Seedy Sunday returns to the Corn Exchange in Brighton on Sunday 7 February 2027, from 10am to 3pm. The Brighton and Hove Food Partnership, which runs the event, lists the venue as the Corn Exchange on New Road. Brighton Dome describes it as a way to “kickstart the growing season at the city’s biggest gardening event” on its what’s on page.
The Food Partnership’s website says last year’s event was held on the ground floor of Brighton Open Market. It does not say why the venue is changing back for 2027.
The seed swap and stalls
The seed swap table is the centrepiece. Heritage and local seeds are donated and exchanged, and anyone can bring seeds to swap. If you have none, you can choose packets and give a small donation instead.
Stallholders will sell seeds, gardening equipment and other products, and local community groups and volunteers will be on hand to share growing experience. Entry to the main event is by donation on the day, with tickets available on the door, according to Brighton Dome.
Talks at Brighton Dome
A programme of four talks takes place on the same day in the Studio Theatre at Brighton Dome. Brighton Dome lists tickets from £10, with the Derek Gow talk from £12.
Gardening for a Wilder Future. Alys Fowler and Kate Bradbury in conversation.
The Hidden Kingdom. Darren Le Baron explores the links between plants, fungi and people.
The Future is Perennial. Joshua Sparkes talks about resilient food growing.
Bringing Back the Beaver. Derek Gow.
How to bring seeds to swap
The Food Partnership asks for seeds from plants that grow well locally, such as vegetables, flowers, shrubs and herbs, and for healthy, ripe seed and unusual varieties. It does not want F1 hybrids. Label each packet with the name, the variety if there is one, the year and the place the seed was collected.
Taking part
About 40 volunteers help each year. Each gives at least two hours, with roles on the entrance desk, the seed table and the speaker programme, and volunteers get free entry, hot drinks and cake or lunch. Local organisations that want a stall can contact the Food Partnership, which says it books limited information, food and sales spaces from late autumn. You can call the Food Partnership on 01273 234810.
The Food Partnership was founded by local residents in 2003. Infinity Foods is the main sponsor of Seedy Sunday, and the Food Partnership says the event is attended by more than 2,000 local people each year.
How Seedy Sunday began
According to the Food Partnership, Seedy Sunday began in 2001, when two members of the Brighton and Hove Organic Gardening Group saw a seed swap in Vancouver, Canada. The first UK seed swap took place at St George’s Hall in Kemptown in February 2002. The event has since grown to include talks, demonstrations, a café, children’s activities and a market with more than 50 stalls.
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