High Quality Entries Once Again in 2026 Guildford in Bloom Competition

Published on: 15 Sep, 2026
Updated on: 18 Sep, 2026

Drinkers and staff at the Compasses Inn in Gomshall are raising a glass after the pub garden won Guildford in Bloom’s Best in Competition award.

The Compasses Inn in Gomshall won Guildford in Bloom’s Best in Competition 2026 award.

The display of containers and hanging baskets crammed with bright colours decorates the building, fills the riverside space and is a jewel in the crown of the pretty Surrey village.

The judges said: “The first impression of a welcoming relaxing outdoor space is simply stunning.

“The front and side of the pub is an oasis of hanging baskets and barrel planters with a walkway across a babbling brook to an extensive garden space surrounded by planters at almost every table.”

The Compasses Inn with one of its floral displays.

They paid tribute to the pub’s workforce, who have kept the flowers watered using the stream and in tiptop condition during the extreme weather conditions.

Matt Gaskin, of Guildford in Bloom’s premium sponsor, Unigold, presented the award to the Compasses Inn.

Bar manager Lynda Cook said she was taken aback by the number of people who had stopped and photographed the garden, adding: “I can’t believe all the interest we have had on Instagram and TikTok – we have been very lucky this year.”.

The Compasses also won best garden in the pubs category, which was sponsored by Pubwatch.

Guildford in Bloom honoured all the winners and participants of its popular gardening competition at its awards ceremony and reception, hosted by James Cannon of BBC Radio Surrey, and also attended by the Mayor of Guildford, Jane Tyson, sponsors, judges and supporters.

Best Wildlife Garden was won by David Knapp of Puttenham where, judges said: “Every inch was dedicated to providing for wildlife not people”.

Bee Friends’ five-acre ancient woodland site in Worplesdon, which runs free educational sessions for schools and uniformed organisations, was chosen as Nature Champion, a category sponsored by Clandon Wood Natural Burial Ground.

Competition in the allotment and kitchen garden sections, sponsored by Chapters Financial, was keen with Les and Stella Hind of Burpham taking the top honours for experienced tenants.

Judges praised the variety and quality of the fruit and vegetables grown in the weed-free plot.

The competition for tenants with less than 18 months of experience was won by Clive and Mark of Farnham Road allotments, whose Belfast sink wildlife pond and well cared for crops impressed.

Unusual design and clever, modern planting gave Simon and Dominie Tranter the top award in the Large Front Garden section, sponsored by Sally Rule.

Mary and Keith Lawrence won best Small Front Garden.

Mary and Keith Lawrence scooped best Small Front Garden, a category supported by Leo Architecture.

The recipients of the Best Small Space garden. Sonia Paterson is third from left.

The overall winner of Best Small Space was Sonia Paterson, who tends a wide variety of plants outside a block of flats from her third-floor home.

The award for the Best Business Garden went to management consultancy MMRG Ltd.

Management consultancy MMRG Limited took best business garden, with a blend of cottage and tropical planting.

Best Neighbourhood project, sponsored by St Edward Homes, was awarded to HMP Send Prison.

Sallie Barker, who chairs Guildford in Bloom, said: “We were delighted with the high quality of entries this year and the number of new gardens entered.

“The standard just keeps rising, and it’s wonderful to see everyone from pub gardens to allotment holders to schools and community groups getting involved.

“Guildford in Bloom couldn’t happen without the dedication of our entrants, and we’re so grateful to our sponsors and supporters for helping us celebrate them and make Guildford a greener place.”

Guildford in Bloom says it is very grateful to all its sponsors, judges and supporters.

More information and photographs on the winners and lots of ways to get involved with our mission to make Guildford a greener place can be found at https://www.guildfordinbloom.com

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