Discover the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Located just a short distance from the Belgrave, this popular show will be full of enthusiasts and designers from all over the UK to celebrate all things gardens, flowers and plants, as well as showcasing new scientific discoveries around climate change.

Taking place from 19–23 May 2026, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a very popular event and it is likely to sell out, so be sure to book your tickets in advance. RHS members can enjoy reduced ticket rates; visit the RHS website for more details.

There are many sites to see at the event including the show gardens, shopping concourse, the gallery of floral art, The Great Pavillion and Houseplant studio. If you only have a limited amount of time, we’ve got you covered so you can see the very best of what’s on show and what to do while you’re there.

Getting there

Travel to the flower show from Pimlico on the tube using the District or Circle Lines and get off at Sloane Square. At Sloane Square, you’ll see some amazing, vibrant floral displays that decorate the shop fronts on your route to the flower show entrance. There are also shuttle buses available from Battersea Park – check out the RHS website for full details of how to get there.

Get inspired by the Show Gardens

Start your day early by spending the morning being wowed by the Show Gardens. Built from scratch in just three weeks, each garden has been engineered to not only look beautiful, but also to evoke a deeper message behind the design, with many gardens sponsored by charities to create awareness for causes, such as Parkinson’s UK. Here are some our favourite gardens we are looking forward to seeing at this year’s show:

Parkinson’s UK – A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey

Designed by Arit Anderson, this garden is designed as a sanctuary for people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones that are navigating this complex neurological condition. The inspiration for the garden came from watching workshops for gardeners living with Parkinson’s. 

The garden is divided into three zones, which represent uplift and energise, calm and restful, and night time. Each zone uses selective colour and texture to reflect symptoms and provide comfort during outpatient visits. Some of the plants are scentless, as loss of smell is an early symptom of Parkinson’s and the movement and sound of the water features have been designed to assist with “freezing”, another common symptom. 

Once the show is complete, this garden will be recreated at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, a UK Parkinson’s Centre of Excellence, in order for the Parkinson’s community to continue to enjoy the benefits of this incredible sensory space.

Tokonoma Garden – Samumaya no Niwa

This seasonally inspired garden celebrates harmony, family bonds, and community spirit within this nostalgic Japanese courtyard. While you cannot enter the room itself, you can admire the beautiful planting scheme which features iris, ferns alongside stone and water to evoke the view from a small tea room and appreciate traditional beauty.

The theme of harmony and connection has been inspired by the designer and his memories of the Sanumaya drapery store which is where his family gathered for celebrations, family meals and hospitality to others. The Tokonama is now a rare sight for many Japanese homes, and Ishihara wanted to reimagine it for modern times.

The main feature of the room is not open to the public, but even standing outside it you can experience the tranquility that such rooms would have provided for families in years gone by. Pass through the ornate garden gate to feel like you’re entering a secret special place and take in the beautiful gardens that are hidden beyond.

Discover more about the designers behind the gardens here or by watching this video:

Shopping at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

After an inspirational morning exploring the show gardens, stroll along to the tradestands located along Main Avenue. Hand-picked by the RHS for their quality and innovation, these trade stands feature artisan crafts, luxury lifestyle products as well as exclusive launches where brands debut their new product lines.

Discovery Zone in the Great Pavilion

If plant speciality is more your forte, head to The Great Pavillion to meet specialist nurseries to find the perfect plant for your garden. Roughly the size of two and a half football pitches, this Pavilion serves as the centrepiece for a major floral installation. You will be blown away by the sheer amount of plant species on display by each nursery, including a major National Collection of Wisteria, which is returning after 15 years.

Food at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

You will soon be feeling hungry after a busy morning of walking and shopping. There are an array of different dining options available. If you want a quick bite to eat, enjoy delicious street food or cafes. If you are interested in fine dining, book a table at one of the many restaurants – The Ranelagh Restaurant, The Sloane Restaurant or The Promenade at RHS Chelsea Flower Show by The Dorchester.

If you know you’ll be too busy checking out the delightful gardens or you’d prefer to bring your own food, you can bring a picnic and enjoy it at one of the seating areas dotted throughout the show.

Houseplant Studios

The Houseplant Studios are gardens that all feature houseplants. There are 6 gardens to look around and experience, each with their own unique theme but they all provide visitors with the inspiration needed to create their own green paradise at home.

Definitely take in the Hanging Gardens of Botanica which has 12 vertical gardens suspended in terracotta pots, representing the water cycle. This garden provides an important message about how we can conserve water and the role that plants play in the water cycle. You may also get tips on how to harvest rainwater to keep your own houseplants thriving. 

The Heliotropic Carousel garden is a space that is whatever the viewer needs; it can be a tranquil place to drink a morning cup of coffee, a place to read or meditate quietly or even work with the plants acting like a calming sanctuary and giving people the breathing space they require. The plants are rotating in order to maximise or reduce their sun exposure depending on what they need.

Things to remember

These are some helpful hints and tips to allow you to make the most out of your day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. 

• There is no dress code, but sturdy, comfortable shoes are definitely a good idea.
• It may be warm and sunny, so remember your suncream! 
• There are refillable water bottle stations around the flower show so you can fill your bottle as often as you need to. 
• Pack a light tote bag for any purchases you make, it’ll leave your hands free to buy more things! 
• Children under 5 are not permitted. Babes in arms are allowed but the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is not suitable for buggies or prams. Children over 5 need a valid ticket. 
• Don’t forget that if you leave the show, you are not allowed re-entry, so make sure you’re really done before you leave.