The RHS Chelsea Flower Show may be the hot ticket event of the season for gardening enthusiasts, but this year there’s a new horticultural spectacle in town: The Great Garden Show at The Newt in Somerset. This month, the 250-year-old working estate – encompassing farmland, orchards, a luxury hotel and a cyder cellar – invites the public to its own garden festival. The Newt was the headline sponsor of RHS Chelsea Flower Show for four consecutive years until last spring, so is this new Great Garden Show – running from 9th May to the 17th, just as Chelsea is gearing up for its opening day – a daring attempt to take on Chelsea at its own game? Visitors at The Great Garden Show © The Newt in Somerset I visited The Great Garden Show to find out all about it. The Great Garden Show – it’s not what you might expect According to The Newt, the show draws on the estate’s previous partnership with RHS Chelsea, bringing the iconic flower show’s spirit to rural Somerset. Having passed on the baton to a new sponsor, The Newt has set itself a fresh challenge: “to teach people useful things about gardening in nine days”. It only takes a few moments at The Newt’s Great Garden Show to see the event is a completely different offering to Chelsea. With expert talks, workshops and a variety of unusual, pre-bookable activities, this is a nine-day programme of fun and fascinating events. While some workshops have an extra cost, entry to The Great Garden Show for non-members is cheaper than other shows, at £25 per person, and under-16s go free. A tour of the gardens at The Newt in Somerset © Alice Tuffery There are no show gardens here; instead, there’s the chance to explore The Newt’s expansive gardens at leisure – a privilege usually reserved for those with membership. That’s not to say there’s nothing new to see if you’re already a member; there’s a fresh ‘Symphony of Colour’ planting scheme across the Victorian Beds, Scented Gardens and Colour Gardens. To celebrate the launch of The Newt’s new rosé wine on Thursday, the gardeners have refreshed the Cottage Garden with pastel pink planting too. Rosé-inspired planting in the Cottage Garden © Alice Tuffery The Great Garden Show puts its focus on learning and crafts, and there’s no shortage of interesting workshops to join. Visitors can try their hand at flower hammering, join a fermentation class and take an ancient tree walk. Mid-week, learn how to espalier, make compost or craft natural plant supports. The Newt: a garden for all seasons Big changes for RHS Flower Shows in 2026: here’s what’s different RHS Chelsea Flower Show to be sponsored by Range Rover in 2026 Across the nine days, The Newt is also welcoming a host of famous horticultural faces to share their expert insight. On Saturday 16th, TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh, no-dig expert Charles Dowding, setting architect Marian Boswall and others will lend their advice at a Newt Question Time. A floral workshop at The Great Garden Show © The Newt in Somerset Despite the many visitors – even on a Monday morning – the Great Garden Show has a relaxed atmosphere, with plenty of spaces to explore. Dotted around are live musicians and pop-up refreshment opportunities like barbecues – plus tractor and cyder tours. Book ahead and you can collect your very own Cyder Bar picnic to enjoy on the day. A willow-weaving demonstration © Alice Tuffery Towards the end of the show, on Saturday 16th, The Newt has lined up a day of celebrations, featuring country crafts and traditions. We’re told there will be Maypole and Morris dancing, and a communal art project to get involved with, as well as a plant fair. On top of the many activities, workshops and talks taking place in the show programme, there are even smaller ‘festivals’ happening within the show. Visitors to the estate’s Roman Villa can watch gladiatorial reenactments, make flower crowns and sample Roman food, and later on, see bowl turning, spinning and weaving demos and have a go at archery – all part of the
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