A HISTORIC venue is set to open its grounds for the launch of a gardening fair.

Audley End in Saffron Walden, one of England’s grandest mansions, will open its gardens, grounds and house to thousands of keen gardeners next month for the launch of BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair.

The Autumn Fair will be a showcase for gardening expertise, with garden inspiration and plants to browse and buy from nurseries and specialist growers.

There will also be a host of experts on hand to give gardening advice to attendees from September 2 to 4.

BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Editor Lucy Hall and her team will be hosting special guests on-stage and in conversation in Audley End’s gardens.

Audley End is in the care of the English Heritage.

BBC Gardeners’ World presenters will share their vast knowledge with Adam Frost appearing on Friday, Arit Anderson on Saturday and Joe Swift on Sunday.

Lucy Chamberlain, the resident plant expert for BBC Radio Essex, and Saul Walker, will be leading garden tours, and there will be an abundance of nurseries, growers, designers and landscapers on hand. 

If growing vegetables is for you, visitors can also learn about growing mushrooms from the Caley Brothers, a sibling-run business from Sussex that grow Oyster Mushrooms in a low tech, sustainable environment on reused coffee grounds.

The family will be presenting workshops and talks on how to grow mushrooms at home and will be selling growing kits. 

There are plenty of opportunities for shopping too, with exhibitors, including local nurseries, Leafy Plants from Essex, and Mandy Plants and Peter Beales from Norfolk on hand selling a wide range of plants.

There will also be exhibitors of gardening equipment, containers and pots, accessories, furniture, clothing and more.

Other show features include a tree giveaway by the Woodland Trust, and fun, free activities for children from The Gardens Trust, with a pop-up exhibition about historic parks and gardens.  

Tickets for the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair include full access to Audley End House, grounds and gardens.

Find out more and book tickets at bbcgardenersworldfair.com.