Family Fun at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

With activities involving earthworms and butterflies, the opportunity to get your hands dirty and plant up pots, a special nature discovery trail and gardens designed by children and for children, The Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is a great day out for all little seedlings! This year family fun and getting kids out into the garden is a key focus at the world’s largest annual flower show, with a number of activities, including ‘Magic of Gardening’ children’s workshops taking place over the weekend of 7 & 8 July

Bob Sweet, RHS organiser of the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, said: “Today, with concerns about childhood obesity and environmental issues looming large, encouraging kids to have fun in the garden has never been more important. With majestic surroundings, space to picnic and to play against a profusion of horticultural delights, Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is the perfect place for children to be inspired and to discover the magic of plants and gardens.”

This year children have played a direct role in designing three of the gardens. TV gardener Chris Beardshaw and The Department for Education & Skills (DFES) has been working with over 30 schools nationwide to create the Growing Schools Garden – Learning Outside the Classroom. This multi-sensory garden, with fruit and vegetables, is designed to inspire kids of all ages and help them grow their understanding of the natural environment and importance of healthy eating.

The Willow Pattern Plot, by Sheddingdean Community Primary School, celebrates the school’s 20th anniversary. As China is the classic gift associated with 20th anniversaries, it is inspired by Spode and its timeless Willow Pattern. Alton Infant School’s garden, Learning to Look After Our World Garden, represents a microcosm of the school grounds. It includes a wild area, fruit and veg plot and is designed for education and fun. The garden teaches children about conservation, recycling, organic gardening, plant and animal life cycles and caring for our world. All the children, their parents and wider town community have contributed to the garden in some way.

There are also gardens designed to tempt children out to play, or to learn outdoors. Chris Gutteridge’s Child’s Play is a garden with no boundaries, intended for children to expend energy. Groundwork West London’s, Playscape Community Play Garden, is a natural playground for kids and returns the garden to a simple source of pleasure, where grassy mounds, fallen trees and boulders provide the play areas. The Centrepoint Garden by Claire Whitehouse, embodies the charity’s aspirations for the homeless young people it helps. One aspect of the garden is a play area for toddlers, who live at Centrepoint’s hostel for homeless young mothers. There are also raised beds filled with vegetables that can be used to teach young people about the value of growing and eating good, healthy food.

For the first time families visiting on Saturday and Sunday (7-8 July) can enjoy ‘Magic of Gardening’ Workshops. Children’s gardening character, Mr Rotavator, hosts a series of half hour sessions, where children and parents are invited to marvel at the wonders of the natural world and its effect on the garden, as well as explore unusual plants and fruits.

Budding naturalists might like to take part in the first ever Hampton Court Palace Flower Show Nature Trail. Kid’s can pick up a Nature Trail leaflet taking them on a magical tour and encouraging them to discover the wonderful and mystical world of plants on display around the show. There is also additional entertainment designed with kids, of all ages, in mind!

For tickets to the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, call the ticket hotline on 0870 906 3791 (public line) or 0870 906 3790 (RHS Members). Tickets range from £13 to £30 with children aged 5-15 years £5 and under-5’s going free. For further show information and online booking visit www.rhs.org.uk/flowershows.