Found out through our booked B and B that we will be in London during the Chelsea Garden Show. She says it is extremely popular and a busy time. Oh well...we cannot change the dates we will be in London.
So, my question is this: for those of you that have been there, do you think it was a worthwhile time spent? For context, we did enjoy Kuekenhof near Amsterdam but I am unsure if we want to give up valuable touring time in London for this. We have been to London before but this time we will only have 4 full days.
Any thoughts? How fabulous is it? Is it more for people that live there and can purchase plants, etc?
Thanks
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4891 posts
Depends. Just how rabid a gardener are you? Are visiting famous gardens the high point of your trips? Do cutting edge garden designs make your heart skip a beat? Are you always looking for new plant combinations to complement your own garden? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then a day spent at the Flower and Garden show may well be for you. Yes, it can definitely take the better part of a day. I was there from opening until late afternoon, only leaving because I had theatre tickets that night. As for being busy- yes, the show grounds are very busy, but the show has no impact on the rest of the city.
If you are seriously interested, don't delay in buying your advance tickets. After all, it's probably the most famous garden show in the world.
Posted by
Land of La
8688 posts
https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show
https://www.robertkennett.co.uk/articles/chelsea-flower-show-review
On a personal note I never tire of London. Been visiting since 1972. Last trip 2022 for Wimbledon. I’m biased so I’d continue to explore London neighborhoods and sites.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7327 posts
Karen, have you been to the Philadelphia Flower Show, Huntington Gardens, Longwood Gardens, or Fairchild Tropical Gardens? Of course there are others in the US. I might say that the Chelsea show is fiercely crowded, like the Philly show. It is not exactly "relaxing." But we would not have missed it!
Posted by
Cornwall
332 posts
There will be a lot of quite drunk middle aged middle class ladies but if that’s your thing…
It’s the Chelsea Flower Show btw.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32825 posts
There will be a lot of quite drunk middle aged middle class ladies but if that’s your thing
we must have been there at a different time - never saw any of that
Posted by
Preston UK
891 posts
For me it's a place to be seen rather than to see. As a keen gardener I went once but have vowed never again. There are many better flower shows across the land.
Posted by
OP
173 posts
Thanks for your replies. I think we will skip it this go around...so many other things to do in London!
Posted by
Cornwall
332 posts
we must have been there at a different time - never saw any of that
The drink tends to kick in when they are on the train home from Paddington in my experience.
Posted by
Atlanta
972 posts
I've been once about 10 years ago. Loved it so much I'm taking three friends to see it this May.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2026 posts
We have been twice and it was a trip highlight both times. Don’t recall any drunks frankly. But also where I first met mushy peas so maybe I was too dazzled to notice. We ordered tickets in advance. Safe travels.