Step into 500 million years of history at BBC Gardeners' World Live
BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2026 is bringing something very different to the National Exhibition Centre from 18 to 21 June and it has a strong connection with UoB.
Professor Alice Roberts is co-creating a headline show garden called the Garden of Evolution, alongside award-winning designer David Stevens.
You will walk through 500 million years of evolution, from the earliest life forms to modern-day climate research, all in one immersive space.
What you will see
This is not just plants and flowers. The garden is designed as a journey through time.
You will move from ancient swamp-like landscapes to prehistoric forests, passing through major evolutionary periods including the Jurassic and Cretaceous. Expect dramatic features like:
• Life-sized dinosaur models (including a rare Ajkaceratops)
• A giant prehistoric millipede
• Fossil-inspired displays created with the Lapworth Museum of Geology
• A reconstruction of the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) experiment
The final section brings things back to today, focusing on climate change research and how forests respond to environmental shifts.
The garden celebrates over a decade of research from the University of Birmingham, bringing together science, history, and public engagement.
It is also a rare chance to see academic research turned into something fully interactive and visual. Not just something you read about, but something you can walk through.
Alice Roberts will be there every day hosting live conversations and signing copies of her latest book Humans: The Evolution of a Species.
What else is on
Beyond the headline garden, the event is packed with things to do:
• Talks from presenters like Monty Don and Adam Frost
• Show gardens, plant displays, and the Floral Marquee
• Thousands of plants and gardening products to browse
• Access to the Good Food Show Summer (included with your ticket)
• Live entertainment, street food, and a festival-style atmosphere
Student discount
If you are thinking of going, there are exclusive discounts for UoB students, staff, and alumni:
• 20% off with code UOB20 (until 20 April)
• 15% off with code UOB15 (until 20 May, excluding Saturday tickets)
Discounts apply to standard adult tickets only, and booking fees apply.
Make sure to book your tickets before the deadline.
Even if you are not into gardening, this is more than that. It is part science exhibition, part outdoor installation, and part summer event.
If you want something different to do in Birmingham that actually links back to your uni, this event is worth checking out.