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Fabulous food and drink experiences, mouth-watering demos from top chef talent, grow your own tips, shopping and, of course, plenty of flora and fauna, will all feature at the region’s largest seasonal celebration of gardening and outdoor living, RHS Malvern Spring Festival from 11 – 14 May 2023 at Three Counties Showground.

Things are heating up as organisers promise to start barbecue season early with the arrival of the brand-new Fire & Feast Theatre, supported by Kadai Bowl, Caradoc Charcoal Ltd and Love Logs. Co-hosting the new stage is award-winning food writer and Otter Farm founder, Mark Diacono, and everybody’s favourite Shropshire Lad and barbecue sensation, Adam Purnell.

If expertise in home growing, fermenting or open fire cookery isn’t enough to draw crowds, the sizzling aromas from the flaming Kadai Bowl demos surely will. These authentic Indian cooking bowls, traditionally repurposed as show-stopping centrepieces for celebrations hundreds of years ago, are now must-have BBQ pits hailed the ultimate tool for cooking over fire.

Joining the anticipated line-up is well-known TV presenter and ingredient expert, Gregg Wallace MBE, TV chef and cookery school owner Marcus Bean and Anthony ‘Murf’ Murphy, founder of award-winning cult burger brand The Beefy Boys, who will share the secret of how to make the ultimate burger at home.

For the first time at RHS Malvern Spring Festival, visitors are able to 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 backdrop of rolling Malvern hills, these transparent domes – heated for ultimate comfort – will serve pastries, cakes and charcuterie alongside a range of soft and alcoholic drinks. Taste Pod tables can be booked in advance at www.rhsmalvern.co.uk

New for 2023, the Bluebell Bistro will offer a more social affair for visitors, combining impeccable service and top-class fare, with a tantalising two-course lunch menu available to pre-book from Hereford’s finest, A to Zest. Booking details will be available on the website (www.rhsmalvern.co.uk) soon.

Visitors looking for lunch-on-the-go or to soak up the festival atmosphere and live music can head to the Festival Green, where they’ll be spoilt for choice from an exceptional range of local and regional food and drink producers. American style burgers from The Beefy Boys, authentic Spanish dishes from Shropshire’s Su Casa Cuisine and fresh wood-fired pizza from Bare Bones Pizza in Halesowen are just some of the tantalizing options available. Of course, a family day out wouldn’t be complete without a scoop (or two) of ice cream, courtesy of Bennetts from Worcestershire. Plenty of delicious plant-based options will cater for vegan and vegetarian visitors, including Mookies Indian Street Food, the Middle Eastern-inspired Handmade Natural Food and Goodness Gracious Healthy Foods.

The Vintage Tea Room is the ideal spot for a traditional British afternoon pick-me-up, meanwhile at The Greek Taverna (located in Severn Hall) visitors can immerse themselves in Greek culture and cuisine. RHS and Three Counties Showground members can also enjoy the comfort of an exclusive Members Lounge, serving hot drinks, select alcoholic beverages, cakes, pastries and a range of sandwiches.

No RHS festival would be complete without the opportunity to treat yourself to some of your favourite food and drink samples. This year’s line-up of artisan producers features the Loaded Sausage Company, Pimp Your Mayo spices, handmade cheeses by Croome Cuisine, cider and perry by Ragged Stone, award-winning elderflower liqueur from The Secret Aristocrat, a delicious selection from Charcuterie Hereford, fresh coffee from Francini’s Colombian Coffee, authentic Italian cuisine from Benedictos and the most Instagrammable delights by Divine Donuts.

Jane Edwards, Head of Shows at Three Counties Showground, said: “While RHS Malvern Spring Festival is known for getting the prestigious RHS floral show season underway, the amazing array of experiences on offer across the Fire & Feast Theatre, Food and Drink Pavilion and Festival Green contends with some of the most exciting food festivals in the region.

“Food is something we all have in common, whether it’s a love of growing it, eating it, cooking it, or sharing it. Families can look forward to learning recipes to try at home, how to grow their own, get inspired by the joys of open-fire cookery and even celebrate a special occasion in one of our pre-bookable Taste Pods or bistro. Not forgetting the opportunity to sample the finest produce from across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire!”

