Details of all classes in the show can be found below. The online entry form will be available on the website from the beginning of August.
Young Exhibitors
Classes for those under 12 on 31/8/2026
A
Miniature garden in a seed tray
B
Model made from recycled materials
Maximum 45cm in any direction
C
An animal made from vegetables or flowers
D
Durham of the Future
A themed item of art or craft
E
A crown made from vegetables and flowers
F
A poem or limerick written by hand
Minimum of five lines
Please note, Juniors can enter any of the subsequent classes as well.
Flowers and pot plants
Flowers and pot plants will be judged for their appearance and uniformity. You will need to provide vases or containers to show them in, but they will not be taken into account in the judgement.
f1
Scented Geranium or Pelargonium
Show one plant in its pot.
f2
Mixed Dahlias
Show one vase or container – maximum diameter container size 10cm (4″), any number of flowers. Can be mixed in colour and type.
f3
Decorative, waterlily, ball or pompon Dahlias
Show three blooms.
f4
Cactus, semi-cactus and fimbriated Dahlias
Show three blooms.
f5
Single, anemone, star, orchid, paeony or collarette Dahlias
Show three blooms. ie all dahlias with a visible centre.
f6
Rose blooms
Show three blooms. Remove any buds.
f7
Rose sprays
Show two stems.
f8
Marigolds
Show five identical blooms. Single or double.
f9
Gladioli
Show three stems.
f10
Begonia in its pot
Show one pot.
f11
Pansies or violas
Show five blooms. A shallow vase or container will show off the blooms to advantage.
f12
A Carnivorous plant
f13
Single bloom
Show one bloom of any variety of flower (eg a single rose, zinnia or agapanthus head).
f14
Single stem or spray
Show one stem or spray of any variety of flower (eg a single delphinium or gypsophila).
f15
Vase of mixed garden flowers
The vase must not be wider than 15cm (6″) diameter.
f16
Orchid growing in its pot
Show one pot.
f17
Flowering plant in its pot
Show one pot. May be either an indoor or outdoor plant.
f18
Single cactus or succulent growing in a pot
f19
A houseplant
Foliage only.
f20
Fuchsia
Show one in its pot.
f21
Sunflower
Show either a single sunflower head or one multi-stemmed variety.
f22
Sweet peas
Show six stems (any variety).
f23
Salvia
Show three stems (any variety).
f24
Brightest coloured flower
Show a maximum of five stems.
f25
Best Garden Weed
Potted for display.
Flower arrangements
Arrangements will be judged on their appearance.
a1
Miniature arrangement
Maximum 10cm (4″) in any direction, including stand
a2
Small arrangement
Maximum 20cm (8″) in any direction, including stand.
a3
Arrangement in an unusual container
Any size.
a4
Arrangement: Any arrangement using an alternative to floral foam
Maximum 60cm (2′) wide or deep but can be any height. Accessories and dried material may be used.
a5
Arrangement of dried flowers
Vegetables
Vegetables will be judged on their condition, uniformity, size, shape and colour (except of course for the longest runner bean, tastiest tomato and the comical vegetable classes!). Display them on a plate or dish where possible. Any container will not be taken into account in the judgement.
v1
Potatoes
Show two, lightly washed if necessary.
v2
Carrots
Show two, lightly washed if necessary, with leaves trimmed.
v3
Longest carrot
Show one. Judged for length.
v4
Beetroot
Show two, lightly washed if necessary, with trimmed tops.
v5
Onions grown from seed
Show two, with tops cut and tied off with raffia or similar. They are likely to look better if held on stands (eg rings cut from a cardboard roll) or in sand, perlite or similar.
v6
Onions grown from sets
Show as onions grown from seed (v5).
v7
Leeks
Show two, lightly washed if necessary, with full leaves.
v8
Pot leeks
Show two, 6″ to tight button.
v9
Large shallots
Show three, with tops cut and neatened (can be tied off). May, if you wish, be shown in sand, perlite or similar on a plate, but this is not obligatory.
v10
Small (pickling) shallots
Maximum 25mm (1″) diameter. Show three, with tops cut and neatened(can be tied off). May, if you wish, be shown in sand, perlite or similar on a plate, but this is not obligatory.
v11
Runner beans
Show three. Beans with prominent beans inside will not score so well. Do not remove the stems completely.
v12
Longest runner bean
Show one. Judged for length.
v13
French beans
Show three. Beans with prominent beans inside will not score so well. Do not remove the stems completely.
v14
Courgettes
Show two, lightly washed if necessary. Leave some stem showing. Maximum 6″ long.
v15
Marrow
Show one, lightly washed if necessary.
v16
Cucumber
Show one, lightly washed if necessary. Leave some stem showing. Points will be awarded for straightness.
v17
Tomatoes
Show three. Should be ripe. Leave some stem showing. There will be three subcategories for Tomatoes: Small, Medium and Large. Please show on sand.
