⭐ Special Guest Headliner ⭐
Fernhill Farm Prepares for the Premier Trade Event of 2026
Deep in the sweeping Mendip Hills of Somerset, Fernhill Farm is alive with activity. Infrastructure is going up, plans are locking into place, and anticipation is building by the day. The U.K.’s premier hydroponic trade event is no longer just on the horizon—it’s gathering pace, energy and momentum.
On August 7th, the lights dim and the gates open to a weekend built for connection, innovation, and celebration. From August 8–9, 2026, the industry meets face-to-face for two days of full-throttle networking and knowledge-sharing. The question is simple: will you be there?
The Race Is On
Grow shop bookings open January 1st, welcoming all members of the hydro and horticultural retail trade to apply for entry. Exhibition stand reservations have been running since October, and uptake has been brisk. With only 10 remaining stands, the opportunity for businesses to showcase products, technologies, and ideas is rapidly narrowing.
This is a new kind of gathering — intimate yet ambitious, professional yet relaxed. Those attending won’t be lost in vast anonymous halls or swallowed by sprawling convention centres. Instead, Fernhill Farm becomes a curated marketplace of industry minds and innovations.
What Awaits in Somerset?
Picture the scene: 8 sponsor tipis pitched in two areas,
23 covered exhibitor booths, artisan catering, fire-lit meeting spots, interactive features, games, demonstrations and hands-on displays. The setting is rural and idyllic, but the energy is anything but quiet.
The guest list is intentionally focused — exhibitors, sponsors, retailers, commercial growers and horticultural professionals only. The result? A space where real conversations take place. Business deals grow organically. Ideas are exchanged freely. Networking becomes natural — even enjoyable.
Better still, the entire event is free to attend for registered exhibitors and eligible guests.
Work, Talk, Trade — Then Turn Up the Volume
Once the business is done, the celebration begins. One of Fernhill Farm’s characterful barns transforms into a music hub, complete with live performances and late-night DJs. Expect everything from hearty Cornish shanty tones to full-bodied reggae — and more still to be announced.
This isn’t just an expo. It’s an experience.
UK Hydro Expo
The UK Hydro Show Bristol brings the growers back together – August 7th–9th 2026
“After a three-year gap, the UK’s hydroponic community finally has a place to
reconnect, trade ideas, and celebrate our culture.”
When three seasoned hydroponic professionals with a combined 35 years of Industry experience decided it was time for something new, the result was inevitable — the UK Hydro Show Bristol.
Following the success and eventual conclusion of the Summer Social shows, We saw an opportunity.
After three years without a dedicated UK hydro event, We are bringing the community together again —
this time on a, which also happens to be a beautiful, eco-award-winning festival site in Bristol,which also happens to be a working sheep farm.
What to Expect
From Friday evening, August 7th, until sunday evening, the site will transform into a hydro hub, with :
30+ exhibitor : stands featuring the latest hydroponic tech, nutrients, and lighting.
Grow shop–manufacturer networking : giving retailers the chance to speak directly with distributors.
•Exclusive show-day deals : for those ready to stock up.
Garden Culture Magazine’s Growshop survey : collecting feedback on distributors, brands, and
products.
•Evening barn parties : with a lineup of Live Music & DJs ( to be announced)
Camping, food stalls, live music, to keep the festival vibe alive all weekend.
“It’s more than an industry show — it’s a festival for bringing our community together.”
The Location
The site isn’t just any venue — it’s an operational sheep farm that doubles as a festival ground,
complete with multiple eco awards for sustainability. It’s a setting that feels authentic, green, and
connected to the land — exactly what a modern hydroponic show should be.
Event Snapshot
When: 7 August – Sunday 9 August
Where: Bristol UK (Eco-award-winning festival site)
What: + hydro exhibitors, networking, live music, DJs, camping, and more
Who’s It For : Grow shops, distributors, hydroponic professionals.
“We want to give people more than a show — we want to give them an experience.”
If you’ve been missing the energy, networking, and innovation of the UK’s hydro events, this is your
chance to be part of something special. The UK Hydro Show Bristol is set to be a
highlight of the summer, bringing together the best of business, culture, and community in one unforgettable weekend.
