BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair returns to Audley End this August
The BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair is set to return to the historic Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden from 29–31 August 2025, promising visitors a weekend packed with inspiration, gardening expertise, and seasonal celebration. The fair is hosted in partnership with English Heritage, offering a unique blend of horticultural creativity and heritage charm.
At the heart of this year’s show is a headline feature garden by award-winning designer Pip Probert, known for her work on Your Garden Made Perfect. Her Make a Metre Matter garden brings to life the BBC campaign encouraging gardeners to transform one square metre of space for the good of the planet. The design incorporates wildlife-friendly planting, edible crops, and creative reuse of materials to show just how much can be achieved in a tiny plot.
Visitors can enjoy expert insight from BBC Gardeners’ World presenters including Adam Frost, Arit Anderson, Rachel de Thame and Frances Tophill, who will appear on the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Stage alongside host and gardening writer David Hurrion. A brand-new feature for 2025, the In Conversation with stage, offers more intimate chats with popular figures such as houseplant expert Joe Bagley, nature writer Nic Wilson, and kitchen gardener Stephanie Hafferty.
Food and floristry take centre stage at The Autumn Table, a stylish new space hosted by BBC food presenter Chris Bavin. Demonstrations include apple and cheese pairings with urban smallholder Sara Ward, dried flower wreath making with Shilpa Reddy of The London School of Floristry, and the Japanese art of Ikebana by Jordan Weston, also known as The Bearded Botanist.
For those wanting a more hands-on experience, the fair offers workshops including mushroom growing with the Caley Brothers, bug hotel building with Adam Kirtland, and autumn bouquet making with award-winning florist Kim O’Brien. Meanwhile, guided tours of Audley End’s organic Kitchen Garden with the English Heritage team and Plant Experts including Lucy Chamberlain and Saul Walker provide deeper insight into seasonal growing.
The Showcase Gardens and Beautiful Borders return with fresh ideas and striking designs. The Association of Professional Landscapers marks its 30th anniversary with a walk-through wildlife garden, while Downing College presents a tree-themed garden exploring nature’s life cycles. Smaller Borders explore topics such as multicultural identity, mental health, horses and biodiversity, and connections between people and plants.
With over 60 plant nurseries and garden retailers on site, visitors can shop everything from bulbs and baskets to tools and trees. Purchases can be safely stored at the Plant Crèche, run by English Heritage volunteers. A vibrant food and drink offering includes street food stalls, the Good Food Market, coffee bars, an afternoon tea tent, and cocktail stations, all complemented by live music on the bandstand.
All tickets include full access to Audley End House and its grounds, including the grand mansion, state rooms, kitchen garden, stables, chapel, and play area. Dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens. Advance adult tickets start from £24.50, with concession rates, VIP Extra packages and English Heritage member discounts available.
For more information and to book tickets, visit www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com.