Plumpton College student designs stunning show garden at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair

Plumpton College is one of four colleges taking on the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair College Gardens competition this year. The challenge is to create a budget-friendly showcase garden, based on the theme of ‘Nature’s Art within the Garden’. The college teams are mentored by award-winning garden designer, Cherry Carmen, whose accolades include a Gold Award at BBC Gardeners’ World Live.

The Plumpton College entry is a garden called Art in the Dark. It paints a picture of fictional character, Cyril, an elderly RAF veteran who despite losing his sight in the war, has found comfort and connection in a multi-sensory garden created with his late wife, Peggy. With its rustling leaves and plants, scented flowers, rich soil and bricks underfoot, the garden comes to life, each step and touch evoking treasured memories and a shared love of finding art within nature.

Lucy Tremlett, Event Director at Immediate Live, organisers of the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, said: “We’re always blown away by the creativity, brilliant design, hard work and effort that goes into creating the College Gardens. We can’t wait to see the Plumpton College students bring their Art in the Dark design to life at Beaulieu. Spring Fair visitors can look forward to a really exciting collection of gardens this year, packed with inspiring ideas to try at home.”

The BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair celebrates the start of the gardening and growing season with its longer, warmer days, new shoots, buds and blooms. It’s a great day out for gardeners and non-gardeners alike, and tickets include access to all of Beaulieu’s attractions, like the National Motor Museum and Palace House. Spring Fair highlights include the headline sponsor’s Hillier Experience with its large, woodland-themed feature garden, advice pods and shop, glorious Showcase Gardens and Beautiful Borders, and the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine stage featuring special guests, Adam Frost (Fri), Arit Anderson (Sat) and – new for 2025 - Carol Klein (Sat and Sun), with the Magazine editors. Stage sponsor, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, return with their popular Plants of the World sessions, hosted by gardening and horticulture expert, David Hurrion.

The BBC Gardeners’ World team will be introducing the ‘Make a Metre Matter’ campaign, designed to encourage as many people as possible to transform one metre of outdoor space for the good of the planet. From tiny ponds and salad patches to compost heaps and pollinator-friendly mini-beds, the collective effect of these nature-friendly metres will be significant. Spring Fair visitors are encouraged to register their campaign metres at GardenersWorld.com for a chance to win £500 or £1,000 of Crocus vouchers. More than 3,700 metres have already been registered. Award-winning garden designer, Pip Probert (BBC 2 Your Garden Made Perfect), is creating a collection of Make a Metre Matter designs to inspire Spring Fair visitors to get involved and create their own.

New for 2025 is the Spring Table, a stylish new space for seasonal food, drink and outdoor décor inspiration. Host Chris Bavin, the BBC food presenter, welcomes guest chefs and mixologists from the Lime Wood and Pig hotels for no-cook recipe demos and cocktail masterclasses. Mushroom experts, Caley Brothers, will be preparing fabulous fungi while floral designer, Jordan Weston, introduces the art of Ikebana flower arranging.

Throughout the Spring Fair, there are hands-on floristry, tablescaping, mushroom-growing and willow weaving workshops to choose from, talks, tours and workshops by plant and food experts, ‘In Conversation With’ Stage chats with gardening personalities, garden shopping, and ideas and plants-aplenty to take home. Visitors can browse and buy seasonal food at the Good Food Market, and there are children’s activities, animals, live music and vintage vehicles. There’s an exclusive Club Lounge for BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine subscribers and Hillier Gardening Club members, and a VIP Lounge for VIP Extra ticket holders.

Tickets for the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair 2025 are on sale now at www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com. Prices are from £17.00 and include access to Beaulieu’s extensive grounds, gardens and attractions, like the National Motor Museum and Palace House. Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome in the outdoor areas.

www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com