Essex


<p>Who’s in need of a blast of late flowers and garden-themed goodness? Maybe with some tasty Essex foodie and drinkie goodies thrown in, and more celebrity gardeners than you can shake a dibber at?&nbsp; Well, it just so happens, we can help with that as the <a href="https://www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com/autumn-fair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BBC <em>Gardeners&#8217; World</em> Autumn Fair</a> pitches its festival-sized potting shed at Audley End House and Gardens for a bloomin&#8217; brilliant weekend (30 Aug –  1 Sep) of quality plant and garden gear shopping, free talks, workshops, live music, plus street food and drink.</p>



<p>Dig it? Check out our pick of horticultural highlights in 2024:</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-it-s-a-who-s-who-of-celeb-gardeners">1/ It&#8217;s a who&#8217;s who of celeb gardeners</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/Rachel-De-Thame-NEW-square-e1723622670377.jpg" alt="Gardener Rachel De Thame" class="wp-image-18049" /></figure>



<p>An army of horticultural A list will be heading to Essex. BBC&nbsp;<em>Gardeners&#8217; World</em>&nbsp;presenters Rachel de Thames, Joe Swift and Adam Frost will be sharing their insider tips over the weekend. Rachel will be taking to the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine stage (Sun 1 Sep) will be sharing top tips and expert know-how to help you get the most out of your garden. Grab a copy of her latest book,&nbsp;<em>A Flower Garden for Pollinators</em>, and come away with lots of planting ideas for the butterflies, moths, bees and useful garden beasties. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-5.jpg" alt="Joe Swift BBC Gardeners World" class="wp-image-18020" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-5.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-5-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-5-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Don&#8217;t miss Joe Swift (Sat 31 Aug) – he&#8217;ll be giving practical tips, topical advice, and the ultimate growing guide to get the best out of your garden this autumn and Adam Frost&#8217;s talks (Fri 30 Aug) are always full of amusing stories, advice and inspiration. The Get Growing Stage will also see <em>This Morning</em> chef Marcus Bean, Adam Kirtland star of the <em>Tales From The Potting Bench</em> podcast and a gaggle of pro gardeners including Lucy Chamberlain and Ade Sellars. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-fabulous-plant-shopping">2/ Fabulous plant shopping</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-9.jpg" alt="BBC Gardeners' World Fair 2024 (9)" class="wp-image-18024" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-9.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-9-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-9-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Get a tingle going into garden centre? Prepare for a <em>biiiiig</em> tingle because here are 30 plant nurseries, brimming with gorgeous plants, from cottage-core lovelies and romantic climbers to veg plants and scented herbs. Many of the plants are grown right here in the UK – so they&#8217;re better suited to our gardens – and there will be plenty of rare and exotic varieties to test your will power and gardening abilities. The best bit? You can learn how <em>not </em>to kill the latest member of your plant family from the person who knows best – the grower. <a href="https://www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com/autumn-fair/exhibitor-list/?search=&amp;letter=&amp;sortBy=&amp;cat%5B%5D=121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Here’s the nursery list</a>. Don&#8217;t worry about walking about camoflaged by your purchases, there&#8217;s a Plant Crèche so you can shop, drop and carry home later. Genius.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-make-a-bouquet">3/ Make a bouquet</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-13.jpg" alt="Bouquet workshop bbc Gardeners World Autumn Fair" class="wp-image-18028" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-13.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-13-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-13-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-13-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;re going to the effort of growing flowers, you might as well learn how to display them like a pro. Book your spot on one of the <a href="https://www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com/autumn-fair/whatson/workshops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">workshops</a>, we&#8217;re making a dash for the autumn garden bouquet class, but if you have kids in tow, the bug hotel making workshops led by Adam Kirtland could be a winner. The Caley Brother’s sell-out grow-your-own oyster mushroom workshops also return. Add to basket, stat, they&#8217;re always a sell out.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-the-stonking-location">4/ The stonking location</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-18.jpg" alt="AUDLEY END HOUSE AND GARDENS BBC GARDENERS WORLD FAIR" class="wp-image-18033" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-18.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-18-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-18-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-18-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Pass the smelling salts, because Audley End House and Gardens – architectural star of <em>The Crown</em> – is a swoonworthy heritage hottie. The 17th century Jacobean mansion is surrounded by 100 acres of parterre gardens and Capability Brown landscaped parkland so don&#8217;t miss the opportunity to have a nose. Plant Experts, Lucy Chamberlain, Saul Walker and the English Heritage gardens team, who will be hosting guided tours of the organic Kitchen Garden (bookable). Visitors can also join drop-in tours on the day, including one lead by ‘Capability Brown’ (psst it&#8217;s not really him) as he shares his plans for the local landscape. Your Autumn Fair ticket gives you access all areas roaming to Audley End House and Gardens, so it&#8217;s well worth adding to your itinerary.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-fun-for-foodies">5/ Fun for foodies</h2>



<p>No limp sarnies and weak cups of tea for you, my friend. We’re all greedy foodies at Muddy so knowing an event will go the extra mile is kinda important and the Autumn Fair doesn&#8217;t disappoint. The Good Food Market is the place to head when you&#8217;re in need to refreshments – liquid or otherwise. You&#8217;ll find a smorgasbord of artisan producers, street food and an outdoor bar to serve up a much needed chilled rosé. Hide &amp; Greek will be serving chicken and tzatziki pittas, and we&#8217;ll be making a beeline for Ivor&#8217;s Ice Cream.  Eat, drink and enjoy the live music from the bandstand – wear your roomiest outfits (zero regrets).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-roll-out-the-green-carpet-and-be-a-vip">6/ Roll out the green carpet and be a VIP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-17.jpg" alt="BBC Gardeners World Autumn Fair Audley End Essex" class="wp-image-18032" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-17.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-17-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-17-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/BBC-Gardeners-World-Fair-2024-17-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Want to treated like the queen you are? <a href="https://www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com/autumn-fair/whatson/vip-extra/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Upgrade your tickets</a> and book the VIP package. The green carpet will be rolled out for you, glasses of fizz and there&#8217;s a special lounge for you to refuel and relax when all the plant action gets a bit much. You&#8217;ll also be sent home with a goody bag – what&#8217;s not to love about that?! </p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com/autumn-fair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BBC Gardeners&#8217; World Autumn Fair</a> is at Audley End House &amp; Gardens, Essex from 30 Aug – 1 Sep 2024. Tickets from £16.50; English Heritage members from £13.50. </em> </p>


We dig it! 6 reasons to go to BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair

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