at The Human Gardener. Reduce your reliance on the supermarket by learning how to produce great home-grown fruit and veg with The Great Northern Larder. While The Grow! team of BBC Radio York’s Martin Fish, plant expert Helen Bainbridge and North Yorkshire plants woman Sarah Hopps will be on hand with expert advice on getting the most from your garden.

Pick & Preserve pop up

New for 2024 this stage will show visitors how to savour the flavours and beauty of your harvest all year round! With lively demonstrations, experts share tips for creating delicious pickles, chutneys, and jams with the ‘pick of the crop’ from the allotment. Here, you will also learn the secrets to drying and pressing flowers whilst also getting inspired on how to craft stunning displays with them!

House & garden tours

Each ticket to Harrogate Autumn Flower Show includes entry into the stunning Newby Hall, gorgeous gardens, and adventure playground. This is one of Britain’s finest examples of Adam Houses, built in the 1690s by Sir Christopher Wren and a wonderful opportunity to explore its decadent interior. Be sure to stop by the 25 acres of award-winning gardens where you will find some of the longest herbaceous borders in Europe! The gardens were designed and planted as 25 different ‘rooms’ in order to provide year-round interest and beauty. If the opportunity presents itself, a tour of either the house or gardens provides a fascinating insight into this stately home.

The Harrogate Autumn Flower Show takes place at Newby Hall on September 13-15