A Programme of Complimentary Fringe Events
Included in your Festival Day Ticket
Throughout the weekend, Festival-goers can immerse themselves in a captivating programme of complimentary fringe events.
From inspiring talks featuring designer Cath Kidston and Festival partner Wiston Estate, to engaging demonstrations led by florists Bloom and Burn and Catherine Foxwell, to insightful tours of the Garden and expert gardening advice from the RHS, there’s an enticing array of experiences to explore and enjoy.
Soak in the laid-back summer vibe of live jazz music on the South Lawn, while enjoying a refreshing glass of botanical drink Botivo. Families can head to our Kids Corner, where there will be interactive activities and events for children conveniently located on the Azalea Ring, next to the Garden’s Adventure Playground.
Saturday’s Fringe Events
Saturday 22nd June
10.30 – 11.30am
Demonstration in the Garden Marquee
A Bowl of Blooms
Graeme Corbett, Bloom and Burn
Using locally grown flowers and sustainable mechanics, Graeme Corbett, owner of Bloom and Burn floral studio and cutting garden in Kent, will demonstrate how to create a bowl of blooms, perfect for a centrepiece at home.
An arrangement like this is a great way to get creative with your flower arrangements and can be made with whatever you can find in the garden.
Saturday 22nd June
11.00am – 12.00pm & 2.00 – 3.00pm
Tours of Borde Hill
Guided Garden Tours
Harry Baldwin, Head of Horticulture
Join a fascinating tour of Borde Hill’s 17-acre formal garden. Explore our rich history as you weave between outdoor ‘garden rooms’, each boasting a distinctive character and planting scheme that provides variety, colour and interest throughout the seasons.
Discover what it takes to maintain our oasis of tranquillity, along with our ambitious plans to protect Borde Hill’s rare and significant plant collection for generations to come.
Saturday 22nd June
12.00 – 13.00pm
Talk & Tasting in the Garden Marquee
The Story Behind Wiston Sparkling Wine
Kirsty Goring, Brand Director
Taste the result of Wiston Estate’s journey from a conventional farming estate, via a South African marriage, to producing award-winning sparkling wine being served on British Airways.
Kirsty will host a tasting while telling the story of the family, the place and the passion that has led to Wiston creating a winery that exports around the world, runs regular tours and tastings, has a shop and Chalk Restaurant.
Saturday 22nd June
12.30 – 13.30pm
Practical Growing Advice in the Rose Garden
Choosing the Best Roses & the Best Scented Roses
Michael Marriott, RHS Committee Member and former Rosarian at David Austin Roses
Gain rose-growing advice from the expert! With a few basic rules roses are extremely easy to grow giving flowers and very often fragrance and hips for months on end. They are definitely the most garden-worthy of all plants and can be incorporated in just about every style of garden, from the formal to the wild, or more intimate to large scale.
Saturday 22nd June
1.30 – 2.30pm
Demonstration in the Garden Marquee
Hand Tied Bouquets
Graeme Corbett, Bloom and Burn
Using locally grown flowers, Graeme Corbett, owner of Bloom and Burn floral studio and cutting garden in Kent, will demonstrate how to make a hand-tied bouquet. It’s a tricky technique, but once you’ve mastered it, you can make professional looking bouquets using home-grown flowers.
This is a great skill to learn if you want to use your flowers for gifting or to elevate shop bought blooms.
Saturday 22nd June
2.00 – 2.45pm
Discussion Panel in the Animal Room, Borde Hill House
A Passion for Plants
Hosted by Stephanie Mahon, Editor, Gardens Illustrated, in conversation with Jo Thompson, Jinny Blom, Alice and Maddie Bailey (Forest London)
Stephanie Mahon, editor of Gardens Illustrated, talks to – Jo Thompson, Jinny Blom, Alice and Maddie Bailey (Forest London) – who have all made their names through plants.
Join us to discover, among other things, the plants and gardens that inspire them, what drives them, and the plants they wouldn’t be without.
Saturday 22nd June
3.00 – 4.00pm
Talk in the Garden Marquee
A Passion for Pelargoniums
Cath Kidston & Water Lane
Join designer Cath Kidston Padgham MBE, founder of C.Atherley in conversation with Ian James, custodian of Water Lane Walled Garden, to discuss their love of all things pelargonium.
Hear how Cath’s passion for pelargoniums, fragrance and gardens, led to C.Atherley, her new bath and beauty brand.
Sunday’s Fringe Events
Sunday 23rd June
10.30 – 11.30am & 1.30 – 2.30pm
Demonstrations in the Garden Marquee
Flower Arranging
Catherine Foxwell, Floral Evolution
Catherine has been a florist since 2015 and has a passion for using colour and structure in her work. Her book Floral Evolution published in 2022 focuses on repurposing flowers to get the most out of every stem, believing that anyone can use simple, sometimes less fashionable flowers to make something beautiful.
