A beautiful local cosy and tranquil day out to Chorley Flower Show!
I bought a couple of early tickets to a show I had never been to before even though it is literally down the road from me as early bird tickets. A few friends were interested but preferred the weekend while I fancied the Friday so Friday it was decided upon. My daughter Imogen came along and grabbed the second ticket.
After an easy drive down the motorway parking was to say the least a little hit and miss. I found a spot a short distance away by the side of the road but no real parking areas as such except disabled parking. I was prob 20 mins early and had a short time to queue before the event opened and had no trouble proceeding through. My daughter had further to come but chose to get the park and ride. 40 mins of waiting and then arrived but the queue was much bigger. Probably the only less organised part of the event that quite a few people were commenting on.
Delphinium “Light blue with White Bee
My first impressions on arrival while I waited for my daughter to arrive was that there was a tranquil yet positive vibe throughout the venue. A good buzz of people coming through , music and singing and Astley Hall is a superb foil to it all.
The plants that I think stole the show in flower were the delphiniums and dahlias with my personal favourite of the sweet peas. Some great new varieties I hadn’t seen and would definitely look to purchase.
Dahlia Photo Gallery
Delphinium Photo Gallery
Vibes@ the show
There was music being sung by some artists near the food courts. Jazz based but was very soothing. Loved it. I grabbed a chicken burrito for £11 but seemed more like spicy rice and try to find the chicken lol. My daughter Imogen got some greek chicken thing that looked a whole lot better if Im honest.
Lots of plant stalls and some great plantings of various featured plants. The middle area crossing the lake had a walkway going over it going to the main show tent. This was great and people had submitted in various categories lots of veg and flowers and arrangements to be judged.
Loved the main show tent and grabbed lots of pictures and a few plants bought from the stalls around the edges. They also had a 1920’s modelling show of various outfits by women highlighting the styling from that era.
We found a ladies clothes shop and Imogen got a lovely skirt from her and then we found the bargain of the day. Plants for a pound the guy was trying to get rid of. Had I not parked the car so far away I would have bought everything. Imogen went home while I stayed a while taking more photos. Once I was done I headed back to the car carrying a tray load of plants, 3 bags worth of plants and other items. Bit of a balancing act but we got there.
Sylvia at work was gifted the hedgehog charity raffle ticket win. It was a nicely wrapped box with a golden bow with a glass inside with happy 21st.
A fabulous show that I will return to next year. Imogen will most likely return with her dogs in tow as it was a dog friendly show. Loved the overall venue , vibe and just a very cosy environment with everything you need to enjoy the day.