Sunken Garden Eco Fair Returns to Margate, Kent, with Focus on Wildlife and Sustainability
From bike repairs to bee keeping, mushrooms to hops, growing edible plants to identifying bees and much more
The Sunken Garden Eco Fair will return to Margate this September, bringing together environmental organisations, expert speakers and hands-on activities for a day dedicated to wildlife, conservation and sustainable living.
The event will take place on Sunday, 20 September 2026, from 11.30am to 4pm at the Sunken Garden on the Royal Esplanade in Westbrook, offering visitors an opportunity to explore a wide range of eco-friendly initiatives through workshops, talks and information stands.
Around 40 local and national organisations are expected to take part, showcasing their work in environmental protection, biodiversity and sustainable practices. Exhibitors will include the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Windmill Community Gardens Margate, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Kent's Plan Bee and the Bon Volks Swift Project.
The day's programme of talks will begin with David Whitehead and Jack Scott from Quex Farms, who will discuss regenerative farming and how food production can improve the environment while supporting local communities.
They will be followed by wildlife campaigner Nik Mitchell, known as Get Wild, who will introduce an ambitious Margate project involving the world's fastest animal. Paul Twyman, head gardener at Yoakley House, will then share how he has preserved traditional Victorian gardening techniques while creating a tranquil and beautiful landscape. The talks will conclude with Steven Edney from The No Name Nursery, who will discuss drought-tolerant and coastal planting, an increasingly important topic as gardeners adapt to changing climate conditions.
The event has once again secured the support of Kent Community Foundation.
Chief Executive Catherine Glover said: "We are delighted to be supporting Sunken Garden's Eco Fair again this year. This hugely popular event is a highlight in the local calendar and shows the power of communities coming together to care for their environment.
"We're proud to play a part in supporting this important community initiative."
Organisers say further updates to the programme are still being added and are encouraging people to visit the event website for the latest information and booking details. Volunteers are also being sought to assist with event setup and takedown, talk marshalling and other activities, with benefits including a free ticket to one of the talks.
The Sunken Garden Eco Fair is funded and supported by the Charles Burnett III Memorial Fund through Kent Community Foundation, Vattenfall, a Kent County Council Members Grant from Luke Evans, Margate Rotary and Academy FM.
It runs regular monthly gardening days on the last Saturday of the month from 10am to 12 noon - the next one will be on Saturday 29th August.
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Find out more about the Sunken Garden, the history and plants, at www.thesunkengarden.co.uk
The Sunken Garden is on Royal Esplanade, Westbrook, Margate CT9 5EJ
