BBC Two Gardeners’ World presenter Toby Buckland hosts Toby’s Garden Festival on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd May (10am-5pm). Set against the stunning backdrop of Powderham Castle, near Exeter, Toby’s Garden Festival is delighted to offer one lucky reader of The Lady two VIP Experience tickets for Saturday 3rd May including festival entry, all-day access to Powderham Castle’s 14th-century library and music room, morning drinks, lunch, afternoon tea, a glass of fizz and other VIP goodies.

Encouraging everyone to learn a new skill with a full programme of free gardening and food and drink talks, hands-on workshops, demonstrations, tastings, live music and much more, the festival is an unmissable two-day celebration of gardening and the great outdoors. Inspirational experts headlining and joining Toby include, BBC Two Gardeners’ World presenters Frances Tophill and Joe Swift, as well as BBC 1 Spotlight presenter Victoria Graham, The Telegraph’s drinks’ writer Susy Atkins and award-winning food writer and gardener, Mark Diacono.

Stave basket making and artists at Toby's Garden Festival

More than just a garden festival, there’ll be over 180 exhibitors, including award-winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show plant nurseries and British-grown trees, roses, borders and wild flowers, aquatics, shrubs and houseplants, plus sculptures and garden furniture and an ‘Artisan Barn’ showcasing local artists, crafts, ceramics, textiles, glassware and jewellery. Heritage craft demonstrations, including stave baskets and brush making and free flower crown making workshops with the help of the British Academy of Flower Arts.

Encouraging visitors to discover new talents, hands-on taster ‘Garden and Art Workshops’ held in the Castle are available to pre-book, including botanical painting with award-winning artist Harriet de Winton, flower arranging classes with Amelia’s Flower Farm and terrarium-building led by Hutch Houseplants. In the Castle grounds there will also be free composting masterclasses with soil scientists RhizoPhyllia, wildflower and seed-sowing workshops by Meadow in My Garden and dry stone walling demos.

Celebrating the best of the South West, visitors can also browse Food Drink Devon’s market in the Castle’s beautiful courtyard featuring over 20 local producers. Feast Street returns, offering the perfect selection of street food and pop-up bars where visitors can relax by the Castle lake and enjoy live music from talented Devon musicians. Wine enthusiasts can also once again enjoy free wine talks and tastings, courtesy of festival sponsor Wickhams, with expert guidance from Susy Atkins and Mark Diacono in the Castle’s elegant dining hall.

Other attractions throughout the festival include street theatre, live music from local artists and vintage vehicles.

◆ To find the full programme of events and further what’s on details, visit the official Toby’s Garden Festival website at tobygardenfest.co.uk. To stay up-todate follow @tobygardenfest on Instagram, Facebook and X.

T&Cs The winner will receive two VIP tickets entitling them to one day’s entry to the Festival on Saturday 3rd May. Over 16’s only. Winning tickets are not redeemable but may be transferred if the winner is unable to attend.