Tickets for RHS Malvern Spring Festival are on sale now, priced from just £25, with under 16s being free of charge. Visit www.rhsmalvern.co.uk to book tickets and dining experiences, as well as view the full programme of family fun.

Families looking for things to do with the kids should look no further than CountryTastic this Easter! The region’s top family-friendly event takes place on Thursday 6 April at Three Counties Showground, Malvern.

Jam packed with interactive learning experiences, farmyard friends and oodles of countryside fun, CountryTastic is an unforgettable and immersive day out aimed at children aged 5-11 years old and is open between 10:00am and 5:00pm.

Kids and their parents can expect to experience the wonders of the British countryside through a variety of animal, food and science-based interactive features included in the ticket price of £10 per adult, £6 per 3–15-year-old. The event is free for under 2’s and tickets always sell out in advance!

New for 2023, there will be variety of exotic animals for children to learn about and handle plus a chance to get up close to animatronic dinosaurs and learn more about the habits and diets of those that once roamed the earth!

Come along to this ‘funtastic day out, filled with furry friends, including the Paw Parade display ring dedicated to our four legged friends and the Animal Antics zone, featuring creatures of all shapes and sizes. Returning for 2023 are the ever-popular unicorn and horse and cart rides.

There is so much for young visitors to see and do at this fantastic day out, from craft activities to bushcraft skills and den making to hands on animal encounters.

With thanks to our main sponsor, RGS Worcester Family of Schools and our show sponsors, Royal Agricultural University and Bredon School.

“We’re excited to be sponsoring CountryTastic for the first time this year, we know it’s a great show tailored to families, celebrating the best of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and the rural community.  This is an extension of our relationship with the Three Counties Shows, with the School attending the RHS Spring Festival in the Schools garden challenge.”  Chris Taylor, Head of Marketing and Communications, RGS Worcester Family of Schools

Tickets are limited and only available to buy in advance for CountryTastic. Buy your tickets here: https://www.countrytastic.co.uk/

‘Gardening for Everyone’ is the key theme of the 2023 RHS Malvern Spring Festival at Three Counties Showground from 11 – 14 May, with this year’s much-anticipated collection of show and feature gardens set to appeal to a wide variety of people.

The garden 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 exciting experiential  feature gardens from big names in the world of horticulture.

Multi-gold medal winner Peter Dowle of Leaf Creative in Huntley, Gloucestershire, will be transforming a giant 25m dome into Leaf Tropicana – a feature garden that promises visitors an opportunity to “step into a slice of paradise away from the hustle and bustle of the show”. Visitors will be transported to a tropical paradise containing waterfalls, bridges and immersive exotic planting, not to mention a tropical bar.

Award-winning designer Jon Wheatley will be presenting Grow, Gather and Sow, a feature garden which demonstrates how food and flowers can be grown in harmony at home, notwithstanding 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. Jon, who runs Stonebarn Landscapes based in Chew Magna, has built more than 20 gold medal-winning RHS features.

Coast to Country is being created by the multi-gold medal winning team at Worcestershire-based tree specialist Villaggio Verde. This feature garden is designed to transport visitors to the seaside, with beach huts and a wide range of plants that mimic the look and feel of the coast. Buy an ice cream, take a stroll through the garden and relax on a deckchair as the harmonious sounds of a steel band conjure sunny climes.

Meanwhile, this year’s five show gardens will draw upon the work of great artists, wildlife-friendly features and sustainability.

Expression takes the early 20^th Century avant-garde art movement known as Cubism, and in particular the use of triangles in many of Pablo Picasso’s paintings, as its inspiration. Stuart Bugby, senior designer at Helyers of Hampshire, has chosen a limited palette of plants and will be using them within this stunning outdoor living space.  Helyers believes limited palettes will be a trend in 2023.

A wildlife-friendly theme can also be found in The Wildlife Trusts: Wilder Spaces garden by Jamie Langlands, lead designer at Oxford Garden Design. This will be a garden that’s beautiful to behold and great for the natural world, with its structure, topography, materials and planting playing a fundamental role in increasing biodiversity. Visitors will be able to see how wildlife habitats can be designed into the structure of a garden, using building waste, reclaimed material and untreated timbers. Wilder Spaces is sponsored by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and Future Nature WTC, the Trust’s ecological consultancy.

