The biggest vegetables in the region have been revealed at the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show, which opened today (Friday 18 September) at Newby Hall & Gardens near Ripon.
The annual NEHS Giant Vegetable Competition has once again produced some impressive entries, with growers competing across a range of categories. Pictured below are some of this year’s category winners with their winning entries:
- Graham Haswell – giant marrow – 36.43kg
- Chris Marriott – giant beetroot – 21.88kg
- Paul Proud – longest cucumber – 1022mm
- Stephen Purvis – giant leek – 8.4kg
The show is also home to the National Onion Championship, attracting some of the country’s finest giant onion growers.
This year’s champion was Stephen Purvis of Seaham, Co Durham, whose onion weighed in at 7.972kg.
The National Onion Championship has been a highlight of the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show since it was introduced in 1983.
In 2023, the competition made horticultural history when an onion weighing 8.97kg was grown and weighed at the show, setting a world record.
Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show brings together competitive flowers, fruit and vegetables, specialist nurseries, gardening displays, plants, shopping and family activities for three days of autumn gardening inspiration.
The show runs from 18–20 September 2026 at Newby Hall & Gardens, with visitors also able to enjoy the historic house and gardens as part of their day.

The Orchid in Harrogate celebrates award win with a 25-year first
Harrogate MP urges community groups to bid for new Government funding
Independent Harrogate sewing shop celebrates first anniversary
Harrogate care home to host charity dog show this weekend
Harrogate train station among UK's best, according to new research
Knaresborough vet backs new rules to tackle rising pet bills
Ripon head boy appears on Channel 4's The Piano
Harrogate Spring Water to appeal refusal of bottling plant expansion
£350,000 rebuild approved for collapsed wall in Knaresborough
Poets take centre stage in Ripon for National Poetry Day
Runners for Great North Run raise over £17,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Sir Gareth Southgate helps raise £23,000 for Yorkshire children’s hospice
Driver jailed after 130mph police chase ends in Knaresborough
Historic Harrogate hotel put up for sale for £1.45million
Harrogate pupils uncover school's past as Victorian hospital
Harrogate nursery celebrates 'strong standard' after Ofsted inspection
Henshaws launches urgent £10,000 appeal following water damage
UK Foo Fighters to perform at Your Harrogate Stray bonfire and fireworks
Ripon detectorist calls Bayeux Tapestry a 'medieval stitch-up'
Valley Gardens among top winners at Yorkshire in Bloom awards


