2026 marks the first time the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has staged a show at a royal residence, and Sandringham is where it happened. RHS shows are widely respected, so I jumped at the chance to see one close to home.
I was invited to visit the RHS Sandringham Flower Show on its opening day (22 to 26 July), which happened to be the same day King Charles and Queen Camilla came to see it. Here’s a full rundown of what to expect on the day, along with practical tips for your own trip.
Note: I received a press ticket to attend the 2026 RHS Sandringham Flower Show so that I could share my experience with my readers.
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RHS Sandringham Show: A Brief Background
The Sandringham Flower Show has run since 1881, organised throughout by the Sandringham Estate Cottage Horticultural Society (SECHS) Trust, a group of volunteers. This year, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is running the show. This is the same charity behind the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show.
Going forward, the plan is for the RHS to run its five-day show once every three years, with the SECHS Trust’s traditional one-day show returning in the two years in between. The next SECHS show has a provisional date of Wednesday 21 July 2027.
This post covers the RHS event, as I haven’t been able to attend the SECHS show yet. I plan to update this post once I have, so do check back for a fuller picture in future.
What’s On at the Show
The gardens are the headline, but they’re only part of the day. Alongside the horticulture there’s live music, a good range of food, and even some lifestyle shopping.
Seeing the King and Queen wasn’t a one-off for this RHS edition either. They’ve attended the Sandringham Flower Show almost every year since 2005. This year’s visit did include something new though. They toured the RHS Royal Legacy Garden, which King Charles helped design himself alongside landscape designer Catherine MacDonald.
In addition to the RHS Royal Legacy Garden, there are other show gardens on display. You can vote for your favourite to win the RHS People’s Choice award, but I found it impossible to pick just one. They were all so colourful, with lovely architectural features and artwork as well.
There are plenty of places to buy plants and accessories for your garden around the grounds, but the Flower Marquee impressed me as much for its range as its size, with everything from traditional blooms to succulents on display. It was nice that they also had an ask the experts section, although I was surprised more people didn’t take advantage of it.
A short walk away, the Fruit and Vegetable Competition had some genuinely enormous vegetables, more tomato varieties than I could count, and a few fruits I hadn’t tried before. The Main Stage had some genuinely interesting talks running throughout the day too. Check the timetable for names and times before you go.
One of my favourite parts of the day was the children’s upcycled container gardens, entered as part of the show’s Queen’s Favourite Upcycled Container award. The creativity on display was brilliant, from a bathroom-themed garden with flowers growing out of an old toilet, to a bee-themed design, and another built entirely from repurposed science lab equipment.
There was live music throughout the day too, including sets from Nelson’s Shantymen and Sam and the Swingtones, both of which I enjoyed. I’d also recommend seeking out the tree listening installation, which amplifies the sounds happening underneath the tree’s bark and plays them back through headphones. It genuinely sounded like a storm brewing.
The show had plenty of food options too, with several food courts and all kinds of vendors, from pizza to duck wraps. For my lunch, I had a chicken tikka wrap. There was also the Great Taste Market, where a range of food and drink vendors had stalls, some offering tastings.
For younger visitors, there’s a dedicated play area with free arts and crafts, face painting, and a Pollywiggle Trail to collect stamps as they explore.
Getting There and Parking
Getting to the show and finding somewhere to park both felt well managed on my visit.
If you’d rather not drive, King’s Lynn station is the nearest, about six miles from the showground, with hourly trains from London King’s Cross (under two hours) and from Peterborough. From Norwich, you’ll need to change at Ely, with the full journey taking around 1 hour 45 minutes. A free shuttle bus runs from King’s Lynn station to the show every day it’s open, from Wednesday 22 to Sunday 26 July. The show can also be reached by bus, bike, or on foot, depending on where you’re travelling from.