A pollinator-friendly garden for an environmentally-aware family lies at the heart of Rick Ford and Katie Gentle’s design for the ‘Bee Positive,  Bee Kind, Be Aware’ garden. The space includes areas for relaxation, growing fruit and vegetables, keeping bees and cooking. The garden, sponsored by Monmouth-based Bees for Development, will contain a large number of pollinator-friendly flowers and make use of recycled and repurposed materials wherever possible.

The Gloucestershire Royal Hospital is set to provide a permanent home for Laura Ashton Phillips’ Greener Gloucestershire NHS Garden. Laura, widely known as The Botanic Blonde, wants to share the calming health benefits to be gained from being immersed in nature and the effect it has on patient recovery rates and the lowering of cortisol levels on those being treated as well as their families and the staff looking after them. The designer, who received a bronze medal for her debut Longcroft Press garden at the 2022 RHS Malvern Spring Festival, will be creating a wild, natural planting scheme that can be relocated to multiple areas of the hospital. Laura is passionate about working alongside nature, rather than trying to tame it, and much of her inspiration comes from the Forest of Dean, where she lives with her family. The garden is sponsored by Gloucestershire Managed Services and Gloucestershire County Council.

Family holidays in northwest Brittany are the inspiration for HomeAway Garden by Emily Crowley-Wroe. The Cotswold-based designer has come up with a romantic 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. She’s also keen to encourage gardeners to leave elements of a garden’s past and seemingly redundant materials to protect the habitats of wild creatures. Home Away Garden is sponsored by Task Academy, a Midlands-based organisation that provides landscaping and land-based courses. Last year Emily won a silver gilt medal and the ‘Best in Show’ accolade at RHS Malvern Spring Festival for The Hide Garden.

Alongside the five show gardens and three feature gardens, designers of the future will be showing off 10 fabulous ideas in the ever-popular school gardens section, the theme for which is ‘bring your favourite book to life’.

Jane Edwards, Head of Shows at Three Counties Showground, said: “Our gardens have been designed to provide enriching experiences for everyone, regardless of gardening expertise, and to celebrate spring planting, gardening and design.

We’re keen to inspire and nurture new and existing talent at the festival through a varied show programme that includes educational, motivating and interesting demonstrations and discussions by a host of experts in the theatres, and through the range of knowledgeable growers, retailers, designers and gardeners across the whole festival.”

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/

Find out more about the 2023 Show & Feature Gardens here.

RHS Malvern Spring Festival Giant Welly at Gloucester Quays

The prestigious Royal Horticultural Society’s Malvern Spring Festival’s giant welly has arrived in Gloucester Quays, as it launches it’s Gloucestershire leg of a regional tour taking in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, in support of the prestigious annual gardening event at Three Counties Showground in Malvern.

A selfie magnet for visitors, the welly measures 10ft in height and weighs in at 100 kilos and has been providing visitors to Gloucester Quays with lots of photo opportunities since it arrived last week.

The RHS Malvern Spring Festival, afour-day gardening extravaganza held at the Three Counties Showground, in association with My Pension Expert, is set to launch the exciting new RHS 2023 show season from 11 – 14 May 2023, with a whole host of thematic new zones, theatres, immersive experiences and interactive demonstrations.

The RHS Malvern Spring Festival features an unmissable line-up showcasing the country’s best-known expert horticulturalists and TV gardening personalities, the crowning of the very first RHS award-winning gardens of the year, plus a showcase of new talent and the latest in horticultural trends.

The theme for 2023’s festival is ‘Gardening for Everyone’ and there will be a focus on making gardening and horticulture open and accessible to all, while encouraging sustainable and planet-friendly practices that are kinder to the environment.

Next on the tour itinerary is Regent Arcade in Cheltenham, with the giant welly arriving on Monday 6^th March until Monday 20^th March before it heads off to Holloways in Worcestershire.

RHS Malvern Spring Festival has unveiled the full line up of celebrity and special guests set to feature at the show when it returns to Three Counties Showground from 11 – 14 May 2023.

With a reputation as the trailblazer of the esteemed RHS floral show season, this year’s festival will be bursting with immersive new experiences, engaging talks and demonstrations from experts, a cornucopia of colourful flora and fauna, exciting entertainment for all ages, and, of course, a star-studded line-up of horticultural guests, TV presenters, authors and celebrity chefs.

