TOBY BUCKLAND
Toby Buckland hosts the festival annually and is a qualified horticulturist, author and a regular broadcaster for BBC One and Two’s presenting team from RHS Chelsea Flowershow. In 2014 Toby joined forces with Country Gardener Magazine to create Toby’s Garden Festival to champion the smaller, specialist nurseries. The first Garden Festival took place at Powderham Castle near Exeter to popular acclaim and is now a premier gardening event in the South West.
Now you can join him and get in touch every Sunday from 10am to 2pm on BBC Radio Devon (and BBC Sounds) for his popular gardening show. Toby’s giving talks both days, and will be out and about saying hello to visitors.
Toby is speaking at the festival on 1nd and 2rd May 2026.
ARIT ANDERSON
We are thrilled that Arit Anderson, the award-winning garden designer, writer, TV presenter, podcast host and RHS ambassador will be joining us at Toby’s Garden Fest next May. She is the first celebrity gardener to sign up to be part of the two-day gardening bonanza on May 1st and 2nd – and Arit will be making a popular return visit to the festival where she was such a popular hit with visitors a few years ago.
Arit is a regular presenter on BBC Television’s Gardener’s World where her skilled designers eye has made her hugely popular with viewers. Arit spent 25 years working in retail fashion before switching her attention to horticulture where she has been keen to pass on her love of plants, people and place. Be sure to catch up with her at Powderham Castle in the spring.
Arit is speaking at the festival on 1nd and 2rd May 2026.
TOBY BUCKLAND
Chelsea Gold Medal winning garden designer Chris shares his design secrets behind the scenes stories from BBC One’s Garden Rescue. Chris has four series under his belt and has created spectacular garden designs across the UK plus appearances on Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh.
In 2024, Chris achieved critical acclaim, winning Gold at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Chris is speaking at the festival on 1nd and 2rd May 2026.