Signs point the way from the road as you approach the estate, and staff direct traffic at the main junctions nearby. Parking is free but must be booked in advance. Once you’re parked, the car parks are well organised into numbered rows. Make a note of yours before you head off to explore, so you’re not wasting time hunting for your car at the end of the day. Parking attendants clearly know what they’re doing, though getting in and out did take a little time given how many people were there. Still, it moved better than I expected.
Once you’re on site, you’ll find large information boards showing maps of the showground, and finger-post style signs point towards the different attractions. Staff are also stationed at a few spots if you need directions. A programme with its own fold-out map is available to buy for £10.
Accessibility and Family Facilities
Overall, I found the show well set up for accessibility and families alike.
The temporary trackways laid across the parkland worked well, and I saw a number of wheelchair users and people with pushchairs getting around without any trouble.
There’s also a marked quiet space available throughout the day, though you can still hear the bandstand faintly from there, so it’s calmer rather than silent.
I didn’t see many children on my visit, but there’s still a dedicated play area, plus free arts and crafts, face painting, and the Pollywiggle Trail for younger visitors.
Dogs are welcome too. One well-behaved dog is allowed per ticket booking, and dogs must stay on a lead at all times. They’re not permitted in indoor food areas, except for assistance dogs, and shouldn’t be left unattended in parked cars. I saw plenty of dogs out with their owners, all seeming perfectly at home.
Toilets were a pleasant surprise, proper portable buildings rather than portaloos. There were no queues early in the day, and only short ones building up by the afternoon.
More to Do Near Sandringham
If you have time to explore more of the area, there’s plenty nearby to add to your day.
King’s Lynn is a short drive away, full of history with cobbled streets, historic buildings, and a lovely quayside. See my things to do in King’s Lynn guide for ideas.
Hunstanton is a great choice if you fancy some seaside fun, with fish and chips, amusements, and wide sandy beaches. My things to do in Hunstanton guide has more.
Castle Rising Castle is just a 15-minute drive away, one of the largest and best-preserved Norman keeps in England, built in 1138 and surrounded by 20 acres of earthworks. It’s an English Heritage site, so members can visit for free.
Houghton Hall and Gardens is around 20 minutes away, a Palladian mansion built in the 1720s for Sir Robert Walpole, Britain’s first Prime Minister. The grounds include a walled garden, a sculpture park, and a herd of white fallow deer, alongside seasonal art exhibitions.
Sandringham House and Gardens are closed to visitors from the show until 29 July, though the Visitor Centre, Sandringham Shop, Sandringham Restaurant, and Terrace Takeaway all stay open. The church just outside the North Gate is also open, and makes a nice stop while you’re there.
RELATED: Guide to Sandringham Estate: Where Royalty Meets Norfolk Charm
Where to Stay Nearby
If you do have extra time, Sandringham sits close to some lovely spots in West Norfolk, so a night or two nearby is a good option rather than just a single day trip.
King’s Lynn is the obvious choice, since it has a shuttle service running to the show. You’ll find a wide range of accommodation in the town, from boutique hotels to self-catering cottages.
For countryside charm, The Dabbling Duck in Great Massingham is one of my favourite pubs in Norfolk, with a handful of cosy rooms (some dog-friendly) and a Sunday roast that’s hard to beat. Read reviews and book here.
For something a little grander, the Kings Head Hotel in Great Bircham has an Edwardian feel, with large en-suite rooms and a proper country hotel atmosphere. Read reviews and book here.
The Ffolkes in Hillington is another option, a former coaching inn turned colourful and welcoming, with street food options and spa cabins on site. Read reviews and book here.
What to Bring
A little planning ahead can make a real difference to your day, and these are the essentials I’d pack next time.
Comfortable shoes are a must. Expect a lot of walking and a fair amount of standing about across parkland.
Pack both sun cream and layers. It was chilly first thing in the morning, then warm enough by midday to shed a jacket entirely, and while there are some shaded spots, some gardens and other areas are in full sun.
Bring a card rather than relying on cash. Ticket and programme purchases are card only, with no cash machines on site, and while some food and drink vendors also took cash, a handful were card only too.