This year’s Festival Theatre will be hosted by RHS Vice President, Design Ambassador and Gardeners’ World magazine columnist, James Alexander-Sinclair. Joining James on stage over the long-weekend will be a special selection of BBC Gardeners’ World presenters and expert horticulturalists, including Adam Frost, Arit Anderson, Frances Tophill and Sue Kent, as well as all-round gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh MBE.  Between them, these gardening experts will share top tips and advice on everything from affordable gardening to gardening for a changing climate. Also joining them on the Festival Theatre stage will be the community gardener and talented designer Tayshan Hayden-Smith, who will be sharing his passion for empowering young people and communities to get more involved in horticulture.

Frances Tophill, horticulturalist, BBC Gardeners’ World presenter and RHS Malvern Spring Festival special guest, said: “As a regular contributor to RHS Shows, I am excited to be revisiting the glorious RHS Malvern Spring Festival this May. I will be joining Festival Theatre host, James Alexander Sinclair, along with some of my fellow Gardeners’ World presenters and other brilliant expert horticulturalists. I’m particularly looking forward to this year’s ‘Gardening for Everyone’ theme, as sustainable, planet-friendly practices are something I am passionate about.”

The brand-new Tips & Tricks stage will be hosted by Max McMurdo, skilled designer/upcycler and TV presenter, whose creations have featured on BBC’s Dragon’s Den and currently on the new series of Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. Special guests joining Max include Jay Blades MBE, expert furniture restorer and TV presenter, well-known for his role in BBC’s The Repair Shop. Jay is a proud eco-designer and champions the use of sustainable, environmentally-friendly methods. Content creator Adam Kirtland (View from the Potting Bench) will be demonstrating how to create your very own container herb garden, while Rupert Keys from TASK Academy will share clever tips on how to use rain water in your outdoor space.

Max McMurdo, skilled upcycler, TV presenter and Tip & Tricks Theatre host, commented: “We will be sharing plenty of clever ways to create amazing elements for your home or garden in the Tips & Tricks Theatre that won’t cost much, helping you to get enjoyment from your spaces while saving money.”

The new Bloom & Grow Theatre will be hosted by horticultural broadcaster and wellbeing advocate, Ellen Mary. Joining her on stage 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. Ellen will also be joined over the weekend by horticulturalist Tom Leonard (a.k.a The Drag Queen Gardener), Ben Newell (content creator and founder of Worcester Terrariums), Jon Wheatley (Avon based award-winning landscape designer) and Ann-Marie Powell (gold medal winning garden designer).

The new Fire & Feast stage, supported by Kadai, Caradoc Charcoal Ltd and Love Logs, will be co-hosted by cooking expert and founder of Otter Farm, Mark Diacono, who will share his tops tips for fermenting foods, and content creator and BBQ cook, Adam Purnell (a.k.a The Shropshire Lad), who will give audiences an exciting insight into open fire cooking. Well-known broadcaster and TV presenter, Gregg Wallace MBE, will share his methods for cooking delicious spatchcock chicken and tasty tikka paneer kebabs. Local legend Anthony ‘Murf’ Murphy, one of the founders of the region’s exceptionally popular and growing group of restaurants The Beefy Boys, will share tips on how to whip up your own ultimate burger at home. Skilled chefs from Harts Barn Cookery School (located in the Forest of Dean) will share their top tips for cooking up a feast at home, while Paul Strachan from Love Logs (a planet friendly firewood supplier based in the West Midlands) will teach audiences how to cook the perfect pizza. Also joining co-hosts Mark and Adam across the weekend are author and TV chef, Marcus Bean, and Adam Markham from Firebowl barbeque company Kadai, both based in Shropshire.

Gregg Wallace MBE, TV presenter and RHS Malvern Spring Festival special guest, said: “I’m looking forward to this year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival and thrilled to be sharing some cooking tips at the new Fire & Feast Theatre. It looks like it’s going to be a fantastic weekend!”

The Potting Shed Theatre – new to RHS Malvern Spring Festival in 2023 – will be hosted by expert horticulturalist Martin Fish. Located within the impressive Floral Marquee, a range of green fingered professionals will be on hand to share specialist gardening knowledge in a series of interesting and informative sessions.

