What to do at Chelsea Flower Show today

You’ve seen the Show Gardens, what next? Here we round up five things to do each day at Chelsea Flower Show

By Daisy Bowie-Sell

Published: Monday, 22 May 2023 at 12:00 am

RHS Chelsea Flower Show is here and it’s a gloriously sunny week to boot. With beautiful gardens designed by some of the world’s greatest garden designers, and plants grown by expert growers, there’s a lot to enjoy. But apart from trailing up and down past the Show Gardens on Main Avenue and beyond, there are plenty of other delights to enjoy at Chelsea Flower Show. From exhibitions, to demonstrations and buying plants, here are seven things to do at Chelsea Flower Show today.

Seven things to do at Chelsea Flower Show today

Marvel at the Royal Entrance floral display

"Lucy
Lucy Vail’s floral display at the Chelsea entrance

As usual, there are plenty of flowers to see everywhere you look at the Chelsea Flower show, which can mean some things all blend into one. We’d suggest keeping an eye open as you come into the show ground itself this year, as the Royal Entrance, which will see about 168,000 people walk through, is designed by British  floral designer Lucy Vail, the youngest ever florist to create the Royal Entrance floral archway. Its filled with British grown plants sourced from sustainable growers.

Listen to music at the Bandstand

"Musicians
Musicians at last year’s Chelsea Flower Show

The Bandstand is at the heart of the show and offers a brilliant line up of music every day throughout the week. Don’t miss The Brass Funkeys on Wednesday from 5pm, and head here for more information. 

Traditional tea at the Dorchester

"Afternoon
© Getty

There are lots of very tasty places to eat and drink all over Chelsea Flower Show this year, including the Ranelagh Restuarant for brunch and lunch options, The Champagne and Seafood Restaurant and the Rock Bank Food Court. But a visit to The Drawing Room by The Dorchester, which is inside North Ranelagh Restaurant, will be an absolute treat. There’s a twist on the traditional afternoon tea at Chelsea, as you can expect floral cocktails too.

Come and visit us on the Gardens Illustrated stand

"Gardens
Gardens Illustrated stand at Chelsea Flower Show

We have lots of goodies on offer at our stand on Eastern Avenue, as well as a very juicy membership offer, available at Chelsea Flower Show this year. Head to see us for a chat, a magazine and a lots more. Here’s more on what you can expect.

Don’t miss RHS Chelsea Florist of the year competition

"Exhibitor
Exhibitor Siyuan Ren poses on the Peony Girl exhibition in 2022
© RHS / Luke MacGregor

Do the delights of the Great Pavilion never end? There is a lot to enjoy within the pavilion, but you must keep an eye out for the RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year competition. Floral bins and lampposts have been given proper makeovers by some of the nations top florists.

Celebrate unsung heroines of horticulture

 

The Monument in the Great Pavilion is also a hot spot of intriguing history. An exhibition dedicated to the unsung heroines of horticulture. It’s a celebration of some of the women who battled against cultural norms and discrimination and made remarkable contributions to our understanding of plants.

Shop!

"Shopping
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There are so many great stands and stalls at Chelsea, it would be criminal to go away empty handed. The shopping opportunities offer some of the most exciting products around, some botanical-themed, some just lovely. Spend time wandering the avenues for that thing you’ve always wanted.

 

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