Free community weekend confirmed for Court Hey Park
Two of Knowsley’s best-attended summer fixtures will be back at Court Hey Park next month, with a refreshed programme and significant changes to how visitors get to the site. The Knowsley Feelgood Festival will be held on Saturday 1 August, followed by the 28th Knowsley Flower Show on Sunday 2 August — a weekend that traditionally attracts thousands of people for free activities, displays and family entertainment.
Health, wellbeing and community at the Feelgood Festival
Saturday’s programme centres on health, activity and local support. The festival will feature opportunities to try gentle fitness sessions, wellbeing and mindfulness activities, and to connect with local organisations offering advice and information from across the borough. Organisers say the day is designed to be inclusive, with choices for all ages and abilities to help people move, learn and unwind.
Flower Show returns with a literary theme
On Sunday, the borough’s flagship horticultural showcase — billed as the largest free flower show in the North West — returns with more than 100 competition classes. This year’s theme, “Stories in Full Bloom”, ties in with the National Year of Reading, weaving together literature and gardening through creative exhibits and competitions. Classes span flowers, fruit, vegetables, baking, crafts and children’s entries, and both seasoned exhibitors and first-time entrants are being encouraged to take part.
- Over 100 competitive categories: flowers, produce, baking, crafts and children’s entries
- Free family attractions across both days, including face painting and circus skills
- Traders, community stalls and food and drink outlets on site
New travel and parking arrangements
For 2026, organisers have introduced a park-and-ride system and removed general parking at Court Hey Park. Visitors are asked to use the dedicated service from King George V Playing Fields (Longview Lane), with a shuttle included in the parking fee. A small number of Blue Badge spaces will remain available on site.
| Event | Date | Parking location | Charge | Shuttle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knowsley Feelgood Festival | Sat 1 August | King George V Playing Fields, Longview Lane | £4 | Included |
| Knowsley Flower Show | Sun 2 August | King George V Playing Fields, Longview Lane | £6 | Included |
There will be no general parking at Court Hey Park during the weekend, and attendees are advised to follow event signage to the park-and-ride hub. Organisers expect strong demand and are asking visitors to plan their journeys in good time.
Family attractions across both days
Beyond the core programmes, both days will include a wide variety of attractions. Alongside stalls from independent retailers and community groups, the site will feature food and drink vendors, face painting, circus skills sessions, the Bubble Fairy and a funfair with rides for different age groups. The aim is to provide a free day out where families can participate as much as spectate, with hands-on activities sitting alongside displays and demonstrations.
Why this matters for Knowsley
The weekend brings together health promotion, community engagement and the borough’s horticultural talent in a single free offer. With budgets tight for many families, the combination of no admission charge and structured access via park-and-ride is likely to broaden participation. The flower show’s reading theme also gives schools, libraries and community groups a fresh hook to connect literacy with outdoor learning and creativity. For traders and local groups, the footfall generated by the two-day programme offers a valuable platform to reach residents from across Knowsley and beyond.
What attendees should know
- Admission is free on both days; parking charges apply at the park-and-ride hub as listed above.
- General parking will not be available at Court Hey Park; a limited number of on-site Blue Badge spaces will be provided.
- Activities are suitable for a range of ages; competitive entries at the flower show cover adults and children.
Further details on schedules, competition entry requirements and any late changes are expected to be shared by organisers in the run-up to the weekend.
