Hopefully I will get to go to the Chelsea Flower Show this coming May.

Would love to know the most convenient hotels to the show.

Does anyone have a favorite tour package from the states or in London that might include other great gardens in the area?

Do they have carts for transportation for older persons around the show area?

I've tried twice to post this and it stops about 1/2 way through. Will try again.
Did the Flower Show is 2000. We bought our one-day tickets, on the Net, through "firstcalltickets.com", a London Company. Usualy tickets for the general public days are not sold until after members of the Royal Horticultural society have all they want--think i ordered mine around Feb. 1
"Gentle Journeys" is an English company that does various garden tours. They have whole tour packages and also do day-trips to various gardens. We went to Sissinghurst one day, and to a couple of places in the Cotswolds another day. There is another company (think it is Evan Edwards) which does day trips all over the area, too. In fact, it was on one of their busses that we went to the Cotswolds.
If you put in a search on this forum for "Chelsea Flower Show" you will get quite a bit of info. Also if you do an Internet search on English Garden tours, you will also find quite a few ideas.
The Flower Show is in the vicinity of Victoria Station, so there are quite a few hotels in the area.I did not notice if there were carts, but did see many wheelchairs. Hope this info is helpful. MHM

Thanks for the info, I am new to this travel talk site, so I did not do a search first.

I appreciate the leads.

Sloane Square tube station is the closest to the Chelsea flower show which is on the grounds of the Chelsea Royal Hospital. It is about a 15 minute walk from the tube station and there are LOTS of people walking to the flower show. I know there are hotels in the Sloane Square area. We stayed in the So. Kensington area so it was close to that tube station which was one or two stops from Sloane Square. Not at all difficult to do.

As for "carts", I think you mean wheelchairs, and "yes" I saw several people in Carts. But it is very crowded at the show and nobody makes good time getting around. Don't know if the carts are provided by the show or you must bring your own.

We got our tickets through the internet site for the Flower show. I've been twice now--it is fantastic for us garden lovers. Be prepared to spend the whole day there and then hope that you see the whole thing.
There are several tour companies in the US that include the Chelsea show in their two week itinerary.

Thanks for the "Sloane Square area" reference. I am not very brave so I like to be as close to the areas I am visiting as possible.

I will now start looking for hotels in that area. I will forget any on-site transportation and just go slow for any older companions.

Also it was recommended that we take a picnic lunch and just buy our drinks there.

I also checked out the other posts and have some good leads on other gardens to visit on this trip.

Thanks again. I think we will probably do an independent tour unless we can find a terrific, all the extras for a great price tour.

Up until this year (of course) Maupintours did a special Chelsea Flower Show excursion with English gardens. This is the first year they haven't done it in more than 5, darn. Used to have private entrace on the same day the Queen went. Oh well. Wish I knew of a new tour company for you. Have fun, I'm jealous!

I did my first Chelsea with Gentle Journeys but I suspect they are now out of business. Another small group tour company that does Chelsea is BackRoadsTouring and I think Lord Addison does as well. There are many large group tours (40-60 people)of Chelsea. They all include other nearby gardens.

Are you interested in gardens in and around London, or can you go farther afield?

Just a further note about tours that include the Chelsea Flower Show and some of the outstanding gardens in the south of England. Check out Sisley Gardens tours at www.sisley.co.uk. I have not taken their tour (8 days) but have visited most of the gardens that they include. You will have all the garden exposure that your senses can take in.

As for lunch at the flower show--there are plenty of vendors there from sit down restaurants to fish and chip places to champagne bars (very elegant that last one!). The problem will be to find a place to sit to eat whether you bring your lunch or buy it there.

That area is full of hotels within walking distance or a 1 stop tube ride if you aren't up to a 20 or 30 minute walk. Slaone Square Moat House is probably the closest..but anything in the SS area or South Ken, or even parts of Knightsbridge are easy walks.Lots of good restaurants, shops and pubs nearby too.

oceanbreeze, if you check the website for the flower show you will find there is a shuttle bus to/from Victoria Station. It is particularly convenient when leaving when you are most tired.

I haven't been to the Chelsea Flower show in several years;but, remember it as being fabulous but, extremely crowded. I heard that for a 20L fee you could join the Royal Horticulture Society and attend the event earlier in the week when it wouldn't be as crowded. This may have changed since I was there.

It's very easy to join the RHS online for reduced rates and early admission. Go to http://www.rhs.org.uk/ecommerce/(lex...)/default.aspx

. I find that joining various organizations before leaving the US really simplfies admissions. I always keep up my membership in the Royal Oak so I can get free admission in UK to National Trust properties.

Thanks for the great tips.

I went on line to join the RHS but the site registration has a bug and it won't let you advance to complete a registration for family membership.

I had checked out several tours, but most only plan one day at the Chelsea Flower show which seemed not enough.

The hotels, I am working on now. Close,safe and clean are my top two priorities. I have Marriott points but I don't know if a hotel in the Marriott family is available.

I would like to visit some of the notable gardens around London, can even do an overnight, just have to make some choices. I love fragrant, blooming gardens that entice butterflies and birds.

I sincerely appreciate the good info coming in from you who are "in the know." Thanks again.

Also thanks for the info about meals, seems paying more and not having to carry the picnic basket might be worth it.

Just found this while searching for something else.
I assume this person has their tickets, but my one piece of advice is to arrive early! The place gets croweded.