I didn’t bring anything to sit on and wished I had. Seating fills up fast, and I noticed quite a few people sitting directly on the grass, so a picnic blanket or a small collapsible stool would go a long way.
If you’re planning on buying plants or anything bulky, bring a small folding trolley along too. There’s also a shop-and-drop service on site if you’d rather not carry your purchases around all day.
Bring a refillable water bottle. There are refill points around the showground, so you don’t need to buy bottled water all day.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
Here’s a few tips to consider to get the most of your day.
Sort out seating before you arrive. I didn’t bring anything to sit on, and by the afternoon I really wished I had, since good spots were hard to find. A picnic blanket or collapsible stool are good options.
You can leave and come back on the same day. Just get your hand stamped on the way out so you can get back in. It’s a good chance to pop out and visit Mary Magdalene Church just outside the North Gate. The Royal Family attends the Christmas Day service there every year.
RELATED: Guide to Seeing The Royal Family at Sandringham on Christmas Day
Allow extra time for queues at car parks, entrances, and toilets as the day goes on, even though everything kept moving steadily on my visit. The longest queues I spotted were for coffee and ice cream, so bear that in mind if you’re after either.
FAQs
Quick answers to the questions you’re most likely to have before visiting.
In 2026, the show runs for five days, from Wednesday 22 to Sunday 26 July. Opening times can vary by day, so it’s best to check the official website before you go.
Adult tickets for this RHS edition run £38–£42, roughly double the £19 the traditional SECHS-run show charged in 2025. Children under 16 go free, and student tickets start from £10. You can also buy tickets on the day at the on-site box office, though parking needs to be booked in advance separately
No, there are none. Ticket and programme purchases are card only, so bring a card rather than relying on cash.
Yes, one well-behaved dog is allowed per ticket booking, kept on a lead at all times. Dogs aren’t permitted in indoor food areas, except for assistance dogs, and shouldn’t be left unattended in cars.
Parking is free but must be booked in advance.
Yes, but it’s weak in places, so don’t rely on it for anything beyond very basic browsing.
A wide range, from a hog roast, pizza, fish and chips, Greek food, crepes, and ice cream through to a proper sit-down splurge at Delphinium or Fortnum & Mason. A wrap or similar lunch runs around £14, with snacks like a pastel de nata closer to £3. You’re welcome to bring your own food too.
Yes. The temporary trackways across the parkland held up well for both on my visit.
There’s a dedicated play area, free arts and crafts, face painting, and the Pollywiggle Trail, though the crowd on my visit skewed more towards adults. Children under 16 go free too, which helps if you’re planning a family day out.
A full day is recommended. There’s genuinely a lot to see, so build in extra time for travel too.
There’s no dress code. I saw everything from smart outfits to shorts and trainers on the day. Comfortable footwear matters more than looking smart, since you’ll be on your feet for most of the day. I wore a flowery dress with trainers.
This is an outdoor event held on parkland, so it’s subject to changing weather and ground conditions. There are areas like the Flower Marquee and Lifestyle Pavilion that offer some shelter, but you should still bring along rain gear if it is in the forecast.
Things noticeably quieten down from around 3:30pm onwards, if you’d rather explore at a gentler pace.
Is It Worth Visiting?
I had a genuinely lovely day. There’s so much packed in, from the gardens and produce to the music and food, and the atmosphere throughout was excellent. It’s easy to see why people travel a fair distance for it too. I met visitors who had come from as far as Northern Ireland, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Leicestershire.
If you love gardening, this is a genuine treasure trove of ideas to bring home, though the appeal stretches well beyond that with the music, food, and shopping on offer. My own highlight was a toss-up between seeing the King and Queen in person and the live music from Nelson’s Shantymen and Sam and the Swingtones.
Would I go again? Without question, and I’m already curious to see how the traditional SECHS-run show compares when it returns on its provisional date of Wednesday 21 July 2027.
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