Forde Abbey

New for Autumn 2017! Toby’s Garden & Harvest Festival at Forde Abbey 16th & 17th September

We are delighted to announce our new Garden & Harvest Fest in the beautiful grounds of Forde Abbey in Somerset. It’s set to be a weekend of autumnal gardening delights with gorgeous plants to buy from local nurseries, delicious food and entertainment for all the family. As well as celebrating the fruits of the season, you can join us for a free programme of garden demos in Forde Abbey’s stunning Kitchen Garden and talks from Toby and TV gardeners Christine Walkden and Charlie Dimmock.

Powderham Castle

Toby’s GardenFest is back at Powderham Friday 28th and Saturday 29th April 2017

Toby’s popular Garden Festival is back for a fourth year in the beautiful setting of Powderham Castle near Exeter. This spring we’re thrilled to welcome as our experts Chelsea garden designer Adam Frost of BBC Gardeners’ World and pest guru Pippa Greenwood who will be giving talks and answering your garden questions. Packed with beautiful plants from more than 100 local nurseries, delicious West Country fayre, local musicians and entertainment for the whole family, it’s a great gardening day out.

Would you like to exhibit at Toby’s GardenFest Powderham in 2018?

We are taking the details of interested traders for next year’s show – if you’d like to be contacted when details are released, please complete this form.

Forde Abbey Preview Video

Powderham Castle Video

News and information

A Bumper Harvest for Toby’s First Garden Fest at Forde Abbey! September 18, 2017

Toby and Charlie Dimmock open the Harvest Festival at Forde Abbey The crowds and the sun came out last weekend for TV gardener Toby Buckland’s first Garden & Harvest Festival at Forde Abbey, near Chard in Somerset. The ancient abbey played host to more than 4000 visitors who came to enjoy over 150 plant nurseries … Read more

A Feast of Flowers at the Fest September 12, 2017

More than 75 nurseries and garden-related exhibitors are heading to Toby’s Garden & Harvest Festival and the stunning grounds of Forde Abbey this weekend, for two days of top-notch plant and garden shopping. Award-winning nurseries including Pheasant Acre, Heucheraholics, Tynings Climbers, Kelnan Plants and Floyds Climbers can all be found selling seasonal plants on the Lower Lawn and … Read more

What’s on when? September 8, 2017

There are tons of talks, demos and tours happening at the festival next weekend, Saturday and Sunday, 16th and 17th September at Forde Abbey. See below for details. Not got your tickets yet? Advanced tickets are still available for just £10 here

An Apple a Day… August 30, 2017

There’s a bumper apple crop of apples at our Harvest Fest at Forde Abbey this September, featuring in apple-pressing, cider-making and apple idents, apple juice and apple-based delicacies. The Pomona Press (pictured) is here both days, making juice you can buy and can take home. You can even bring your own apples in and get them … Read more

Topiary Trimming Demos with Jake Hobson August 19, 2017

Jake Hobson, founder of Niwaki, Dorset importer of tripod ladders and fine pruning tools from Japan, is joining us at Forde Abbey to demonstrate topiary trimming. Jake, who trained as a sculptor at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, now creates living sculpture from plants and favours a style of more natural style of … Read more

Fermented Vegetables – A Great Way to Preserve Veg and Kill a Sweet Tooth? August 14, 2017

The latest trend for fermenting vegetables may be more than just a good way to keep them fresh and full of nutrients. According to Somerset-based tutor and fermenting advisor to Radio 4’s The Archers, Katie Venner of Tracebridge Sourdough in Wellington, it may also be the best way to cut down on sugar. “Anecdotal evidence from friends and … Read more