THE Malvern Spring Festival is returning next year, after the 2020 event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Following on from the success of the socially distanced, outdoor Malvern Plant and Garden Fair in September, the Three Counties announced the return of RHS Malvern Spring Festival, which will welcome back passionate gardeners from May 5-9 2021.

The festival will be running for an additional fifth day next year, with reduced visitor numbers and morning or afternoon ticket options.

Head of shows Diana Walton said: “We were absolutely thrilled to be announcing the return of RHS Malvern Spring Festival in May 2021, after the disappointment we all felt for our visitors after the Covid cancellation last year.

"The highly successful Malvern Plant and Garden Fair we held in September 2020, enabled us explore how best to create a spacious and exciting event that allows for social distancing and compliance with all current safety measures, while still offering a fabulously exciting gardening event.

"We are really looking forward to welcoming our visitors and exhibitors back in May."

The traditional Floral Marquee will be reimagined with the open-air specialist nurseries arena, where visitors will have space and time to select from a wide range of the finest plants, from over 70 RHS-award-winning nurseries and national collection holders.

The popular Shipping Container Gardens will be returning in 2021 to provide a range of fresh and innovative design ideas.

Visitors in need of refreshment will be able to sit and enjoy the views of the Malvern Hills in the spacious alfresco dining area, and choose from some of the best local food producers and street food providers.

As always at RHS Malvern, there will be gardening advice aplenty, delivered by a host of celebrity gardening guests who will be presenting a selection of talks and demonstrations each day, from the spacious open sided Festival Theatre.