Southport Flower Show

The RHS Flower Show rolls into Southport each August, and it's one of those events that genuinely stops the town in its tracks. Picture eight acres of meticulously planted gardens, trade stands groaning under the weight of plants you didn't know you needed, and enough flower arrangements to make a florist weep. It happens over three days, and honestly, you could spend a full afternoon here without running out of things to look at.

This is peak territory for gardeners who actually know their dahlias from their delphiniums, but don't write it off if you're just vaguely interested in nice flowers. The show gardens - these are the real draws - are designed by proper landscape architects and they're genuinely impressive. You'll see everything from Japanese-style spaces to contemporary designs that look nothing like your nan's flower beds. Families with younger kids might find it a touch slow after an hour or so, unless they're the sort who'll happily spend time at the plant stalls poking about for unusual specimens.

Admission costs a few quid, and you'll want to arrive early because it gets rammed by mid-afternoon. Wear decent shoes - there's a fair bit of walking, and the grass can turn boggy if it's been rainy. Southport Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite sits just a few minutes away, making it dead convenient if you're basing yourself in the area. Early August is obviously the time to catch it, though the exact dates shift year to year, so check ahead before you go.