In this hand-tied bouquet workshop, she will share the basic techniques to help you create a beautiful bouquet or bowl arrangement at home.
Sunday 23rd June
11.00am – 12.00pm & 2.00 – 3.00pm
Tours of Borde Hill
Guided Garden Tours
Borde Hill’s Garden Team
Join a fascinating tour of Borde Hill’s 17-acre formal garden. Explore our rich history as you weave between outdoor ‘garden rooms’, each boasting a distinctive character and planting scheme that provides variety, colour and interest throughout the seasons.
Discover what it takes to maintain our oasis of tranquillity, along with our ambitious plans to protect Borde Hill’s rare and significant plant collection for generations to come.
Sunday 23rd June
12.00 – 1.00pm
Demonstration in the Garden Marquee
Botivo – Cocktail Masterclass
Sam Paget Steavenson and Imme Ermgassen, Co-Founders
Join the co-founders of Botivo, a small batch, aperitif inspired drink with bittersweet, herbal and citrus notes. Delve into the process behind their meticulously crafted non-alcoholic drink, followed by an engaging demonstration on concocting delightful Botivo cocktails in the comfort of your own home.
Sunday 23rd June
12.30 – 13.30pm
Practical Growing Advice in the Rose Garden
Choosing the Best Roses & the Best Scented Roses
Michael Marriott, RHS Committee Member and former Rosarian at David Austin Roses
Gain rose-growing advice from the expert! With a few basic rules roses are extremely easy to grow giving flowers and very often fragrance and hips for months on end. They are definitely the most garden-worthy of all plants and can be incorporated in just about every style of garden, from the formal to the wild, or more intimate to large scale.
Sunday 23rd June
3.00 – 4.00pm
Demonstration in the Garden Marquee
Preserve Nature
WAX Atelier
Hand-dip a leaf or flower in coloured beeswax to craft a unique memento from Borde Hill Garden Festival.
WAX Atelier, led by Lola and Yesenia, revives ancient crafts like candle dipping & textiles with natural wax. Their London studio champions sustainability through local sourcing and eco-friendly practices, creating beautiful homewares.
Sunday 23rd June
4.00 – 4.45pm
Talk & Discussion Panel in the Animal Room, Borde Hill House
Growing from the Past, Planting for the Future
Manoj Malde, Garden Designer, Presenter and RHS Judge, with Harry Baldwin, Borde Hill’s Head of Horticulture
Join Manoj and Head of Horticulture, Harry, as they explore the remarkable legacy of Colonel Stephenson Robert Clarke, the visionary plantsman behind the Garden’s extraordinary plant collection, before gaining insights into Borde Hill’s pioneering propagation programme. Both will lead a discussion panel where you can put your gardening questions to the experts!
Kids Corner
Throughout the Festival, Borde Hill’s Azalea Ring will inspire children of all ages with outdoor play and nature focused workshops, sowing the seeds for the next generation of plant lovers.
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June
10am – 4pm
Azalea Ring
Sow & Grow
Bring your family to our nature-inspired drop-in sessions. Sow herb and salad seeds in a biodegradable pot, take them home and watch them grow before planting out in a larger pot or in your garden. Use what you grow to add delicious flavours to the meals you cook at home!
Recommended age: 3+
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June
11am – 3pm
Azalea Ring
Circus Skills
Step right up! Families at Borde Hill Garden Festival can join our drop-in sessions to unleash their inner circus talents! Meet our ringmaster and dive into the world of diabolos, juggling, poi spinning, hooping, plate spinning, clown bike riding, pedal racer balancing, and even tightrope walking!
Recommended age: 3+
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June
10am – 5pm
Azalea Ring
Adventure Playground
Throughout the Festival, young explorers can let off steam in our natural wood Adventure Playground. Children can navigate their way through a series of exciting equipment including swings, stepping logs, climbing frames, a slide, and a zip wire for the most adventurous.
Festival Programme
Festival Talks
Join our programme of Festival Talks by some of today’s most exciting garden designers, experts, and creatives, including:
Jinny Blom, Jo Thompson, Errol Fernandes and Forest London
Gardening & Lifestyle Stalls
Browse a global blend of over 40 artisans, growers and unique brands in a series of beautiful stalls and tents, including:
Beth Chatto’s Plants & Garden, Eleplants Nursery, Niwaki, Gabriel Ash
Food & Drink
Discover a fusion of flavours from Sussex’s best pop-ups, including wood-fired pizzas, Italian, Egyptian and Greek street food.
Enjoy Wiston Estate Sparkling Wine and Botanical Cocktails in the Garden
