Out & About in August - where to see British flowers

Out & About in August – where to see British flowers

Out and About in August 2026

Here’s a round up of things to do in August 2026 that involve beautiful flowers grown here in the UK. We will also look ahead to September so you do not miss out on anything.

August 2026 Flower Shows

Rutland Flower Show

Held in Oakham, the heart of Rutland, Rutland Flower Show event features show gardens, expert demonstrations and talks including one by me on Saturday 15th August at 3pm in the Floral Marquee. The Flower Show is on from 14 August to 16 August .

Southport Flower Show

Southport Flower Show is the largest independent is the largest independent (non-RHS) flower show in the UK. On from 20th – 23rd August 2026, 10am – 6pm (5pm Sunday). Victoria Park, PR8 1RX

Sheffield Flower Festival

The first Sheffield Flower Festival is taking place on Sunday 23^rd August at the gorgeous Victoria and The Mowbray in Sheffield and all brought together by Bloom Sheffield. Featuring Flower & Makers Market from 10am-4pm at the Mowbray and a huge range of Flower Festival talks and workshops at the Victoria. There will also be a number of local flower growers there too.

Dahlia Fest 2026

Finally Dahlia Fest 2026 is a free event taking place at Nottingham on Sunday, August 23 from10 am – 3 pm. Further details available here.

PYO Dahlias

August is the perfect month to visit a wonderful Dahlia Farm to pick your own beautiful dahlias so here is a round up of some options:

Wild Dahlia Co in Norfolk (NR25 6QL)

Wild Dahlia Co in Weybourne Norfolk NR25 6QL are open on Saturday and Sundays through August, September and October. Further details and to book see here.

Vase of dahlia flowers on the grass with blue sky backgrouns — Credit: Wild Dahlia Co

Sign saying Peach in a field of dahlia flowers — Credit: Wild Dahlia Co

The Flower Artisan near Reading, Berks (RG8 7RN)

If you love flowers and walled gardens as I do, then you will love The Flower Artisan , an organic flower farm where you can pick your own Dahlias at the historic walled garden at the Hardwick Estate. Open for PYO on Wednesdays 12-3pm, Fridays 10-1pm and Saturdays 9.30 – 12.30pm until mid October weather permitting. Prebooking required. For details, visit here.

The Flower Crop Co Ormskirk, Lanc (L40 2RA)

The Flower Crop Co in Ormskirk, Lancashire L40 2RA will be open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10am to 6pm for the rest of the season. For full details see here .

close up of a single peach and white coloured Dahlia flower — Credit: Flower Crop Co

Bennetts Willow Barn in Worcester, WR2 4BS

Bennetts Willow Barn in Worcester, WR2 4BS is now open until early/mid October for PYO dahlias on their family farm. PYO tickets must be prebooked – see here. They are also hosting a number of PYO Dahlias with Bouquet Workshops on Thursday 3rd September (10:00am), Friday 11th September (10:00am) and Thursday 17th September (11am).

Lady holding bunch of Autumn flowers in a field — Bennetts Willow Barn Credit: Hayley Elizabeth Photography

Lady picking flowers in a field of flowers — Bennetts Willow Barn Credit: Hayley Elizabeth Photography

Rowes at Priory Gardens in Guisborough, North Yorkshire, TS14 6PR

Rowes at Priory Gardens in Guisborough, North Yorkshire, TS14 6PR are open Sunday August 23^rd and Monday 31^st August from 10am to 3pm. In September they are open Wednesday 2nd September 4-7pm; Sunday 6th September, 10am-3pm; Wednesday 9th September, 4-7pm and Sunday 13th September, 10am-3pm. Further details and to book see here.

Field of dahlias — Credit: Rowes at Priory Garden

Dahlia Beach on Abingdon OX13 5HB

Dahlia Beach in Abingdon OX13 5HB is based at Millets Farm where there are numerous other facilities including a Farm Shop, Garden Centre and cafes. Dahlia Beach is the largest PYO dahlia farm in the UK with over 8000 dahlias planted around a bright pink double decker bus. PYO Dahlias is now open 7 days a week until the end of October from 10am to 4pm. They also hold many events including Doggies In The Dahlias on 13 September and flower arranging workshops.

Lady holding a bunch of dahlia flowers in a field of flowers with a pink double decker bus in the background — Credit: Dahlia Beach

Lady with blonde hair picking a dahlia flower in a field of pink dahlias — Credit: Dahlia Beach

Flora Fields in Droitwich Spa (WR9 0DG)

Flora Fields in Wychbold, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire is based at Webbs Wychbold garden centre and features more than 5000 dahlias in bloom. Open now until early October on the hour from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. For full details and dates available please see here.

Field of dahlia flowers with brown tents in the background — Flora Fields Credit: Webbs of Wychbold

Flower field with green and yellow balloon — Flora Fields Credit: Webbs of Wychbold

Sunflower Fields

Unfortunately the sunflower fields have finished early this year due to the extreme weather we have had. Make a note to book and visit them early next year.

