Looking for a fun family day out this autumn? The Malvern Autumn Show returns to Three Counties Showground in Worcestershire from 25–27 September 2026, bringing together giant vegetables, animals, baking, food, crafts and plenty of hands-on activities for children.
The UK’s largest harvest season celebration promises a packed programme for visitors of all ages, with the prestigious RHS Flower Show, the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship and appearances from familiar faces including Monty Don OBE and Joanna Page.
And, of course, there will be plenty of cake.
Get baking at The Great Malvern Cake Off
After making its debut in 2024, The Great Malvern Cake Off returns this year, hosted by TV presenter and author Chris Bavin.
Families can watch live baking demonstrations, join Q&A sessions and see some familiar faces from The Great British Bake Off. On Saturday 26 September, Chris will be joined by Lizzie Acker, a quarter-finalist from the 2021 series, while Sunday welcomes 2019 winner David Atherton and 2020 contestant Lottie Bedlow.
There will also be demonstrations from bakers and food creators from across the UK.
Ziggy Li, also known as The Flowering Baker, will demonstrate how to pipe beautiful buttercream flowers, while Victoria Four Walls Farm will share some of her popular family-friendly bakes and recipes.
Worcestershire bakery Peter Cooks Bread will explore the sweeter side of sourdough, including panettone and coca, while Malvern Bakehouse will demonstrate how to make a sourdough Croque Monsieur.
Food writer and blogger Jane Dunn, better known as Jane’s Patisserie, will also be on hand with tips for making Sticky Toffee Cake and Caramel Apple Crumble Pie.
Children can enter the cake competition too
If your little one enjoys baking, there is also the chance to take part in this year’s Great Malvern Cake Off competition.
Returning classes include Cake or Fake? and Best in the Business, alongside new categories such as Great British Pudding Cake, Children’s Birthday Cake, Farmyard Themed Decorated Traybake and Garden Themed Decorated Fairy Cakes.
Home bakers, amateur bakers, professionals and children are all invited to enter.
Family-friendly fun at the Fun Farm
One of the new attractions for 2026 is The Fun Farm, where children can get involved in countryside-themed games and challenges.
Young visitors can try their hand at hoop horse, foam sheep shearing and cow pat toss, as well as meeting some real farmyard animals.
Attwell Farm Park will also be bringing some of its animal residents, including alpacas, miniature ponies, Valais Blacknose and Suffolk sheep, pygmy and Anglo Nubian goats, rabbits and guinea pigs. There will even be some fascinating bugs to discover.
Try circus skills and get creative
There are plenty of opportunities for children to have a go themselves, too.
On Saturday and Sunday, budding performers can try juggling, stilt walking and plate spinning, while free face painting will also be available.
Families can discover traditional rural crafts including willow weaving, stone carving and blacksmithing, while Art Studio Ross will run arts and crafts activities throughout the three days.
Amterton Arts will be running green woodworking and shave horse workshops, where visitors can make items such as swords and wands to take home.
For children who love science, Diatom Dave from Fun Science Cheltenham will host interactive workshops on Saturday and Sunday. Young scientists can explore different topics, make things to take home and continue their own investigations after the show.
There are also planting workshops run by Haygrove Community Gardens, where children can get their hands dirty planting daffodil bulbs ready for spring.
See some seriously giant vegetables
The CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship is always one of the show’s highlights, and it is likely to be a hit with curious children.
Visitors can marvel at enormous and unusually shaped fruit and vegetables, with the competition regularly producing some record-breaking crops.
It is a great opportunity to show children just how big a pumpkin, squash or other vegetable can actually grow!
Food, drink and a vintage fair
There is plenty for grown-ups to enjoy too, with street food vendors serving sweet and savoury dishes on the Festival Green, alongside an Indoor Food & Drink Market, Artisan Food Market and Great Taste Market.
Families can also explore the Orchard & Hopyard Pavilion, where visitors can learn about cider, perry, fruit growing and traditional orchard skills. There will be fruit pressing demonstrations from the National Fruit Show, while daily orchard tours and tastings will take place at 12.30pm and 3.30pm.
For adults looking for somewhere to relax, the new Two Beacons Vineyard Wine Garden offers views of the Malvern Hills and locally produced wine.
The Vintage Fun Fair will provide some old-fashioned entertainment, with a swing carousel, helter-skelter and coconut shy available for an additional charge.
And for a quieter break, the Vintage Tea Room will be serving hot drinks and homemade cakes.
A family day out in the Malvern Hills
With so much happening across the weekend, the Malvern Autumn Show offers plenty to keep families busy, from animals and giant vegetables to baking, crafts, science and traditional fairground fun.
Even better for families, children aged 16 and under go free.
A Weekend Ticket is also available for 2026, giving visitors entry on both Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September for £35, saving £12 compared with buying two individual day tickets.
Tickets and further information are available from Malvern Autumn Show.
