Hungerford in Bloom: How Our Town Is Taking on Britain's Most Prestigious Floral Competition

Hungerford Town Council (HTC) has entered the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom 2026 competition, and this is an exciting moment for our town.

Britain in Bloom is not simply a flower show. It is one of the UK's most respected civic improvement programmes, running since 1963. The RHS uses it as a vehicle to help towns tackle problem areas, improve green spaces, and create environments where wildlife, pollinators, residents, and visitors can all thrive. Judging looks at everything from floral displays and planting schemes to community involvement, environmental responsibility, and long-term commitment to improvement.

In short, it is a year-round project that benefits the whole town, not just for 2026 but for years to come.

Why It Matters for Hungerford

Being part of Britain in Bloom is about far more than winning a certificate. It is about building civic pride, encouraging volunteering, and making Hungerford a more inviting place to live in, work in, and visit. That last point matters enormously for local businesses. A more beautiful, vibrant town centre attracts more footfall, supports tourism, and strengthens the economic case for visiting Hungerford over neighbouring towns.

The RHS criteria specifically recognise community ownership. The more residents and businesses get involved, the stronger our entry, and the stronger our town.

What's Happening on the Ground

Two visible and exciting projects are already under way.

The first is a series of eight large planted tubs positioned at key points across the town. Three will be placed in Croft, three near the white railings at the top of town, and one outside the Croft Field Centre. These tubs will add colour and life to some of Hungerford's most-visited spots.

The second project is a bug hotel, being built by the brilliant Hungerford Men's Shed. It is several feet long, will spell out H-U-N-G-E-R-F-O-R-D, and will be placed near the roundabout next to Barr's Yard, making it one of the first things people see when they arrive in the town. It is a bold, imaginative statement that says: this community cares about nature. It will also provide valuable habitat for insects and pollinators, which ties directly into the environmental improvement criteria that BiB judges look for.

How Your Business Can Help

Sponsoring one of the tubs or contributing to the bug hotel is a straightforward way for local businesses to be part of something meaningful, and to be seen to be part of it.

Sponsors will be associated with a high-profile, positive community project. Your support will help fund the planting, materials, and ongoing maintenance that make these features look their best throughout the judging period and beyond.

If you would like to discuss sponsorship of one of the tubs or the Hungerford bug hotel, please get in touch. Any contribution, large or small, will make a real difference. Or visit the Good Exchange.

Get Involved

Britain in Bloom is a community competition. The more people who get behind it, whether through sponsorship, volunteering, or simply taking pride in how our town looks, the better Hungerford will do. And more importantly, the better Hungerford will be.

Watch this space for more updates as the project develops throughout 2026.