Image: Meric Tuna

Exhibitions

Fleurs de Villes DIANA

Fleurs de Villes, the internationally acclaimed flower show will stage the world premiere of Fleurs de Villes DIANA in support of The Diana Award at Somerset House, London from 16 September to 6 October 2026.

Celebrating the life and enduring legacy of Diana, Princess of Wales, leading British floral designers will use thousands of fresh flowers to create 15 stunning floral mannequins inspired by some of her most iconic looks. Behind every floral masterpiece is a remarkable story—from her groundbreaking HIV/AIDS advocacy to her landmark walk through an Angolan minefield. Together, they celebrate how Diana used fashion to connect with people, inspire compassion, and champion the causes she cared about.

Handpicked: Painting Flowers from 1900 to Today

Last chance to see this floral art exhibition at Kette’s Yard, Cambridge, until 6 September 2026

Inspired by the presence of freshly cut flower displays and paintings such as Cyclamen and Primula (c. 1923) by Winifred Nicholson in the Kettle’s Yard house, Handpicked: Painting Flowers will present works featuring flowers by artists spanning across the 20th and 21st centuries. This is a free exhibition.

I visited the exhibition last month and my favourite paintings were Pink Peonies 2013 by William Nicholson (Courtesy of Jonathan Clark Fine Art) and Kitchen Table 2025 by Caroline Walker (Courtesy of the artist)

Large wall with writing a painted leaf by a staircase — Entrance to the Handpicked exhibition at Kettles Yard

Image of a little girl with brown hair writing seated at a messy kitchen table with a large vase of pink peonies and foliage surrounded by brown wrapping paper and scissors. — Entrance to the Handpicked exhibition at Kettles Yard

Full details here.

Benton End: A Paradise of Pollen and Paint

The Garden Museum, London is celebrating Benton End’s impact on a generation of artists and gardeners, with paintings, drawings, photographs, correspondence, personal belongings and objects from the school in its heyday telling the story of a place where learning, creative freedom and horticultural experimentation came together. Running until 20 September 2026, full details and to book here.

Book Ahead – Coming next month

September is looking to be another busy month.

RHS Wisley Flower Show

RHS Wisley Flower Show takes place from 1st to 6th September 2026, with late-summer gardening inspiration, expert advice, vibrant floral displays and fantastic shopping opportunities. It will feature the National Dahlia Society Show’s marquee from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th September which is hosting ‘A Celebration of Dahlias’ featuring beautiful and imaginative displays from growers and floral artists. Normal garden admission applies and the event is free to RHS Members.

Strawberry Hill Flower Festival

Strawberry Hill House Flower Festival takes place in Twickenham, SW London, London from 10^th to 12^th September. This is the UK’s most sustainable flower festival transforming the amazing Gothic Strawberry Hill House & Garden into a spectacular celebration of flowers, creativity, and colour from over 30 of the UK’s most exciting floral designers who will fill the house and gardens with immersive installations, using only British-grown flowers and sustainable techniques.

Harrogate Autumn Flower Show

The Harrogate Autumn Flower Show takes place at Newby Hall & Gardens from 18 – 20 September 2026. The Autumn Show features beautiful floral displays, garden inspiration, Grand Floral Pavilion, Newby Hall’s award winning gardens, live talks and demonstrations, great garden shopping, and stunning floral art installations within Newby Hall. To book, visit here.

BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair

BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair will take place at Audley End House and Gardens from Friday 11 September to Sunday 13 September. A number of Gardeners’ World presenters will be there including Adam Frost, Frances Tophill, Ashley Edwards and Sue Kent. Full details here.

Wild! A Festival of Flowers and Nature

In Winchester, Wild! A Festival of Flowers and Nature takes place in Winchester Cathedral from 15^th to 19^th September from 9.30am to 4.30pm plus Late Night Opening on Wednesday 16^th September. There will be a number of talks and workshops as well as the star attraction, the Cathedral transformed by thousands of flowers, brought to life through immersive installations.

Malvern Autumn Show

Malvern Autumn Show takes place from September 25–27, 2026 at Three Counties Showground, Malvern and includes the The RHS Flower Show, inside the Floral Marquee.

I hope you have enjoyed this round up of everything floral happening this month and next month.

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FLORAL ACTIVISM

Meet Elizabeth the driving force behind the movement

Hi, love flowers? Then welcome to my world. Join me to celebrate beautiful British grown flowers and everything floral.

Running a flower business, I leant first hand how British grown flowers are naturally better for the planet, are more characterful with fragrance that hasn’t been bred out of them as with many imported flowers and offer so many gorgeous different flowers you’ll never see in the supermarket.

I’ll show you what fabulous British grown flowers are in season and when and where you can buy them, I’ll also tell you about where you can pick your own flowers, flower markets you can visit, flower festivals, exhibitions and shows. Anything to do with flowers from gorgeous new homeware such as vases to stationary and everything in between.