Spring and Summer
The HTA Spring and Summer Regional Events run for a period between April-September
These events offer a chance to connect and engage with fellow HTA members at various venues, learn from industry experts on topics affecting you, and share your voice to make a difference in environmental Horticulture.
Click the sections below to find an event near you and register for free.
South East, Essex, East Anglia and Greater London Region
Northern Home Counties & London Regional Event
Greenfingers Dragon Boat Race
Date: Sunday 6 July 2025
Time: TBC
Venue: Grendon Lakes
Address: Grendon Lakes, Main Rd, Northampton NN7 1JW
East Anglia Regional Event
Join us on Thursday 31 July for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Darby Nursery Stock. This is a rare opportunity to explore one of the UK’s leading large-scale nurseries and gain valuable insights into their plant production processes.
You’ll learn about the nursery’s history, hear about its future plans, and see its operations up close. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow HTA members, exchange ideas, and enjoy an inspiring and relaxed day.
Date: Thursday 31 July
Time: 10:30 - 14:30
Venue: Darby Nursery Stock
Address: Old Feltwell Rd, Methwold, Thetford IP26 4PW
Agenda:
- Arrival & refreshments
- Update from the HTA
- History & future of Darby Nursery Stock
- Tour of the nursery
- Lunch & networking
- Goodbyes
South East Regional Event
Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour at The Farplants Group, where you’ll see their member nurseries and 8,000sqm Finishing Centre. It will also be an excellent opportunity to meet other HTA members in your area.
Farplants has been running for over fifty years, becoming one of the largest UK plant suppliers. Today, they grow over 11 million plants a year. See firsthand how they grow, nurture, and deliver a wide range of plants to retailers nationwide.
Date: Wednesday 16 July
Time: 12:30-16:30
Venue: Farplants Sales Ltd
Address: Yapton Ln, Walberton, Arundel BN18 0AS
Essex Regional Event
Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour of W.D. Smith & Son and RHS Hyde Hall (Floral Fantasia) on Wednesday, 27 August. This is a unique opportunity to visit a family-owned bedding plant nursery. Then, we’ll head to the Floral Fantasia garden at RHS Hyde Hall, showcasing new plant introductions from UK growers. Following Peter Seabrook’s passing, Mike Smith (W.D. Smith & Son) has stepped in to chair the working group, ensuring its continued development. It’s a great chance to connect with fellow HTA members, gain insights to support your business and appreciate the fantastic work being done.
Date: Wednesday 27 August
Time: TBC
Venue: Smith W D & Son and RHS Hyde Hall
Address: Grange Nurseries/Woodham Rd, Wickford SS11 7QU
East Midlands Regional Event
We invite you to join us at Stratford Garden Centre on Tuesday 1 July for an informal members’ meeting focussing on getting the very best out of your garden centre catering offer. This is a great opportunity for you to meet other HTA members in your area. There will be a tour of this well-established, destination garden centre and Lime Tree Restaurant. You will also hear from experts, Costas Constantinou of Kosko Hospitality Consultants on ‘driving hospitality sales, profit and controlling costs’ and Lily Hart from Appetite-Me on ‘Offering farm-to-table experiences using local produce to enhance the garden centre's appeal’ and enjoy a delicious Afternoon Tea courtesy of Stratford Garden Centre.
Date: Tuesday 1 July
Time: 13:30 - 16:45
Venue: Stratford Garden Centre
Address: Camden Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 8LW
Agenda:
- Welcome and introductions
- Garden Centre tour
- Costas Constantinou, Kosko Hospitality Consultants
- Afternoon tea
- Lily Hart, Appetite-Me
This event is now at maximum capacity please contact [email protected] to be placed on the waiting list.
West Midlands Regional Event
We invite you to join us at The Laskett Garden on Thursday 17 July for an informal members’ meeting focussing on ‘10 Do’s and Don'ts when submitting a planning application’. This is a great opportunity for you to meet other HTA members in your area. There will be a tour of this beautiful garden, which was gifted by Sir Roy Strong to Perennial in 2021 to help people in horticulture, and you will also hear from HTA Advice Line Provider Chris Primett of Malcolm Scott Consultants, on how to submit a successful planning application. Lunch will be provided.
Date: 17 July 2025
Time: 11:00 - 16:00
Venue: Perennial’s Laskett Garden
Address: Laskett Lane, Much Birch, Hereford HR2 8HZ
Agenda:
- Welcome & introductions
- History of The Laskett Garden and garden tour
- Lunch
- Chris Primett, Malcolm Scott Consultants Discussion
- Phil Swainston, Perennial
- Teas, coffees and cake in the garden
Yorkshire Regional Event
We invite you to join us at Wykeham Mature Plants on Tuesday 15 July for an informal members’ meeting focussing on the cost of doing business and HTA’s lobbying activity on your behalf. This is a great opportunity for you to meet other HTA members in your area. There will be a tour of the impressive nursery. you will hear from Jenifer Pheasey, HTA’s Director of Public Affairs, Jonathan Millar of Troo energy consultants and James Bleazard of HTA Insurance on how they can help your business. A number of other HTA Preferred Partners will also be present providing opportunities for you to make the most of your membership. Lunch will be provided.
