ON one of the hottest days of the year, RHS members piled into the Tatton Park showground to enjoy the first day of the annual show.

With a slightly different layout and blessed with blisteringly hot weather, the exhibition seemed to go down well with guests.

The Guardian had a chat with people out in the sunshine to see what they thought of the biggest horticultural event in the north west.

Duncan and Emma Metcalfe, from Clitheroe, a pair of avid gardeners, are big fans of the show and attend every year.

“This is our fifth time at the show,” said Duncan. “We love it here.”

Emma added: “We love gardening and Duncan used to be a horticulturalist- now he mows the lawn and that’s about it- I I do the rest.

“We come to buy stuff and also to get ideas and inspiration. We will be going to Chatsworth next year, but still come to Tatton as well. We are not bothered about the travelling, it’s worth it.”

Paul and Ann Woolston from Stockport: “It is our first time at the show,” said Paul. “Last year we went to Chelsea.

“We will definitely be coming back here. We are also doing Chatsworth next year,” said Ann. “We got into the whole thing because we wanted to go to ‘The Ivy’ restaurant in Chelsea.”

“I have to say in some ways we were quite disappointed with Chelsea because you don’t get to see a great deal, it’s very busy,” added Paul.

Patrick Gibbons, ex-chairman of the Welwyn and District Garden Club, travelled all the way from Hertfordshire to attend the show. “I am a member of the RHS and have been coming to the show in Tatton for many years,” he said.

“I’ve also been to Chelsea, Hampton Court and other flower shows. I feel like people go to Chelsea to be seen but at Tatton people come to see the plants and the gardens.

“Each has its own unique ambiance.

“When go into Knutsford when we are here. We roped our relatives into coming with us this year and they have been thoroughly amazed.”

David Kendall and Gill and John Mann, from Broxton near Chester, have visited the show in the past. “This year it seems better,” said John. “The floral marquee is unbelievable. The show seems to have extended, and coming on members day there aren’t quite so many people around.

Gill added: “Over the years we have been to Hampton Court and Chelsea and we like Tatton better than any of them. There’s a lot of room, a lot of space.”

“The advantage is that it’s closer to home as well,” added John. “It’s ideal.”

Mike Moley from Sale, who had taken a day to spend with his wife and their family, said: “I have been to Tatton five or six times now but this is our first time as a whole family.

“It’s definitely better when the weather is good but I do think that it’s good every year. This year it seems easier to get around.”