London events,
April 30 2024
At the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Chelsea and Bloom, you step into gardening paradise. These highlights of the horticultural calendar attract visitors from all over the world and often a royal or two as well. So shake off the winter blues as we dig up all you need to know in our guide to Chelsea Flower Show and Chelsea in Bloom.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show showcases the finest in garden design, landscaping, floral displays and horticulture. This gorgeous event blooms every spring in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, and is one of the most esteemed gardening shows in the world. Royalty and celebrities join gardening fans to wander through the gorgeous gardens and take in the impressive plants and flowers. Often, new plant varieties and gardening trends appear here for the first time.
If you’d like to go, then you need to get your Chelsea Flower Show tickets early because they sell out. If you’re a member of the Royal Horticultural Society, you can take advantage of members-only days and discount prices on tickets. The show is also open to the public, with ticket prices starting at under £50 each. There are also special events, and you can buy tickets that include lunch and afternoon tea.
Prepare to be dazzled by displays of horticultural excellence and creative garden design. There’s often a theme to the Chelsea Flower Show, with sustainability and the environment a common theme in recent years. Pick up new gardening ideas, spot current trends and discover new plant varieties. It’s a sensory delight, full of colour and fragrance, with plenty of opportunities to buy tools, souvenirs and seeds.
Once you’ve booked your ticket, make a plan. Prepare to move at a glacial pace through the most popular gardens – and wear comfortable shoes, even if the celebrities are donning heels. It’s worth knowing there’s often a bit of a lull between 3pm and 4pm, so if you have a full-day ticket, this is a good time to head to the popular award-winning garden displays. Here are some common questions and answers to help you plan your day.
While there’s no official dress code for the Chelsea Flower Show, many visitors dress to impress, with smart-casual clothing. Don’t forget waterproofs in case the weather changes.
Prepare to spend around six or seven hours checking out all the stalls, gardens, displays and marquees at the Chelsea Flower Show.
The nearest is Sloane Square tube station (District and Circle line), and from here it’s just a 10-minute walk to the showground.
The ground is 11-acres, with a huge marquee in the centre covering close to 3 acres.
If you’re an RHS member, member days are quieter than public days. If you’re not a member, then choose a midweek day rather than the weekend.
If you plan on driving, pre-book parking at Battersea Park. It’s a 20-minute walk to the showground or there are park-and-ride shuttle buses. By train, the nearest station is London Victoria. Several buses stop close to the showground and Sloane Square. Visit the Chelsea Flower show website Plan Your Visit page for more information.
Another fantastic spring event in Chelsea at the same time as the Chelsea Flower Show is Chelsea in Bloom. This free spring festival is a floral art show and is the perfect place to visit if you missed out on Chelsea Flower Show tickets this year. Chelsea’s streets transform into a flower-filled feast for the senses as storefronts, restaurants and businesses compete to bring you the most creative floral displays.
For a bloomin’ good time in London, plan a trip in May and stay at one of our Thistle Hotels to make the most of your Chelsea Flower Show and Chelsea in Bloom experience. Thistle Bloomsbury Park, Thistle Marble Arch, Thistle Hyde Park Lancaster Gate and Thistle Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are all great places to stay and visit London’s green spaces in flower too.
