It's known as Britain's biggest church fete. From humble beginnings, the Sandringham Flower Show has grown to become one of the most prestigious horticultural events in the eastern region.
Now in its 141st year, the show is always held on the last Wednesday of July - which this year falls on the 31st - and attracts around 20,000 visitors to Sandringham Park, with Sandringham House and Sandringham Church as a backdrop.
The King is renowned for his love of horticulture and it known to be an event that he looks forward to. Traditionally King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the show and meet the exhibitors.
It was also always an important date in the Queen Mother's diary and in her later years she would tour the show on a golf buggy.
The show is packed with inspiration for your garden and outdoor living.
It features exhibits by many of the region's leading nurseries and horticultural specialists, plus beautiful display gardens created by leading designers, around 200 trade stands and a craft marquee. There is also a large arena with a packed entertainment programme, which this year includes a gun dog display, music, quad bike stunt shows and the Shetland Pony Grand National.
The Royal marquees contain the competitions in vegetables, fruit, flowers and floral art, with the entries grown by local residents; there are also some open classes which anyone may enter.
In the amateurs’ marquee, local gardening and horticultural clubs enter a judged display competition, while the Horticultural Trades marquee features displays by leading nurseries.
In the month before the show, estate employees, pensioners and tenants have the opportunity to enter their gardens into two judged competitions and on show day, the King George Vl Challenge Cup and the Queen Mother Challenge Cup are presented to the winners.
There is also the Gardeners' Forum with TV gardeners Chris Beardshaw and Alan Mason, joined by Martyn Davey, former head of horticulture and design at Easton College, radio gardener and allotment expert Terry Walton and Nick Hamilton from Barnsdale Gardens which includes a Gardeners’ Questions event.
Chris and Alan will also judge the show gardens. Certificates are awarded for Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver and Bronze Awards and the 'Best in Show' in each category is also presented with the Eastern Daily Press trophy. There is also a certificate for the 'People's Choice' in each category voted for by the public attending the show.
The event is organised by a dedicated team of volunteers and since 1977, profits have been donated to local charities - more than £825,000 so far..
This year Sandringham Gardens have become a new RHS garden partner, and in 2026 an RHS Flower Show will be held on the estate.
Sandringham Flower Show is on July 31. Admission costs £19 in advance, £21 on the gate and includes entry to Sandringham Gardens and Sandringham Church. sandringhamflowershow.org
Show gardens
The garden designers for the 2024 Sandringham Flower Show are:
Large gardens
Lorraine Baker (Farm & Country Gardens Ltd)
Dean and Jodie Price (Dean Price Landscapes)
Small gardens
Susie and Andy Crooke (ABC)
Seth Mellor
Emma Pickering (Hedgehog Trust)
Dwayne Cloxton (Ground Maintenance)
Main marquee
Kevin Myhill and Woodgate Nurseries
