Chelsea Garden Show

It does get very crowded all through the week. I have been once and vowed not to go again because of the crowds and the fact that I found it more about being seen and about garden design rather than gardening per se.

But I will be breaking my promise and going this year, probably for 3 days as I will be helping out with a charity I am associated with that has a garden design!

It’s crowded. I love it. I’ve been several times. I have a couple of suggestions

If you can be there during member days, you can join the RHS and buy a member day ticket. We went the first time and the second time on the first member day. The flowers are fresh, it is crowded, but we were literally there at opening. I told my mother we were treating it like Disney with flowers you need to be in line before opening and you need to go straight to the show gardens. We did that both times - it was great, and then we spent the rest of the day during the rest of place. I planned to stay about four hours the first time I stayed seven, the next time I stayed at eight. It’s been great.

If you are there the last day, do not leave before the selloff and then get yourself a drink, sit on the hill and watch the entertainment. It’s amazing to watch. People carry trees onto the tube and bases - great fun, there’s a pub not far from there where you can go sit if you don’t have a ticket and watch people show up with their treasures. Last year I was only able to go on the last day and my plane was late so I wound up not even getting there till around lunch and I still had a wonderful time and there were some great bargains. I bought some beautiful items for next to nothing because the vendors are marking them down. ( not plants cause you can’t bring plants home but I’ve got some tea towels and some coffee cups etc. it was nice.)

This thing is so much bigger than you really realize. Realize you’re probably not going to see it all and just soak it in. I can’t explain it but I love it and if I was there again at the right time I would definitely go. Yes it’s crowded but it’s not crowded with American tourist. It’s crowded with gardening fans, which makes it loads of fun.

They also have entertainment it’s just an entire festival. The soldiers in the hospital are out in their uniforms. It’s an event.

And let me point out, I am not a gardener.

Tickets sell out well in advance. Crowding is indeed severe. You may have to look for a hotel room packaged with a ticket, or raise your budget substantially. I like Flower Shows, so I had to go, and I could live with it. I paid well over $200 for a preview day, where attendance was 101% anyway. Holographic ticket mailed to US in advance.

Edit:
I was glad that I went with my wife, because she could patrol the (cafeteria-style) informal eating area for two empty chairs while I waiting in a long line to buy some lunch. Likewise, you had to wait in a line to walk in front of the indoor booths - I mean like a Dahlia grower or other specialist who bought space in the huge indoor exhibition.

This won't be familiar unless you have been to the Philadelphia Flower Show, where "exhibitors" are prohibited from writing up even future-business at their display. (I'm not talking about the "Sales Area".) At Chelsea, if you admire something, the exhibitor will reach under the draped counter and offer one of them to you for immediate sale.

Not a slam, just replying to your inquiry.

The Public can buy tickets right now for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Member tickets are sold out on the first day but do look like they’re available on the second day. But it seems like they may be releasing some more member tickets because it says to check back after April 1 so if you’re interested in one of those days, you might want to check next week.

The afternoon half-day tickets are sold out. But honestly I would get there in the morning. if you get there early when it opens at 8 AM it’s not as crowded as it is going to be in the afternoon based on my experience .

In the past I’ve also received the mail tickets but last year it was an email with a barcode. They didn’t mail me the ticket.

One year I actually bought tickets for the last day at the gate. So tickets become available. I just decided to walk over there and ask if I could buy a ticket and I could (it was about 100 pounds). It is not a cheap event but it’s just a lot of fun. I know other people hate it so you know it’s not for everyone.

Looking at the tickets makes me want to go but I know there’s no way I can go to London in May this year I’ve got too many work projects- maybe 2025

They’re usually videos on YouTube from where the local media that’s involved does shows every day which give you an idea of what’s going on crowding, etc.

I wouldn't describe crowding as anywhere near severe. It's certainly busy, but well managed and still fun to do. As Carol advises, enjoy the atmosphere itself, and go on a members day if you can - these are definitely quieter. It's great fun.

We have been several times and it is fantastic. I do not like crowds but I truly have no recollection of the numbers of people…and there were a lot. I only remember having a wonderful time. Hope you enjoy your visit too if you choose to attend. Safe travels.