Tens of thousands of people descended on Three Counties Showground over the last four days to celebrate all things horticultural at a record-breaking RHS Malvern Spring Festival.
More than 102,000 people came through the gates over the four days – the highest attendance ever-recorded at the festival, which ended in glorious spring sunshine on Sunday after a wet start on Thursday.
The event, held in association with Great Little Breaks, featured eight stunning Show Gardens, five innovative Green Living Spaces, 11 school gardens and 70 nurseries and exhibitors in the spectacular Floral Marquee – and even a successful wedding proposal!
Overall, more than 40 exhibitors were awarded top honours at the show, with 42 RHS Gold Medals and five highly-commended awards. The RHS also awarded its first-ever gold medal to a Ukrainian when judges gave the top accolade to Anna Galagan.
The festival’s Floral Marquee had the biggest success with over half the exhibitors taking home a gold medal.
And the Great Pavilion of Arts and Flowers had the most romantic touch of the event, with a wedding proposal on Sunday afternoon.
Special guests who attended the event included Monty Don, Jo Whiley, Raymond Blanc, John Torode, Carol Klein, Frances Tophill, Joe Swift and Sarah Raven.
Three Counties Head of Shows Diana Walton said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with how the festival has gone – every year it just keeps on growing.
“To see the enjoyment that everyone has had, from the visitors to the traders, the designers to the children, fills us with joy and excitement.
“I’m incredibly proud of our whole team who have worked tirelessly to make the event the success that it has been and are already sowing the seeds for an amazing 2020.”
The Great Little Breaks Festival Threatre drew in the crowds with everything from floral art catwalk shows and floristry challenges to question and answer sessions with some of the country’s top horticultural experts. The theatre was transformed into a beach-themed space thanks to 19 tonnes of sand and six tonnes of rock thanks to headline sponsors, Great Little Breaks.
Diana said: “It was great to work alongside our headline sponsors Great Little Breaks to transport our visitors to the great British seaside – we would like to say a huge thanks to them for their support throughout the whole event.”