The 195th Taunton Flower Show returned to Vivary Park on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th August, bringing two days of horticulture, entertainment, music, food and community spirit to the heart of Taunton.
With dry, sunny and very warm weather across the weekend, the show attracted a huge footfall, with visitors enjoying everything the much-loved event had to offer. From spectacular floral displays and home-grown produce to live music, arena entertainment and an impressive array of traders, there was something to appeal to visitors of all ages.
One of the main visual centrepieces of the show was undoubtedly the Floral Marquee, which once again showcased an impressive standard of horticultural excellence.
Professional growers and specialist nurseries filled the marquee with magnificent and award-winning displays of vibrant seasonal blooms, unusual and rare plants, and stunning floral creations. It was a feast for the eyes and a reminder of why the Taunton Flower Show remains such an important event on the horticultural calendar.
The Floral Marquee was also home to a programme of talks from gardening experts throughout the day, giving visitors the opportunity to pick up tips, advice and inspiration for their own gardens.
A particular highlight was Gardener’s Question Time, broadcast live on Apple FM and hosted by Apple FM’s Phil Hodgson. Members of the audience were able to put their gardening questions to a panel of experts, making for informative and entertaining sessions.
The Competition Marquee provided another fascinating glimpse into the talents of local residents. Around 250 classes featured judged entries from amateur gardeners, crafters and children, covering everything from flowers and vegetables to floral art, home produce, wine making and handmade crafts.
With more than 50 trophies and thousands of pounds in prize money up for grabs, the competition was clearly taken seriously by its enthusiastic entrants. The quality and variety of the exhibits demonstrated the wealth of creative and horticultural talent within the local community.
For visitors, wandering around the marquee offered plenty of opportunities to admire the entries and perhaps pick up a little inspiration for next year’s show.
Away from the flowers, the Main Arena provided plenty of excitement and proved a major draw for the crowds.
Among the attractions was Dangerous Steve, who entertained audiences with a series of daring stunts. There was also a spectacular display combining horse riding and falconry, showcasing both impressive horsemanship and the skill of the magnificent birds.
Marching bands added plenty of colour and sound to proceedings, while the ever-popular duck herding provided a more unusual and entertaining spectacle.
As ever, Apple FM played a major part in the weekend, broadcasting live from Vivary Park and bringing the sights, sounds and atmosphere of the Flower Show to listeners who were unable to attend in person.
A huge team of dedicated presenters took to the airwaves across the two days, broadcasting live for an impressive 15 hours in total. Their coverage captured the atmosphere of the event and gave listeners a taste of what was happening around the park.
The station also hosted one of the show’s two music stages, situated in the Wilton Lands area of Vivary Park, providing a steady stream of live entertainment throughout the weekend.
Music was another important part of the show’s atmosphere, with two stages providing live performances. One was beautifully situated around Vivary Park’s famous water fountain, while the Apple FM stage in the Wilton Lands area offered another focal point for music lovers.
And, of course, no Flower Show would be complete without plenty of shopping and refreshments.
There was a huge selection of stallholders spread throughout the park, offering everything from plants and gardening products to crafts, gifts, food and drink. Numerous food vendors ensured visitors were well catered for, while the abundance of ice cream sellers proved particularly welcome in the warm summer sunshine.
The 2026 Taunton Flower Show was a fitting celebration of an event that has been part of the town’s identity for almost two centuries.
