The 194th edition of the Taunton Flower Show, held on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd August 2025, once again transformed Vivary Park into a vibrant celebration of horticulture, creativity and community spirit. As the oldest show of its kind in the UK and the second oldest flower show in the world, the event continues to uphold its rich legacy with flair and innovation. Blessed with dry, sunny and pleasantly mild weather, the show welcomed thousands of visitors who strolled through the beautifully curated grounds soaking in the sights, scents, and sounds of summer. Whether you came for the flowers, the food, the music or the magic of community this year’s show was a true celebration of all things blooming and beautiful.
For those unable to attend in person, Apple FM’s 16 hours of live broadcasting brought the show to life over the airwaves offering interviews, live music and on-the-ground updates that captured the essence of the event. Apple FM broadcasted from their newly refurbished outside broadcast trailer (shown above), made possible by a Taunton Town Council grant.
The Competition Marquee was a hive of activity, featuring an impressive array of entries across categories including fruit, vegetables, flowers, homecrafts, floral art, floristry, winemaking and photography. The inclusion of creative classes for under-17s added a delightful youthful energy. With over 50 trophies and £5,000 in prize money up for grabs, the standard of entries was as high as ever.
The Floral Marquee dazzled with displays from specialist growers and hosted educational talks and the ever-popular Gardener’s Question Time, broadcast live on Apple FM. Hosted by presenter Phil Hodgson, the panel of experts fielded questions from an eager audience blending horticultural wisdom with good humour.
The Wilton Stage, also hosted by Apple FM, brought a lively soundtrack to the Artisan Village, where local traders showcased handmade goods and culinary delights. A second music stage near the Vivary Park fountain added to the festive atmosphere, offering a more relaxed setting for musical enjoyment.
The Designer Gardens section was a standout, with compact yet stunning garden installations that demonstrated what can be achieved in just a few square metres. Nearby, the Plant Village offered visitors the chance to take home a piece of the show with a wide variety of plants available for purchase.
The Main Arena thrilled audiences with a dynamic programme including formation horse riding, BMX stunt displays and other crowd-pleasing acts that kept the energy high throughout both days.
If you weren’t able to attend this year, take a look at the video below. Louise Mills, one of our Community Matters team, takes you on tour of the showground.