We are hoping to have Seminar's on Saturday afternoon
If you wish to participate, please contact us and we will arrange a slot for you
This can be to talk about your company & products, or about the industry
SPONSORS
Highlight Horticulture
Canna
Growth Technology
Bio Bizz
Easygrow
MM Distribution
Intense Nutrients
Greenbox
British Minerals
Maxibright
Plagron
Erith Horticulture
Terra Aquatica
Hydrogarden
Eden Horticulture
Hydrotops
Credit: The Boiler Room
🌿 UK HydroExpo 2026 – Saturday Programme
🕑 Industry Seminars
2:00pm – 5:00pm
Join leading sponsors and companies for a series of informative and engaging industry seminars.
🎸 Live Music
5:00pm – 9:00pm
Featuring live performances from:
Brad Dear & The March
Louella Jade Eke
Tiger Lilly
🎧 Saturday Night Sessions
From 9:00pm
⭐ DON LETTS DJ SET ⭐
(Legendary DJ and Cultural icon)
DJ Joe Freeze
DJ Brooke Coldwell
From 12-2am
DJ Brooke Coldwell & Guests
DEVELOPED BY DUMASTAR
Don Letts’ reputation has been firmly established in both the film and music world by a substantial body of work from the late 70's through the 80's, 90’s and well into the millennium. His work has been exhibited in The Kitchen N.Y.C, The Institute of Contemporary Art, The N.F.T in London and was honored at Brooklyn’s BAM festival and The Milan Film festival. In March 2003 he won a Grammy for his documentary ‘Westway To The World’.
He came to notoriety in the late 70's as the DJ that single handedly turned a whole generation of punks onto reggae. It was whilst as a d.j at the first punk club 'The Roxy' in 1977, that Don adopted the punk D.I.Y ethic and begun to make his first film 'The Punk Rock Movie'. Shot on Super-8mm it is the only documentary on the U.K punk scene w/ Sex Pistols-The Clash and many others. This led to a period directing over 300 music videos for an eclectic mix of diverse artists ranging from Public Image to Bob Marley. He then moved into documentary work covering the likes of Gil Scot-Heron, The Jam, Sun Ra, George Clinton and most recently Paul McCartney. Dancehall Queen (co-directedby Rick Elgood) shot in location in Jamaica 1997 was his first feature film.
Don continues to D.J nationally and internationally playing strictly old and new school dub reggae. His set is in the spirit of his time as DJ at London’s legendary Roxy club back in ’77.
From the days of Punk Rock to present day Don has always been drawn towards musical projects. After d.j’ing at the Roxy and whilst directing videos for many other acts he created the band Basement Five, released a single with members of John Lydon’s P.I.L, managed the Slits and collaborated with members of Trouble Funk. He recently recorded a reggae version of the London Calling!
In the mid 80's he formed the group 'Big Audio Dynamite' with Mick Jones (ex-Clash). He went on to perform and co-write four albums with B.A.D achieving several hits on both sides of the Atlantic including the top ten hit E=Mc2. The band recently reformed for a world tour to sell out shows and critical acclaim.
In the early nineties Don left B.A.D to form ‘Screaming Target’ their debut performance at The Transmusical Festival in France received rave reviews. They released one critically acclaimed album ‘Hometown Hi-Fi’’.
Don d.j’s nationally and internationally, sets include Glastonbury – Bestival - Lovebox – The Big Chill – Stussy 25th Anniversary - Adidas –- Doctor Martins - Latitude - The Rough Trade 25th Anniversary - Lee Perry’s Meltdown –Rizzla -Island Records 50th anniversary - Massive Attack’s Meltdown – Vintage At Goodwood - Womad and Festival No.6 to name a few. He was recently asked to d.j for both Arcade Fire’s soid out London gigs at The Roundhouse.
Along with collaborations with Dreadzone and remixes for various acts Don has also released several compilation albums:
1996 ‘Time Warp Dub Clash’ (Island Records) a compilation of old and new school dubs.
2002 ‘Dread Meets The Punk Rockers Uptown’ (Heavenly Records) voted one of the top ten compilations by the N.M.E.
2003 ‘Don Letts presents: The Mighty Trojan Sound’ (Sanctuary Records) a critically acclaimed compilation of classic seventies reggae.
2004 ‘Dread Meets B-Boy Downtown’ (Heavenly Records) a compilation of early eighties hip-hop.
2008 ‘Dread Meets Greensleeves: A Westside Revolution’ (Greensleeves Records) compiling late seventies roots to two thousand and eight dancehall.
2015 ‘Dread Meets The Punk Rockers Uptown Volume 2’ a follow up the critically acclaimed first release.
‘Dread Meets Yasushi Ide’: (Japan only) a bass heavy selection from the land of the rising dub.