2011 Chelsea Flower Show
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2011 Chelsea Flower Show
My wife and I will be in London in May and we're planning to go to the Chelsea Flower Show. I've bought a membership in the RHS, but I was wondering if you all might be able to tell me which day would be best to attend. I expect it to be crowded and we'll plan to go early. Is there a day when the royals visit? Should we make reservations to eat? Any tips would be appreciated!
(I've search the earlier threads on this and couldn't find current information.)
Thank you!
Eeyann's Husband
(I've search the earlier threads on this and couldn't find current information.)
Thank you!
Eeyann's Husband
#2
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My recollection is that we purchased a membership, and then tickets for members, and went on members' day--and it was very crowded. I can't imagine what it would be like when the general public can come in.
#3
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Crowded, according to my wife, but well worth it.
I would also suggest getting in touch with the Museum of Garden History in Lambeth (Google them) to inquire about their tours of open gardens in London during Chelsea.
We took the South of the Thames tour one year and saw wonderful gardens of all sorts, from classic English borders to a California xeriscape to an ultra-modern house and garden hidden behind a wall in a former orchard. These are part of the national open gardens program. I don't even care much about gardens, but I would go again in a minute. You ride a bus, it takes all day (maybe 9 to 4) and you have a delicious box lunch in someone's garden on the way.
By the way, congratulations on being a member of the RHS. Their magazine is wonderful, better I think than anything we get here in the US, and you should certainly try to visit Wisley, though traffic noise from the motorway is somewhat disconcerting in otherwise idyllic settings.
I would also suggest getting in touch with the Museum of Garden History in Lambeth (Google them) to inquire about their tours of open gardens in London during Chelsea.
We took the South of the Thames tour one year and saw wonderful gardens of all sorts, from classic English borders to a California xeriscape to an ultra-modern house and garden hidden behind a wall in a former orchard. These are part of the national open gardens program. I don't even care much about gardens, but I would go again in a minute. You ride a bus, it takes all day (maybe 9 to 4) and you have a delicious box lunch in someone's garden on the way.
By the way, congratulations on being a member of the RHS. Their magazine is wonderful, better I think than anything we get here in the US, and you should certainly try to visit Wisley, though traffic noise from the motorway is somewhat disconcerting in otherwise idyllic settings.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://www.chelseaflowershow.moonfruit.com/
24-28 May 2011 Now over 5 days with first2 days open to RHS members only. Last year I went on a day open to the general public. It was crowded but not impossibly so. I coped well & I hate crowds.
24-28 May 2011 Now over 5 days with first2 days open to RHS members only. Last year I went on a day open to the general public. It was crowded but not impossibly so. I coped well & I hate crowds.
#5
Both Member days will be very crowded -- but not a fraction of the numbers on the public days. bellini must have been very lucky -- I last attended in 2009 and the only time I could attend was on a public day (I usually go on a member day). It was absolutely packed to the gills, restaurants ran out of food, and getting close to the feature gardens was very difficult.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,922
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If previous years are anything to go by, there will be plenty of TV coverage, both during the days and in the evenings. Not exactly the same thing, but you get a privileged view of the details of garden designs and so on.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/chelsea/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/chelsea/
#7
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,420
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Go Day 1, arrive before the offical opening (there will be a line! Think Disney for flowers) Grab a guide and get to the big show gardens FIRST. WE did this both times and got some great viewing etc.. by mid morning you couldn't get near some of them.
I admit that I was dragged to this the first time... and wound up spending 8 hours there and organized a return trip. It's AMAZING!
The second year we went it was unseasonable hot and by day 2 of member days things were "wilting"
Wear comfortable shoes, take an empty memory card and have a great time. Have some PIMS for me! We just grabbed some sandwiches and PIMS and sat and watch a miltary band performance on the lawn for lunch.
I admit that I was dragged to this the first time... and wound up spending 8 hours there and organized a return trip. It's AMAZING!
The second year we went it was unseasonable hot and by day 2 of member days things were "wilting"
Wear comfortable shoes, take an empty memory card and have a great time. Have some PIMS for me! We just grabbed some sandwiches and PIMS and sat and watch a miltary band performance on the lawn for lunch.
#10
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,420
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Forgot one other thing..
The second time we were there they told us if we kept our tickets we could come back for the sell off. The sell off is great fun even if, as Americans, you can't bring live pants home. I loved watching folks loading trees onto the tube/bus... We got a couple of Pimms and settled in to watch the fun!
The second time we were there they told us if we kept our tickets we could come back for the sell off. The sell off is great fun even if, as Americans, you can't bring live pants home. I loved watching folks loading trees onto the tube/bus... We got a couple of Pimms and settled in to watch the fun!
#11
here's the official link for buying the tickets:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/R...w/2011/Tickets
the day-time tickets for the members only tuesday have already gone, so you'd better get your skates on if you want tickets for the wednesday [the other members only day]
royals there on Monday I think
take your most comfortable shoes, a hat, an umbrella, and lots of dosh!
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/R...w/2011/Tickets
the day-time tickets for the members only tuesday have already gone, so you'd better get your skates on if you want tickets for the wednesday [the other members only day]
royals there on Monday I think
take your most comfortable shoes, a hat, an umbrella, and lots of dosh!
#12
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Go on members' day and arrive even before the stated time of opening. We did that and it was very pleasant for the first couple of hours. By noon, it was practically impossible to move around but we had pretty much covered the flower show by then.
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for all the excellent information! I'm going to go ahead and buy Member tickets for Wednesday and get there early!
I really appreciate getting the benefit of all your experiences!
Sincerely,
Eeyann's husband
I really appreciate getting the benefit of all your experiences!
Sincerely,
Eeyann's husband
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Neal_Sanders
United States
11
Mar 18th, 2008 10:11 AM
Neal_Sanders
Europe
17
Jun 4th, 2004 12:35 PM