The RHS's first ever large scale urban show takes place this week at Depot Mayfield in Manchester. Running from Thursday 18 April through to Sunday 21 April, the show is dedicated to lots of small space growing, suitable for urban dwellers. Wondering what to expect and how to get there? Here's everything you need to know.
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Everything you need to know about the RHS's Urban Show in Manchester
What is it?
It's not the first time the RHS has held an urban show, but it is the biggest of its kind. It's also a departure from the usual kind of RHS show - such as Chelsea Flower Show - because it is entirely inside, undercover at Depot Mayfield in Manchester - right next to Manchester Piccadilly station. It opens from 10am to 2.30pm and 2.30pm to 7pm Thursday to Saturday and 10am to 5.30pm on Sunday. Ticket prices start from £17.50 for non-members and £14.85 for members. Buy here.
How to get there
The address is Depot Mayfield, Baring Street, Manchester, M1 2PY. It's a 2 minute walk from Manchester Picadilly and 12 minute walk from Piccadilly Gardens. Here's more on train, tram and bus options.
Talks
The former railway building will host talks from the likes of Mr Plant Geek Michael Perry, Tom Massey and Tinie Tempah (who will be spending time at the Chase 'Forage Your Own Garnish' bar where you can buy a very tasty cocktail), Dario Spagnoli from RHS Science and Tony Le-Britton. Here's the full line up of talks
The gardens
There will be lots of small space gardens to see, including seven gardens co-designed by Manchester students and the Cloud Gardener, aka Jason Williams, which focus on the challenges of urban gardening. There will also be what is being dubbed 'Content Cubes' which are small areas filled with inspiration on tricky urban gardening problems such as shade, rainwater capture and wildlife containers.
A pub garden
The classic city green space the pub garden is being celebrated at the RHS Urban Show, with the chance for a community to actually take one home. Designer Emma Tipping took on the designing of a pub garden inside Depot Mayfield. The Manchester Evening News and the RHS is giving local pubs the opportunity to win the final garden for themselves.
Houseplants
An exhibit focusing on house plants and how to keep them happy is being staged by GrowTropicals and will feature 38 plants, organised according to their favourite spot - with light, shade or humidity. You can download care guides to each of the plants from QR codes.
A forest
Yes - you read that right - designer Nathan Webster has created an urban forest at the show in Manchester, as an immersive experience. The garden is based on his Best in Show Garden at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, where he recreated an ancient woodland.
Punk Rock
The Punk Rockery Garden was designed by Amanda Grimes at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in 2021, and was dubbed an 'anti'-show garden. It reused materials and featured tough, tolerant and beautiful plants. At the Urban Show in Manchester, Amanda has created two beds inspired by pop culture from Manchester's music scene. They are focused around giving new and inexperienced gardeners the confidence to start gardening.
Manchester's new park
There a huge amount to see and experience inside the Urban Show, but don't forget to head to Mayfield, Manchester's new urban park. It's a beautiful public space, which could provide the blueprint for developments in cities elsewhere.
Head to the RHS Urban Show page for more information.
