Taunton Flower Show is held in Vivary Park in Taunton and has a rich history, having been a fixture since 1831.

Competitions

At the heart of the show are the large competitive classes and floral classes marquees. The competitive classes are open to all and consist of approximately 250 different classes for amateur gardeners, crafters, floral artists and children. The floral marquee features traders who mount displays of their flowers and plants. Around the marquees, and throughout the showground, are a wide range of horticultural, gardening, craft and local food traders.

Lots of Entertainment

At the centre of the park is an arena featuring acts such as animal displays and family entertainment. The show also features other smaller marquees. It plays host to the South West Honey Show. It also features a wine show and competition. There is a children’s zone where our younger visitors can be entertained. The activities in the show are free for children. Children can also enter the show for free with a paying adult.

Designer Gardens

For several years the show have held a competition to encourage professional garden designers to build show-gardens where you can be inspired. For those wanted to try their hand at garden designing, Taunton Flower Show has a Ready, Steady, Garden competition. This allows amateurs to try designing something in an hour and features a children’s version of Saturdays.

How it began

Shows were first held in 1831 and, in 1851 a show was held in the grounds of Wilton House, owned by a Mr Kinglake of Taunton. Over the course of time Vivary Park was established at the top of the towns High Street. The park was fully restored in 2001 and continues to provide a magnificent backdrop to the show. In recent years it has been rather grandly dubbed “The Chelsea of the West” for many years.

Some interruptions!

In some early years the show was run more than once a year. It has run almost continuously since 1831. The only interruptions have been the two World Wars and, most recently, the impact of Covid. In 1997, Vivary Park was severely flooded the night before the show. The show had to be cancelled, but judging of the already staged exhibits in the Floral Marquee went ahead!

Horticulture at the heart of the Show

Throughout its long history the show has always had horticulture at its heart. In recognition of the need to attract a new generation of green-fingered enthusiasts, The show commits to developing the various gardening features as well as the floral and craft displays.