WOWED BY THE AMAZING GARDENS.
Every year in May the worlds gardening elite descend on Chelsea’s Royal Hospital grounds for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The show never fails to amaze and delighted the crowds, it is the ideal place to experience a slice of this traditional yet refined British past time.
For those that have been living under a rock for the last 100 years, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a celebration of all things related to horticulture. Unless you’re one of the lucky ones that have been invited by clients, the day tickets start from £100 per person but are well worth it.
Be prepared to be wowed by the amazing gardens on show, ranging from the larger with the extreme budgets to the much smaller specialist gardens. These present both garden planting concepts as well as incredible vegetable plots.
If it all becomes too overwhelming don’t fret, there are tantalising refreshments at every corner. These include the quintessential Pimm’s stalls, Italian ice creams, and Fortnum & Mason’s bar (highly recommended). As well as The Rock Bank and Champagne & Seafood restaurants, Caviar bar and Dorchester’s drawing room for those looking for something a little more substantial.
The main tent contains a mix of some of the finest examples of plants from the exotics (my personal favourites) to utterly beautiful flowers. With each stall, you’ll find the proud and often exhausted cultivator keen to offer further interesting insights and opinions.
If you are a keen gardener this is also a great place to pick up an array of both plants and sculptures, or even sign up to have an outdoor kitchen installed so that you too can replicate the same opulence in your own garden.
I highly recommend this day out and would suggest going on a late afternoon during the week to benefit from fewer crowds and the calming sun.
London Gate, Royal Hospital Road, Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, SW3 4SR
Rhs.org.uk
Nearest Tube Station: Sloane Square
Article By: Patrick Anderson