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

The Three Counties Food and Drink Festival, a brand-new two day celebration of local food and drink producers, taking place this summer at Three Counties Showground, Malvern, has announced the exciting details of their Saturday line-up of activities, including some very famous guests.

The festival, which will take place across the weekend of Saturday 29^th and Sunday 30^th July at the Showground, has been dubbed a ‘foodie heaven’. Hosting a programme of celebrity chefs, interactive workshops, masterclasses and family entertainment, as well as plenty of opportunities to taste, sample and shop, the event will bring together some of the region’s most-loved food producers and renowned chefs to celebrate the best local cuisine on offer.

One of the main highlights for visitors to the festival will be the jam-packed schedule of expert demonstrations from a host of celebrity chefs in the festival’s Cookery Theatre, an element of the event which is included in the admission price for all ticket-holders.

Rosemary Shrager, legendary chef, cookery writer, author and star of The Big Family Cooking Showdown, The Real Marigold Hotel and Ladette to Lady, will take to the stage on Saturday 29^th July to share her expertise in classic British cooking. Shrager will take part in a live cookery demonstration, which when combined with her immense broadcast experience and infectious personality, is an event not to be missed.

Joining Rosemary on Saturday 29^th will be Great British Bake Off winner, John Whaite. Since winning the show in 2012, Whaite has been a regular contributor to many UK food magazines and TV shows, as well as appearing weekly on Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch. John has authored five cookery books as well as dancing his way to the final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2021. John will be sharing his love of baking and cooking with the festival audience, alongside his passion for using seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients.

Welsh health and fitness fanatic and Dirty Vegan extraordinaire, Matt Pritchard, also joins the festival’s Saturday offering. In recent years, Pritchard has become known for his work as a vegan chef after adapting to a plant-based lifestyle in 2015. Since then he has been amongst the first group to row the 3,200 miles of the Atlantic, from Fuerteventura to Antigua, along with undertaking many long distance and endurance challenges on a sustainable vegan diet. He will share his passion for healthy plant-based eating, combined with his love of street food and fast-food flavours with audiences at the festival.

Food expert and television presenter, Chris Bavin, will oversee the weekend’s live demonstrations as he plays host in the festival’s Cookery Theatre. Bavin is best known as the host of UK television series Eat Well For Less? which helps families to save money on their grocery bills while eating healthily. Along with this, he has written several books, and will impart his passion for promoting healthy and sustainable eating, while sharing tips on reducing food waste with audiences at the Three Counties Food and Drink Festival.

There will also be a fresh batch of special guests for the show’s second day on Sunday 30^th July, to be announced in the coming weeks.

“I am really excited to be heading to Malvern to join the Saturday and Sunday line-up at the Three Counties Food and Drink Festival, and to host a weekend of fabulous celebrity talent in the Cookery Theatre. I look forward to seeing which dishes the guests whip up for our audiences, and to share my own tips on reducing food waste” said food expert, Chris Bavin.

In addition to the fantastic line-up of celebrity chefs, visitors to the Three Counties Food and Drink Festival will also be able to take part in a range of immersive activities. One of the event’s most popular features is expected to be the Children’s Cookery School, in which youngsters can get their hands messy as they learn to make kitchen staples such as butter, cheese, and ice cream with Lee-Anna Rennie-Johnson, also known as the Dairy Maid, and pasta and gnocchi with Viki of Twiddle Food. These sessions are sure to be popular, and are bookable on the day of the event for just £4 per session on a first-come first-served basis.

Along with the cookery workshops children will also be able to take part in FREE painting and crafts activities with ARTventurers, whilst families can purchase tokens for a selection of on-site fairground rides, and the ever-popular bungee trampolines.

Those visiting the festival without little ones in tow will also be glad to hear that there will be a range of captivating activities for them to indulge in too, including daily Wine Tasting Sessions at noon with Matthew of Woodthorpe Wines. Matthew is an expert in undiscovered wine regions and obscure grape varieties; something which he aims to demonstrate in these exclusive 45 minute tasting adventures. Visitors can book their tickets to these limited sessions online, in advance, to secure their place.

