MALVERN'S history as a spa town is the inspiration for this year's Royal Horticultural Society's Spring Garden Show in May.

The landmark four-day spectacle at the Three Counties Showground features a range of new attractions and exhibits and a vibrant line-up of some of the biggest names in gardening, food and lifestyle.

The festival takes inspiration from Malvern’s Victorian heyday as a fashionable health resort – a place where day-trippers took advantage of the clean air and health giving waters amongst the romantic beauty of the hills and a town of pleasure gardens, assembly rooms and numerous eating-places.

Among the new attractions for 2017 is the UK’s longest floral marquee at over 195 metres, featuring more than 65 leading UK and international nurseries.

The centrepiece of the marquee will be BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Joe Swift and his Plant Hunter Parlour, an immersive experience with daily talks from award-winning nurseries.

Another new feature this year is the Live Well zone, with a garden designed and built by 'queen of herbs' Jekka McVicar, where visitors can join her for daily herbal conversations and explore the world of alternative therapies.

A brand-new category this year is Spa Gardens, which will feature gardens from up-and-coming designers reflecting the thirst for knowledge, new horizons and innovative technology at the heart of Malvern’s Victorian heritage. Gold medal-winning Chelsea garden designer Jo Thompson is mentoring the new talent as they embark on this new challenge.

The show, on Thursday, May 11, until Sunday, May 14, also features a colourful array of pleasure gardens, a bandstand of live music, an impressive collection of classic cars, an array of global flavours from the international street food market, and plenty of places to picnic.

Festival head Jane Furze said: “We are so excited to share the glorious plans that are afoot for RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2017. It really is going to be a sensational year for our leading event with plenty for everyone.

"Whether you’re a newcomer to gardening, a veteran horticulturalist or simply looking for a family day out, RHS Malvern Spring Festival has it all. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our stunning showcase of spring.”