Discover new skills at Toby’s Garden Festival
Toby’s Garden Festival is back again for another unmissable two-day celebration of gardening and the great outdoors, set against the stunning backdrop of Powderham Castle, near Exeter. Hosted by BBC Two Gardeners' World presenter Toby Buckland, the festival takes place on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd May 2025 (10am-5pm) and will be encouraging everyone to learn a new skill. Visitors can expect a full programme of free gardening and food and drink talks, hands-on workshops, demonstrations, tastings, live music and much more.
Inspirational experts headlining the festival and joining Toby include, BBC Two Gardeners’ World presenters Frances Tophill and Joe Swift, as well as BBC 1 Spotlight presenter Victoria Graham, The Telegraph’s drinks’ writer Susy Atkins and award-winning food writer and gardener, Mark Diacono.
During her talk, Frances will share insights from her latest book, How to Grow a Garden, offering planting tips and tricks, Joe will be delivering his expert guide, Garden Design 101, teaching visitors how to create their own Chelsea Flower Show-worthy masterpieces and Toby will enlighten visitors with his rule-breaking tips for a beautiful garden. Attendees can also enjoy An Audience with BBC's Victoria Graham and hear Mark Diacono discuss his latest book, Abundance: Recipes and Stories from a Gardening Cook.
More than just a garden festival, Toby’s Garden Festival has over 180 exhibitors, including award-winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show plant nurseries and British-grown trees, roses, border and wild flowers, aquatics, shrubs and houseplants, plus sculptures and garden furniture and an ‘Artisan Barn’ showcasing local artists, crafts, ceramics, textiles, glassware and jewellery. Heritage craft demonstrations, including stave baskets and brush making and free flower crown making workshops with the help of the British Academy of Flower Arts, also run over the two days.
Encouraging visitors to discover new talents, hands-on taster experiences available in the ‘Garden Workshop Marquee’ include composting masterclasses with RhizoPhyllia, wildflower and seed-sowing workshops by Meadow in My Garden, art workshops with award-winning artist Harriet de Winton, flower arranging classes with Amelia’s Flower Farm and terrarium-making workshops led by Hutch Houseplants. Visitors can also pre-book in for botanical painting and willow weaving.
Commenting on the festival, Toby, says: “As we approach our eleventh festival at Powderham Castle, the value of our gardens, whether it be for wellbeing, local produce, wildlife or learning, has never been more significant. That's why, in a first for any garden show, we're going 'back to school' with the introduction of a hands-on 'learning zone' where festival-goers can take their gardening and creativity to another level. With limited spaces, we know they'll be popular, so book early!”
Toby, continues: “As always, we’ll have music, street theatre, fabulous artists and makers, plus a fantastic selection of plant sellers from the Westcounty and beyond. As well as an ever growing family of exhibitors we have the most inspirational range of talks on demos ranging from rose care, wildlife gardening, garden design, wine tasting and even making your own bacon. The only problem visitors will have is getting to try them all!”
Celebrating the best of the South West, visitors can also browse Food Drink Devon’s market in the Castle’s beautiful courtyard featuring over 20 local producers. Feast Street returns, offering the perfect selection of street food and pop-up bars where visitors can relax by the Castle lake and enjoy live music from talented Devon musicians. Wine enthusiasts can also once again enjoy free wine talks and tastings, courtesy of festival sponsor Wickhams, with expert guidance from Susy Atkins and Mark Diacono in the Castle’s elegant dining hall.
Other attractions throughout the festival include street theatre, live music from local artists and vintage vehicles.
For a special experience, Toby’s Garden Festival offers a VIP Experience (£100 per person), sponsored by Hawksmoor Investment Management, which not only grants visitors entry into the festival but also, all-day access to 14th century Powderham Castle’s breathtaking library and music room with morning tea, coffee and biscuits, canapés and a light buffet lunch, afternoon tea, a glass of fizz and a VIP gift bag.
Early bird tickets are on sale now and cost £15.00 per person, under 16s free (except Tea and Cake in the Castle and VIP tickets), Tea and Cake in the Castle tickets cost £35.00 per person. All tickets are available from www.tobygardenfest.co.uk.
Toby’s Garden Festivals is kindly sponsored by Hawksmoor Investment Management and Wickhams, with media partner, Country Gardener.
To find the full programme of events and further what’s on details, visit the official Toby’s Garden Festival website at tobygardenfest.co.uk. To stay up-to-date follow @tobygardenfest on Instagram, Facebook and X.
