has anyone been to gardener's world live

happilass

Hi,
I have just bought 2 tickets for Gardener's World Live at the NEC in June and I wondered if anyone has been previously. I am wondering if there are any freebies/deals etc. I am hoping that there will be some bargins when we get there.I "bought" the tickets with Tesco deals.
Thanks,
Happi:beer:

nodwah

Seems not!!

Let us know what it was like though!

jamanda

I've been about 5 years ago. Absolutely brilliant day if you are into gardening - flowers and plants rather than veggies.

It is tiring but worth it, and you will come home with lots of plants you don't know where to put.

Have a lovely day.

gingernutbizkit

hi,

I have been goign for the last four years and love the day out. The plant market usually has a good amount of deals, although you have to buy early to get the best offers (you can then leave them in the plant creche).

The feature gardens have always given us a lot of food for thought. Over the last couple of years we have seen more and more there aimed at allotmenteers/kitchen gardeners.

My advice moneywise though would be to only take one car (usually £7 to park!!!) and take food with you - most options quite expensive and with long queues.

Have a pleasant day - might see you there!!!

Ging x

Lelc

We went a couple of years ago and my parents go every year as it's not far from them. The year we went it was combined with the Good Food show and Good Homes show. We had a fantastic, if exhausting, day and we didn't have to buy food instead just touring the Good Food show for freebies. We finished off the day sitting outside drinking pimms.

The Gardeners World show was excellent and we got loads of ideas and a few seeds and other goodies (we couldn't buy too much because we travelled by train).

You'll really enjoy it - in fact I'm just wondering if I can get the time off to go again this year!

Linda32

Its good, wear your most comfortable shoes get there before it opens (09.00) if your not traveling far, although you do need a good part of the day to see it all. Then go straight outside to look at the show gardens, that way you get to see them all without the crowds.

Don't worry about missing any bargins, if there are any available then they are there all day everyday, they don't run out.

You usually get a "goodie bag", which will have a few samples in and money off vouchers, some abit obscure (sp?)

These oftern a few magazine stalls doing free gifts when you subscribe etc.

I'd recommed the programme, its £3.50 this year and worth the money, its got a map in for a start.
Parking is £8.00 this year, ruddy rip off but there you go :eek: Food is expensive as it has been said, if its practical a pack up is better but of course you have to carry it

jemw

we went last year, it was fantastic!

make sure you wear comfortable shoes, as it's a long day. also, bring sun screen too as last year it was baking hot!

try and bring some sort of carry trolly thingy, if you plan to buy lots, as the ones they were selling were quite expensive.

shop around the stalls and don't buy something on the very first one. we made this mistake a couple of times, and then found identical items cheaper further down the stalls.

the flower market was amazing. get in there early to make sure you get the ones you want tho. i found the most amazing clematis but they didn't have the variety i wanted left :-(

food and drink was quite pricey, so might be worthwhile taking a couple of sarnies and bottles of water?

we can't wait to go back this year :-)

jasmine33

Great day out. Pack a picnic in a foldy up plastic crate with wheels and trundle it round with you. After lunch, fill it with your purchases. Take a camera, comfy shoes and plenty of water cos if it's a hot day, it's thirsty work. Food and drinks are very expensive there.

I have been twice before but not going this year as a) Titch isn't there and b) I live a long way off.

Hopefully get back next year. Enjoy your day. You are in for a TREAT x

gingernutbizkit

Also take a lot of patience...... some people should have to take a test before being allowed control of a wheely crate!!!!!

sianster

I've been the last 2 years and there are some great deals at the end of the last day as they sell off all the displays from the flower tent and dig up the display gardens - some can be bought / reserved in advance, others start dismantling at about 4pm. Last year we also got a carrrier bag of seed packets for £10 from Thompson & Morgan (196 packets if I remember correctly!). Gave half away to a local school, the rest should keep me going for the next few years!

Food samples from the Good Food show are pretty good too - favourites were the sausages, pizza, icecream & Gin & Tonic!

elliep_2

Anyone know what the wheelchair access is like? I'm fine for short bursts of walking and even digging but this sounds like it would be a long day. The website sounds quite positive but it's always best to ask someone who has actually been there and aware of the issues...