The festival will also feature a selection of over 150 local traders, offering shopping, food and drink opportunities alongside a showcase of the UK’s best street food, bars and vendors, meaning that there will be endless opportunities for festival-goers to see, try and buy the best regional cuisine on offer. With a diverse range of food and drink options, the Three Counties Food and Drink Festival is sure to have something for everyone.

For more information on Three Counties Food and Drink Festival and to purchase tickets please visit www.threecountiesfoodfestival.com.

The full list of regional locations has been released by Three Counties for the much-anticipated RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2023 Giant Welly Tour, following its high profile launch at John Lewis, Cheltenham last month.

The eye-catching feature has been specially designed using new branding to promote the first RHS show of the year, held at the Three Counties Showground from 11 – 14 May, in association with My Pension Expert, and it will soon be heading across Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. The confirmed tour schedule is as follows:

1.            St Peters Garden Centre, Worcestershire – Mon 6 February to Mon 20 February

2.            Gloucester Quays, Gloucester – Mon 20 February to Mon 6 March

3.            Regent Arcade, Cheltenham – Mon 6 March to Mon 20 March

4.            Holloways (Suckley), Worcestershire – Mon 20 March to Mon 3 April

5.            Crowngate Shopping Centre, Worcester – Mon 3 April to Mon 17 April

Keep up to date with the Giant Welly Tour via @MalvernShows on Facebook and Instagram. There is even a chance to win tickets to RHS Malvern Spring Festival when you share your giant welly photos using #RHSMalvern! *T&Cs apply

Don’t forget to post your own photo using #rhsmalvern for a chance to win a pair of tickets to RHS Malvern Spring Festival (Ts &Cs apply)!

Book tickets for RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2023 here: www.rhsmalvern.co.uk

*Terms and Conditions

Prize includes tickets for two adults on winners preferred date of choice. All prizes are non-negotiable, non-transferable and non-refundable. No cash alternative is available. Winners will be contacted through Three Counties social media accounts only. You will not be asked to click any links. The promotion is neither endorsed nor sponsored by Facebook or Instagram.

The Royal Three Counties Show, one of the UK’s largest celebrations of our glorious countryside and rural life, is set to return to Three Counties Showground in Malvern from 16 – 18 June 2023, with a fantastic line-up of new experiences, special guests, family fun, exciting entertainment and outstanding food and drink.

Over the past century, the Royal Three Counties Show has become a much-loved event in the calendar, and now features over 6,000 animals, the UK’s largest collection of rare and native breed animals and numerous livestock national breed shows, with 15 due to be held this year. The show is also proud to host more than 50 prestigious Horse of the Year Show qualifiers (more than any other UK agricultural show) and attracts over 2,000 entries into the spectacular equine classes each year.

The Main Arena will play host to an exciting range of new family entertainment in 2023, including the Prince Philip Cup Pony Club Mounted Games (in which skilled riders and ponies take part in exhilarating races involving tight turns, handovers, vaulting and galloping), a Quad Bike Stunt Display (Friday) and the ‘Imps’ under 18s Motorcycle Display Team (Saturday and Sunday). Returning show favourites, the Red Devils parachute display team are also planned to make an appearance, as well as spectacular horse show jumping, machinery demos and the iconic Grand Parade of Livestock.

At the Countryside Arena, visitors can pause to enjoy a jam-packed schedule of demonstrations, including fascinating sheep dog and gun dog displays or head over to the much-loved, action-packed STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Arena to watch the UK championship competitions unfold. The thrilling sheep shearing contests will also provide plenty of entertainment and the popular Fur, Feather and Farm area, complete withfriendly alpacas and goats and information about the amazing role bees play in our ecosystem and how they produce honey, will delight visitors of all ages.

The new Stable Yard area will feature Pony Clubs from across Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, along with other organisations and experts from the equestrian industry, who will run interactive and informative workshops and demonstrations, giving visitors the chance to interact with horses and ponies, learn how to look after them and find out how to get involved in equestrian care or sports.

There will be plenty of excellent shopping opportunities at this year’s show, including a new Royal Parade hosting an exclusive, premium shopping experience from some of the finest, luxury countrywear retailers and sporting suppliers, complete with champagne bar. A wide range of quality retailers will also be located around the showground, in particular next to the Countryside Arena, so rural sports enthusiasts will be able stock up on essential equipment and clothing.

