Britain in Bloom 2026 Finalists Spotlight Community Resilience and Innovation
Eighteen first-time entrants among 44 community gardening groups have been selected as finalists for the 2026 Britain in Bloom Awards, organized by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). This notable influx of newcomers underscores a growing enthusiasm for local horticultural initiatives across the UK, even amid persistent challenges for many groups. The finalists, drawn from 17 regional competitions, will undergo judging in summer 2026 for medals including gold, silver gilt, silver, and bronze. They will also vie for category wins and the overall title, with results revealed at an autumn ceremony. RHS research indicates that while 52% of participating groups express concerns about their sustainability, 51% have seen volunteer numbers rise, and 25% manage on annual budgets under £500. These figures highlight the determination driving the movement, as groups adapt through innovative fundraising and engagement strategies.
Debutants and Biodiversity Champions Lead the Way
Among the debutants are Poltimore in Bloom from East Devon and Dover in Bloom, both entering the national stage for the first time. Other newcomers are employing creative tactics to bolster their efforts. For instance, Portishead in Bloom organizes an annual open gardens weekend to generate funds, while Henley in Bloom achieved a more than 1,200% income boost via an updated sponsorship program. Smaller communities like Poltimore leverage social media for outreach, Catterall in Bloom offers evening sessions to attract younger volunteers, and Wickham in Bloom promotes a resident-led “adopt a spot” initiative for maintenance. Biodiversity efforts are prominent, reflecting broader environmental goals. North Berwick in Bloom safeguards puffin nesting sites and supports native oyster bed restoration, while Dunstable in Bloom documents hundreds of species within its Sites of Special Scientific Interest. These actions align with the RHS’s emphasis on ecological impact, as noted in their Space to Grow report, which details how such groups deliver significant social and environmental benefits despite resource constraints. Sarah Galvin, RHS Head of National Community Programmes, commented: “As highlighted in the RHS Space to Grow report, community gardening groups are doing incredible work and achieving remarkable impact, often with limited resources. The movement is thriving – 2.5 million people have taken part in the past three years, and a further 14.7 million say they’d like to get involved. Beyond being a competition, Britain in Bloom opens the door for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the social and environmental benefits of gardening. Congratulations to our 44 finalists, whose work is strengthening their communities and inspiring others to get involved.”
Finalists Categorized by Community Size and Focus
The 2026 finalists span various scales and specialties, nominated by regional bodies such as Anglia in Bloom, East Midlands in Bloom, and Wales in Bloom. Below is a breakdown by category:
Village
- Ballynure in Bloom (Ulster in Bloom)
- Brighten Up Kirkconnel (Keep Scotland Beautiful)
- Churchtown in Bloom (North West in Bloom)
- Fletching Parish Council (South East in Bloom)
- Grassington in Bloom (Yorkshire in Bloom)
- Hale Village London (London in Bloom)
- Llanwyrtd in Bloom (Wales in Bloom)
- Poltimore in Bloom (South West in Bloom)
- Washington Village in Bloom Society (Northumbria in Bloom)
Large Village
- Beckerment Village Association (Cumbria in Bloom)
- Bosworth in Bloom (East Midlands in Bloom)
- Catterall in Bloom (North West in Bloom)
- Donaghmore Horticultural Community (Ulster in Bloom)
- Wickham in Bloom (South in Bloom)
Small Town
- Alderley Edge in Bloom (North West in Bloom)
- Edwinstowe in Bloom (East Midlands in Bloom)
- Goring on Thames in Bloom (Thames & Chilterns in Bloom)
- Sawtry (Anglia in Bloom)
- Stonehouse in Bloom (Heart of England in Bloom)
- Tidy Randalstown (Ulster in Bloom)
- Wareham Community Growers (South in Bloom)
Town
- Blooming Haddington (Keep Scotland Beautiful)
- Chatteris in Bloom (Anglia in Bloom)
- Glastonbury in Bloom (South West in Bloom)
- Henley in Bloom (Thames & Chilterns in Bloom)
Large Town
- Antrim (Ulster in Bloom)
- Chester-le-Street in Bloom (Northumbria in Bloom)
- Dunstable in Bloom (Anglia in Bloom)
- Malvern in Bloom (Heart of England in Bloom)
- Prestatyn in Bloom (Wales in Bloom)
- Truro in Bloom (South West in Bloom)
- Grimsby in Bloom (East Midlands in Bloom)
- Rugby in Bloom (Heart of England in Bloom)
- Wrexham in Bloom (Wales in Bloom)
Coastal
- Ansdell in Bloom (North West in Bloom)
- Dover in Bloom (South East in Bloom)
- Island of Alderney (Floral Guernsey)
- North Berwick in Bloom (Keep Scotland Beautiful)
- Parish of St Helier (Natural Jersey)
- Portishead in Bloom (South West in Bloom)
Town Centres & City Centres
- Floral Godalming (South East in Bloom)
- Rochdale Town Centre (North West in Bloom)
- Shaftesbury in Bloom (South in Bloom)
- Sidcup Partners Ltd (London in Bloom)
This diverse lineup illustrates the program’s reach, from rural villages to urban centers, fostering greener spaces nationwide. The participation surge suggests potential for expanded community involvement, with 2.5 million people already engaged over the last three years. As community gardening gains traction, consider volunteering with a local group or starting one in your area to enhance biodiversity and social connections in your neighborhood.
Fact Check
- The 2026 Britain in Bloom Awards feature 44 finalists, with 18 debuting nationally, including groups from East Devon and Dover.
- RHS data shows 52% of groups worry about future viability, yet 51% report more volunteers and 25% operate on budgets below £500 annually.
- Innovative funding examples include Henley in Bloom’s 1,200% sponsorship income rise and Portishead’s open gardens event.
- Biodiversity initiatives involve protecting puffin sites and oyster beds in North Berwick, plus species recording in Dunstable.
- Over 2.5 million have participated in the past three years, with 14.7 million expressing interest in joining.
