The Chelsea Flower Show is much more than a stunning annual celebration of all things horticulture, it’s a botanical extravaganza.
Showcasing the best in garden design and boasting stunning displays of thousands of different plant and flower species, this is the ultimate event for green thumbs and the demand for tickets is always high.
Held every May since 1912 and hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society, the five-day show held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea attracts over 150,000 visitors from around the world and is attended by members of the British royal family.
The centrepiece is the Great Pavilion, a covered space featuring beautiful roses, begonias and delphiniums. Celebrating all things floral, the rose displays are spectacular. Don’t miss Peter Beales Roses marking their golden anniversary show appearance with the launch of a new rose in 2018.
From award-winning landscapers to talented designers from the world over, it’s the outdoor gardens that steal the show.
Visitors can enjoy 27 different exhibits including the tranquil O-Mo-Te-Na-Shi Japanese Garden, and the Wuhan Water Garden.
Stroll along the main avenue while admiring 10 different show gardens. Stand-outs include an 18th Century English tea garden, Mediterranean landscapes and an urban twist, with city apartment garden ideas.
The popular Artisan Gardens use a combination of traditional materials and methods, with unique design elements from the rustic to the modern.
The Chelsea Late is an intimate evening show in the Ranelagh Gardens, opening at 8pm when the main gates close for the day. It’s an evening of flowers, jazz and soul music, with over one half of the showground open for exploration without the crowds.
Once outside the show grounds, soak in the floral atmosphere in the surrounding Chelsea streets with Chelsea in Bloom. Over 50 shops, boutiques, restaurants and hotels take part, with daily activities and inventive window displays in which to browse. Follow the flowers along Sloane Street, Sloane Square, King’s Road, Duke of York Square and Pavillion Road.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BACK-ROADS TOURING
- What to expect when travelling with Back-Roads
- Britain’s great garden tours
- What to expect on a small-group tour
Visit the Chelsea Flower Show with Back-Roads Touring
Stop to smell the roses on this leisurely tour of Southeast England’s greatest gardens and show-stealing stately homes, including tickets to the botanical event of the year, the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show.
Back-Roads Touring is a world leader in small-group tours, with a maximum of 18 guests on every tour. True to its name, Back Roads avoids freeways and congested toll-ways by sticking to scenic country routes and waterways.
Each tour is matched with an expert guide, with tours accessing locations not usually available to the larger coach tour vehicles, allowing guests to really experience small towns and villages like a local.
Chelsea Flower Show Tour Inclusions:
- 6 nights in hand-picked boutique accommodation
- Experienced Back-Roads Driver/Tour Leader
- Comfortable mini-coach transportation
- Daily Full English breakfasts (B), 3 evening meals (D)
- Entrance included to Ightham Mote, Scotney Castle, Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, Hever Castle, RHS Garden Wisley, Savill Garden, Waddesdon Manor, Great Dixter, Cliveden & Kew Gardens.
DAY 1 LONDON – IGHTHAM MOTE – SCOTNEY CASTLE – TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Your tour of England’s green and pleasant land begins at one of the most unique manor houses in the region. Ightham Mote dates back over 700 years and can only be reached by crossing an ancient stone bridge that stretches over its very own moat.
Your next iconic stop transports us to Scotney Castle before we end the action-packed day in Tunbridge Wells, where you will enjoy a welcome dinner. (D)
Accommodation: (Tunbridge Wells Du Vin)
DAY 2 TUNBRIDGE WELLS – SISSINGHURST CASTLE – GREAT DIXTER – TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Sissinghurst Castle Gardens is renowned for its romantic design and colourful rose arrangements. Next, swap architectural layouts for a naturalistic approach to planting at Great Dixter. You will tour the old, timber-framed house that was home to British gardening royalty, Christopher Lloyd and explore the gardens that were his pride and joy. (B)
Accommodation: (Tunbridge Wells Du Vin)
DAY 3 TUNBRIDGE WELLS – HEVER CASTLE – RHS GARDEN WISLEY – WINDSOR
Venture to Hever Castle with its award-winning gardens where you will discover the castle that was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second Queen.
Then it’s time to enjoy the afternoon among the tranquil surrounds of RHS Garden Wisley. Take in the sounds of water flowing through the rock garden, or relax in the Alpine meadow, before continuing on to Windsor. (B,D)
Accommodation: (Sir Christopher Wren)
DAY 4 WINDSOR – THE SAVILL GARDEN – WINDSOR
What better way to spend the day than discovering Windsor’s regal highlights and visiting The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park. Look out for an array of rare plants from around the world as you walk through its themed gardens that showcase the beauty of the seasons. (B)
Accommodation: (Sir Christopher Wren)
DAY 5 WINDSOR – WADDESDON MANOR – CLIVEDEN – LONDON
Swap English country houses for an elegant French château at Waddesdon Manor. Next, marvel at the grand designs at Cliveden. With colourful gardens for every season and glorious views over the River Thames, this truly is something special. Then head on to London, and look forward to the excitement of the last days to come. (B)
Accommodation: (Petersham Hotel)
DAY 6 LONDON – CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW – LONDON
The highlight of your adventure, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is yours to enjoy for a full day. From gardens designed to conjure up a slice of anywhere from Provence to Japan, to urban patches with remarkable water features, this is the place to see the very best of contemporary garden design. To round off the day, sit down together for a farewell dinner. (B,D)
Accommodation: (Petersham Hotel)
DAY 7 LONDON – KEW GARDENS – LONDON
Your last day dawns, but there are still one or two natural treasures to explore before you say goodbye. For a finishing touch, visit the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. The palm house, a jaw-dropping example of Victorian engineering, is sure to add a final flourish to that holiday photo album. (B)