Following on from the huge success of last year’s tantalising new Food & Drink Festival, the 2023 show will also feature a brand-new Cheese & Dairy Show, offering visitors the chance to sample some of the finest artisan produce from across the three counties and beyond, buy award-winning products, meet the dedicated makers and take part in interactive talks and demonstrations. The hugely popular Three Counties Cider & Perry Festival will return again this year with some of the finest cider and perry from some of the most prestigious orchards in the UK.

The popular Food & Drink Theatre will feature a new line-up of special guest chefs providing mouth-watering demonstrations and showcasing outstanding local produce, while outside of the theatre visitors can enjoy the tastes and smells of some of the UK’s best producers and street food vendors.

The new Future of Farming Area will provide networking opportunities and promote discussions around career opportunities and the latest policies and issues affecting the industry. It will also offer a fascinating insight into the evolution of the agricultural sector by showcasing the very latest cutting-edge technology. The Future of Farming Theatre will also host informative talks and Q&A sessions on these topics with leading experts in the agricultural sector. Additionally, the new Farming Experience Area will provide a space where visitors can get closer to farm animals, find out more about the fascinating processes involved in food and wool production and ask farmers questions about everyday working life in the sector.

Adam Henson, farmer, rural TV presenter and Royal Three Counties Show Ambassador, commented: “The Royal Three Counties Show is not only a wonderful celebration of the British countryside and rural life, but it’s also a really fun day out! I’m proud to be returning again as Show Ambassador and look forward to enjoying all the new experiences at this year’s show.”

Advance day tickets to the Royal Three Counties Show cost £23 for adults and children under 16 are free. For further details of what to expect at this year’s show, or to book tickets now, see www.royalthreecounties.co.uk/ or call 01684 584 924.

The RHS Malvern Spring Festival, a four-day gardening extravaganza held at the Three Counties Showground, in association with My Pension Expert, is set to launch the exciting new RHS 2023 show season from 11 – 14 May 2023, with a whole host of thematic new zones, theatres, immersive experiences and interactive demonstrations.

The RHS Malvern Spring Festival features an unmissable line-up showcasing the country’s best-known expert horticulturalists and TV gardening personalities, the crowning of the very first RHS award-winning gardens of the year, plus a display of new talent and the latest in horticultural trends.

The theme for 2023’s festival is ‘Gardening for Everyone’ and there will be a focus on making gardening and horticulture open and accessible to all, while encouraging sustainable and planet-friendly practices that are kinder to the environment. The brand-new Tips & Tricks Area, complete with a Tips & Tricks Theatre, will help visitors learn how to creatively upcycle or reuse in order to create practical and attractive elements in their own garden.

The huge 190m long RHS Floral Marquee, filled with displays from over 50 of the UK’s best nurseries, will return for 2023 providing the opportunity to seek advice from expert growers and to buy choice plants and rare gems to fill gardens and homes. The new 2023 RHS Malvern Spring Festival Master Grower, confirmed as Hillview Hardy Plants – a family-run nursery based in Shropshire – will also be located within the Floral Marquee.

The Plant Village and Pavilions will provide a one-stop gardening emporium to stock up on British grown plants in flower and bulbs from some of the best nurseries from across the UK. Visitors can leave their purchases in the Plant Creche while they enjoy exploring the rest of the festival, and porters will be on hand to help carry purchases back to the car, free of charge!

A series of stunning Show Gardens and experiential Feature Gardens will provide plenty of inspiration and remain a highlight for many visitors. The ever-popular School Gardens will return once again in 2023, with the theme ‘Bring your favourite book to life’, inspiring children to connect creatively and sustainably with nature.

The Festival Theatre will once again feature a stellar line-up of expert horticulturalists and TV gardening personalities, with details to be unveiled in early 2023.

Also new for 2023 is the Bloom & Grow Area which will feature garden sundries retailers plus an allotment garden with experts on hand to provide advice about growing your own salad, herbs, and vegetables at home. In the Bloom & Grow Theatre, visitors will be able to watch demos and displays from local florists and pick up top tips for growing not just plants and flowers at home, but herbs and vegetables too.