Date: 15 July 2025
Time: 11:00 - 15:30
Venue: Wykeham Mature Plants
Address: The Walled Garden, Wykeham Abbey, Wykeham, Scarborough, YO13 9QS
Agenda:
- Welcome & introductions
- Nursery Tour
- Lunch
- Jenifer Pheasey – HTA’s lobbying activities on the cost of doing business
- Jonathan Millar, Troo – Energy procurement and solar
- James Bleazard, HTA Insurance – the cost of underinsuring your business
Southwest Regional Event
Date: Tuesday 8 July 2025
Time: 10:30 - 15:30
Venue: RocketGro
Address: Swang Farm, Cannington, Bridgwater, Somerset TA5 2NJ
Agenda:
- Tour of RocketGro
- Business update from RocketGro and PlanetMark.
- Presentation by James Strawbridge - A chef and writer, influencer and Instagram promoter- 'plot to plate' and 'sustainable growing' with 'Organic low Carbon Living'
- Presentation by Ecotribo, a business which specialises in turning Ocean plastic and Plastic Waste into brilliant products like plant pots and even benches!
Southwest Regional Event
We invite you to join us at Batsford Arboretum on Tuesday 5th August.
The event is being kindly hosted by the Batsford Foundation, a charitable trust set up to promote research and education in conservation, arboriculture, gardens and architecture. You will learn about the history of the site which began in 1886! And how the site runs today. You will also hear from Pippa Greenwood on topical plant information.
The event is free to come to and lunch is included. You will also be given free entry to the arboretum, a great opportunity to see a very special place. We look forward to seeing you there!
Date: Tuesday 5 August 2025
Time: 10:00 - 13:30
Venue: Batsford Arboretum
Address: Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 9AT
Devon & Cornwall Regional Event
Date: Tuesday 23 September 2025
Time: 10:30 – 15:00
Venue: Eden Project
Address: Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG
Central South Regional Event
Join us at Formbar, a HTA Member who provide great support for their customers and strive to help garden centres enhance their customer experience.
At this event we will be covering the topics of how to create the best customer journey, how to increase sales and tackle security and theft, which is now affecting many of our members.
This will be an informative afternoon with experts from the industry and a great opportunity to meet with other members.
Date: Thursday 24 July 2025
Time: 13:00 - 16:30
Venue: Formbar Limited
Address: Formbar Manor Farm Courtyard, West Hagbourne, Didcot, OX11 0ND
Agenda:
- How to create and improve your customers experience and increase sales, why would a customer choose to shop with you, the importance of trolleys and baskets
- Plant Retail Success
- Loss Prevention – Smart Gates, Customer flow management system, security cabinets and more
- Insight Retail Risk Consultancy – Retail Crime Trends and Practical Ways to Protect your Business
Southwest Regional Event
Date: Thursday 11 September 2025
Time: TBC
Venue: Monkton Elm Garden Centre
Address: Monkton Heathfield, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8QN
North England Regional Event
We are delighted to invite you to join us on a two-site event this July. Firstly, we will be visiting the Westland / Sinclair growing media production facilities to understand the challenges and work involved to create such a great range of products. Secondly, we will be visiting the Award winning Gordale Garden Centre established in 1948. Both visits will provide a fantastic opportunity for industry updates, networking and discussion. Light refreshments will be provided through the day.
Date: Tuesday 22 July
Time: 11:00 - 16:00
Venue: Westland / Sinclair Horticulture and Gordale Garden and Home Centre
Address: 4LD South Rd, Ellesmere Port CH65 4LD
Agenda:
- Arrival and Registration – Teas, Coffee, and cold drinks available
- Tour of Growing Media Production facilities.
- Leave for Gordale Garden and Home Centre
- Presentations and Discussions
- Light Refreshments
Wales Regional Event
Join us for an afternoon of presentations, group discussions and networking opportunities at the award winning Fron Goch Garden Centre operating since 1981.
Date: Wednesday 30 July
Time: 12:00 - 16:30
Venue: Fron Goch Garden Centre
Address: Pant Road , Caernarfon , LL54 5RL.
Agenda:
- Arrivals and Registration – Teas and Coffees
- Tour of the Site including new developments
- Lunch
- Making the most of your business session run Appetite Me
- Group Discussion and Networking opportunity
- Summary and Close
Regional Events Booking Form
Please fill in all the required information to book onto the regional event you would like to attend.
Should you have any additional questions or queries please contact the HTA Events team below who will be able to assist you with any further information