My Top Tips for Visiting the World-Class Flower Show

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been on my list of events to attend for so many years!  This year my husband and I attended, and we had the most fabulous day.

We made it!

Here are my top tips on how to get the most out of your day at the Chelsea Flower Show.

• Become a member of the RHS.  Book your ticket online before they run out!
• Book a hotel near the flower show so it’s close to get there and return after a long day’s walking.
• Pack wisely! It’s a long day out, so make sure you pack according to the weather.Comfortable shoes (I mean it – as much as I love heels and unless you’re 18, forget it, there’s acres to walk around!) A hat, sun cream, Water, a Credit card – the shopping is amazing!

Don’t forget your hat for the Chelsea Flower Show!

• If you live out of town, head down to London the day before. We were lucky enough to travel down with Greater Anglia  the day it launched the new Norwich in 90 minutes train! Going the day before gives you the opportunity to see ‘Chelsea In Bloom’ the areas annual famed floral Art show where all the shops, restaurants and hotels adorn their exteriors with flowers.   This year’s theme is Under The Sea in partnership with the charity Plastic Oceans UK.  It’s a visual sensation!

• Research and make a list of the gardens, floral displays, plants, designers and shops you most want to see before you go on the RHS website.  The gardens I really wanted to see was the D-Day 75 Garden which was incredible and a privilege to view.

• Get there early! The doors open to the public at 8am.  Aim to arrive as soon as you can from 7.30am to beat the queues into the show and head to the most likely busier show gardens.  This year the busiest was the RHS Back to Nature Garden, co-created by HRH Duchess of Cambridge with Andree Davies and Adam White.
• Take some time out at the Grandstand where you can relax, listen to live music and find lots of food and drink areas.
• Head to the Warners Gin stand (one of the best garden stands there) where you can relax in their farm yard garden while sipping their latest HoneyBee Gin – delicious!
• There are a lot of TV cameras, so the busy areas can be around them – steer away if you want to or hand around and you could be part of the audience!

• If you’re celebrating a special occasion or would like to entertain clients, check out Raymond Blanc’s hospitality packages ‘Jardin Blanc.
• The Great Pavilion is vast with thousands of plants and flowers, each timed to reach the peak of perfection in the Chelsea Flower show week. This part of the show is not to be missed!

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  South Africa’s Kirstenbosch display

  

  Welcome to Yorkshire Garden

  

  Primrose Hall Peonies

  
  

I love Andy’s Air plants!

• Head to the Rose & Crown pub in Chelsea on Lower Sloane Street after the show where you may be able to spot some of the Chelsea Flower Show garden designers, celebrities and BBC TV presenters.
• Book a nice restaurant with an outdoor garden for after the show and relax!

For more information about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show click here.