In the new Fire & Smoke Theatre, visitors will be able to pick up ideas to improve their alfresco cooking at home by watching live demonstrations from a range of talented chefs and outstanding local food producers. There will also be numerous artisan food producers exhibiting some of the best food and drink Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire have to offer across the showground, complemented with mouth-watering international cuisines.

There will be plenty of family fun for all ages in the Discovery Dome across the long weekend, with arts and crafts sessions, science-based activities, workshops and entertainment.

Jane Edwards, Head of Shows at Three Counties Showground, commented, “Taking place in May, RHS Malvern Spring Festival is the first RHS Show of the season and this year the theme is ‘Gardening for Everyone’. Whether you’re on a budget and are looking for ways to upcycle a pallet into an outdoor table or you want to create an outdoor kitchen, we’ll have something to inspire you at the 2023 festival.”

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

Winter Glow, a multi-attraction Christmas event based in Malvern, have told visitors to expect ‘next level indulgence’ as they confirmed the return of their popular Food Quarter, along with a new Christmas Bar to allow visitors to eat, drink and be merry in style this festive season.

The event, which takes place each year at Three Counties Showground, Worcestershire, has also announced the decision to move their Food Quarter inside for 2022, allowing guests to warm up after their walk around the event’s Light Trail or after a brisk session gliding around Winter Glow’s Ice Rink.

2022’s food line-up will feature firm local favourites from across Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, including the regions finest pizza makers Marvellous Medicine and the fish and chip kings Sticky Fig, who return after first appearing at the 2021 event. Chicken connoisseurs Le Coq will also join the foodie line-up, along with Midlands favourites Hungry Monkey Catering. New additions for 2022, will be Mac ST Diner and Puds Puds, Brisket Bros and Nutella Hut Doughnuts and Crepes, alongside all the regular food favourites.

Mac ST Diner commented: “We can’t wait to attend! Events like Winter Glow used to be a key part of our childhood Christmas, and now much older we are able to attend along with our very own food business, how cool is that!”

Alongside the Food Quarter, Winter Glow’s brand-new bar will bring a taste of Bavaria to the event, providing the perfect place for visitors to enjoy a festive tipple from an extensive menu – whether that be a warming mulled wine, ice cold lager or spiced cider.

Winter Glow’s Food Quarter and Bavarian Bar are free to enter, and don’t require a ticket or pre-booking. Visitors to these areas will also have access to Winter Glow’s brand-new Indoor Christmas Market, which will showcase a selection of local small businesses, and offer the opportunity for event-goers to tick some Christmas shopping off their to-do list.

Winter Glow’s Food Quarter and Bavarian Bar will be open from Friday 25^th November 2022 – 2^nd January 2023. For full opening dates and times please visit https://winterglow.co.uk/food-quarter-cafe-winter-bar/.

Tickets for Winter Glow’s four main festive attractions – Ice skating, Light Trail, Santa Experiences and Observation Wheel can be booked at www.winterglow.co.uk

2023 heralds the return of the unmissable full show line-up at Three Counties Showground in Malvern, Worcestershire:

• CountryTastic – 6^th April, 2023 – The region’s most popular family event takes place each Easter and promises a fun-filled day of events, activities and entertainment for the whole family. Limited tickets are on sale advance only.

• RHS Malvern Spring Festival – 11 – 14 May, 2023 – Each year this spectacular Festival inspires and nurtures new and existing talent in the gardening sphere, through a varied programme that includes the first RHS Show Gardens of 2023, engaging demonstrations, interesting talks and a whole host of knowledgeable growers, nurseries, designers and gardening experts on hand. The 2023 Festival will encourage creativity in an affordable and accessible way, arming visitors with useful tips and new skills that can be applied to gardens at home, balconies, pots and even allotments.

• Royal Three Counties Show – 16 – 18 June, 2023 – The annual celebration of food and farming is back for 2023 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 – 22 – 24 September, 2023 – 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, BBC Gardeners World presenters make regular appearances across no less than 4 Talk Theatres, one of the country’s biggest Grow to Show competitions, outdoor and countryside shopping arcades and bags of family fun and entertainment.

Take a look to find out more and buy tickets –

CountryTastic 2023 – Home

RHS Malvern Spring Festival

Royal Three Counties Show 2023 | Three Counties Showground

Malvern Autumn Show 2023 | 22, 23 & 24 September 2023