Tomatoes judged on taste (v18, v19):
v18
Yellow, orange, Tiger or black tomatoes
Show three. Should be ripe. Leave some stem showing.
v19
Truss of tomatoes
Show one truss. The tomatoes need not all be ripe but should be well formed.
v20
Lettuce
Show one, lightly washed if necessary, but take care that washing does not damage the leaves. Do not remove any outside leaves.
v21
Cabbage
Show one, lightly washed if necessary, but take care that washing does not damage the leaves. Do not remove any outside leaves.
v22
Peppers, sweet (capsicum)
Show two.
v23
Peppers, hot (chilli)
Show 2.
v24
Garlic
Show three bulbs with tops neatened and tied off. Trim roots but leave some showing.
v25
Squash
Show one. Leave some stem showing.
v26
Any other kind of vegetable
Show one if large, or three to six if small. Lightly wash if necessary. Do not polish.
v27
A mixture of edible flowers, leaves and/or herbs in a jam jar with a list of what’s included
Judged for quality, variety and presentation.
v28
Rhubarb
Show three sticks. Trim off the leaves but not the base.
v29
The rudest vegetable or vegetable disaster
Show one.
Vegetable tray
t1
Vegetable tray
Show three different kinds of vegetable, trimmed, if necessary, displayed within a tray (or similar) not larger than 76cm (2’6″) square. For each type of vegetable follow the corresponding individual rule. They will be judged accordingly and, in addition, points will be awarded for presentation.
Fruit
Fruit will be judged for condition, uniformity, size and colour. Display on a plate or dish where possible. The container will not be taken into account in the judgement. Show-fruit are always shown with some stem showing, so be careful when picking not to remove the stem (you may need to cut them rather than pick).
ft1
Eating apples
Show three. Leave the stems showing. Don’t polish, leave the natural bloom.
ft2
Cooking apples
Show three. Leave the stems showing. Don’t polish, leave the natural bloom.
ft3
Plums and gages
Show three. Leave some stems showing. Don’t polish, leave the natural bloom.
ft4
Blackberries
Show five. Leave some stems showing. You can exhibit them with blackberry leaves if you wish, but this is not obligatory.
ft5
Raspberries
Show five. Leave some stem showing. You can exhibit them with Raspberry leaves if you wish but this is not obligatory.
ft6
Pears
Show 3. Leave the stems showing. Don’t polish.
ft7
Any other type of fruit
Show any number, but only of one variety. Leave some stem showing. Don’t polish.
ft8
Heaviest apple
Show one, any variety
Preserves and produce
Jars of labelled produce can be of any size. Pickles and chutneys are best when matured. All are judged on appearance, texture and taste.
p1
Jar of jam
p2
Jar of lemon or any other fruit curd
p3
Jar of marmalade, any flavour
p4
Jar of jelly
p5
Bottle of fruit or flower cordial
p6
Bottle of alcoholic beverage
p7
Jar of pickled onions or shallots
p8
Jar of chutney
p9
Jar of pickled or fermented food
p10
Jar of honey
p11
Fresh eggs
Show three
Cookery
Entries should be covered and shown on a plate. To be judged on overall appearance, taste and texture.
c1
Victoria sponge
Made to the following set recipe:
Victoria sponge
200g/8oz margarine or butter
200g/8oz castor sugar
200g/8oz self-raising flour
4 eggs
Raspberry jam for filling and sugar for dusting
Cream the butter or margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a little flour with each. Fold in the remaining flour. Place mixture into two greased 20cm/8″ sandwich tins (measured across the base). Bake in a moderate oven 160 Fan/Gas Mark 4 for 20-25 minutes. When cool, fill with raspberry jam and dust with sugar.
c2
Mini savoury scones
Maximum 5cm(2″) cutter. Show three.
c3
A vegetable cake
c4
Muffins
Show three.
c5
A gluten-free cake
c6
A vegan cake
c7
Decorated shortbread
Show three.
c8
A loaf of bread
Arts & crafts
ac1
A knitted work
ac2
A crocheted work
ac3
A quilted item
ac4
Tapestry or embroidery (including cross-stitch)
ac5
Any other textile product
ac6
Something new from something old
ac7
An item of woodcraft
ac8
A soft toy (includes felting)
ac9
A painting
ac10
A drawing
ac11
A photograph
ac12
An item of ceramic or glass art
ac13
A poem or limerick written by hand
Minimum of five lines
Dog show
£2 per entry for Happy Paws Rescue Charity
d1
Best Puppy
d2
Best Male
d3
Best Female
d4
Best Crossbreed
d5
Best Rescue
d6
Golden Oldie
d7
Best Fancy Dress
d8
Best in Show