Healthy homegrown produce will be the dish of the day at the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair at Beaulieu which opens 28-30 April, with a rich menu of veg-packed features to tempt foodies and gardeners alike. The Theatre of Greens showcase garden, designed by multi award-winning garden designer, Paul Stone (Eden Project gardens and three Platinum Awards and Best in Show at BBC Gardeners’ World Live), will feature a display of seasonal veg, providing a delicious backdrop for a daily programme of food demonstrations and expert advice.
The new Theatre of Greens showcase garden includes an intimate, integrated talks area which will be hosted by BBC TV food presenter, Chris Bavin (Eat Well For Less, Tomorrow’s Food, Food: truth or scare) where he’ll welcome a line-up of greens-loving guests, to chat all things ‘plot-to-plate’. James Golding and Kelvin Mullins, Head Chef and Pastry Chef at The Pig Hotels respectively, along with Lime Wood’s Chef Director, Luke Holder, will be joining The Pig Hotels’ Head Kitchen Gardener, Ollie Hutson, and barman Remi Bennett, at the Theatre of Greens daily to share some gourmet no-cook recipes accompanied by some refreshing Kitchen Garden cocktails.
Life-long veg grower, Chris Collins from Garden Organic (former Blue Peter gardener), will be sharing his tips alongside Garden Organic’s backyard micro-veg plot, displaying a selection of sustainable elements and eco-friendly ideas to help visitors welcome more wildlife into their gardens. Visitors will also be able to learn all about the benefits of mushroom growing ‘for mind, body and soil’ from Caley Brothers who use recycled coffee grounds and a low tech, sustainable growing environment to grow gourmet mushrooms in Sussex. Caley Brothers will be demystifying mushroom growing at home with a programme of hands-on workshops during the Spring Fair (book in advance).
At the Spring Fair’s BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Stage there’s a daily programme of talks by the magazine’s editors and special guests, including plot to plate and thrifty growing advice from BBC Gardeners’ World presenters, Frances Tophill (Friday), Arit Anderson (Saturday) and Adam Frost (Sunday), and plant advice from Matt Biggs (Radio 4 Gardeners’ Question Time), Jo Fell from Hillier Nurseries and other plant specialist guests. Stage sponsor Regent Seven Seas Cruises will be hosting a daily talk, taking visitors on a journey to some of the great gardens and plants of the world.
From the social media world, popular grow-your-own influencers will be joining Chris Bavin at The Theatre of Greens to shine their own spotlight on veg. Organic market gardener Alex Horne (Essex Allotment Farm) will be demonstrating a classic brunch dish with a twist – Smashed Broad Beans, allotmenteer Jess Hunter (Allotment and Cake) will be whizzing up a Nasturtium Pesto from homegrown ingredients, and Jason Williams (Cloud Gardener UK) will be inspiring visitors to create a small space container garden that’s perfect for urban veg growing.
In the Palace House Victorian Kitchen, chefs James Golding, Luke Holder and Kelvin Mullins, re-join The Pig Hotels’ Head Kitchen Gardener, Ollie Hutson, for some cooking demonstrations hosted by Chris Bavin and inspired by produce from The Pig‘s Kitchen Garden.
To learn more about Beaulieu’s own history of produce growing, Head Gardener, Kelvin Yapp, and plant experts Lucy Chamberlain (Head Gardener at East Donyland Hall, Essex) and Saul Walker (Head Gardener at Stonelands House, Devon) will be hosting Plant Expert Tours of Beaulieu’s working Victorian Kitchen and Ornamental Gardens. Restored to its 1872 layout, the Kitchen Garden and its 100-year-old vine house still supply Palace House with seasonal veg, fruit and flowers (book in advance, subject to availability).
Bringing the flavours of spring to Beaulieu, the Spring Fair’s BBC Good Food Market will offer a range of tempting eats and drinks, with artisan food and drink producers, delicious street food options and an alfresco bar.
Tickets for the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair include access to all of Beaulieu’s stunning grounds, gardens and attractions, including Palace House, the National Motor Museum, the Monorail, and Little Beaulieu adventure play area.
Ollie Hutson, Head Kitchen Gardener at The Pig Hotel, said: “The kitchen garden is the heart of our operations, from our restaurant menus and cocktails to our wellness treatments. Our ethos is to only use produce that we grow ourselves or can source from within 25 miles. We’re really looking forward to being at the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, to sharing our love of fresh, seasonal ingredients with visitors. We hope they’ll feel inspired to get growing, to recreate some of the dishes at home.”
Frances Tophill, Gardeners’ World presenter and expert, said “With food security much in the news, it’s great to be shining a light on home growing and I’m looking forward to talking to visitors about growing food to eat. No matter what kind of space you have for growing, planting and gardening, the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair is a great place to find inspiration, expertise, practical advice and some wonderful plants. There’s delicious food and drink to be tempted by too!”
Visitors to the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair can enjoy a host of horticultural highlights, like the spectacular Secret Garden inspired Show Garden by headline partner, Hillier, a relaxing Nordic Retreat Showcase Garden by The Landscape Service, Beautiful Borders packed with inspiration for small gardens and challenging spaces, College Gardens designed by local horticultural students, Floral Crown workshops with the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies’ (NAFAS), and more than 150 exhibitors selling plants, garden tools, kit and accessories, plus a Plant Crèche for hassle-free shopping. For visitors keen to have a go at ‘plot to plate’ gardening, specialist exhibitors including My Little Allotment, VegePod and Kitchen Garden Plant Centre, will have a range of grow your own essentials to browse and buy.
New for 2023 is the Club Lounge, sponsored by Woodland Trust, where BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine subscribers and Hillier Gardening Club members can enjoy daily talks with special guests, refreshments and additional seating.
Tickets for the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair at Beaulieu are on sale at bbcgardenersworldfair.com.