Chelsea Flower Show
 

Has anyone ever attended the Chelsea Flower show? I have heard women wear fancy clothes and hats. I would prefer to be casual. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

yes, millions of people have attended Chelsea.<BR><BR>Where did you get the idea you need to dress up? On the day the Queen attends, some attendees do dress up, but you aren't a member of the RHS so you can't go that day anyway.<BR><BR>The judges and media presenters dress up but for everyone else it is a &quot;casual&quot; (Not sloppy, beach type clothing) event.<BR><BR>For most folks, any hats are either rain hats or sun hats.

You might check:<BR><BR>www.rhs.org.uk/Chelsea/index2002.asp<BR><BR>Enjoy<BR><BR>Vita Sackville-West

My sister and I went to the Chelsea Flower Show last spring. I joined the RHS so we went on a member day, but not the opening day that the Queen goes to. Nobody was particularly dressed up. We went in khakis and blended right in. The RHS general membership is mostly people who like to play in the dirt so I wouldn't worry too much about how you are dressed. The show was awesome, by the way. You will love it if you are into gardening in a big way.

Thanks, Amber for this question -- we will be attending this year. And, like Carla, I am a member &amp; will be going on a member-only day. Never even thought to ask what people wear, just planned on wearing my usual neat casual &quot;tourist&quot; dress (no pink LOL). Carla, could you pass on any additional tips for those of us attending our 1st Chelsea show? Will lines waiting to get in be extremely long? Know it will be crowded. Are maps handed out or must one buy a program -- which I most likely will anyway as a souvenier. Any info that will make the day extra special welcome. Thanks

Two years ago we attended the show with tickets we purchased on the web. Our tickets were for the afternoon only because we arrived from Boston in the morning and it was the only opportunity we had to go.<BR><BR>We had to exchange our &quot;tickets&quot; for real tickets to get in and it was a VERY long line. I don't recall much of a wait after that but it was extremely crowded. I don't recall much seating tho there are restaurants so expect lots of time on your feet.<BR><BR>My advice is to get there as early in the day as possible, wear the most comfortable shoes you have and be prepared with a hat, rain or sun, since much of the show is outdoors.<BR><BR>If you have a little time you might wish to visit the Museum of Garden History near Lambeth Bridge where I'm buried with my son and Admiral Bligh.<BR><BR>John Tradescant<BR>

We ordered our tickets from the RHS website, so we didn't have to wait in line when we got there. It is PACKED! The show gardens are the big thing and it was difficult to get close enough to see the more popular ones. You have to buy the program. I don't remember how much they cost, I think about 5 GBP. If you can bring your own food I would recommend it. There are food tents, but they were very crowded, expensive and the food wasn't anything great. I think you could have a more elegant eating experience with reservations, but we didn't do that. Despite the crowds it was a wonderful experience. The exhibition halls were full of every kind of flower in every color. It was mindboggling! The bad news is, you can't bring any of the plants home with you because of agricultural laws, but if you are a very dedicated gardener, you can buy seeds and give them a try. There are rows and rows of vendors who sell everything from gloves to sculpture. I would definitely go again, but will have to save up a few years to do so. One thing we found very interesting was that, every night on the TV news there was a 30 minute Chelsea update. Chelsea was the Super Bowl of gardening that week.

Look forward to your report. One of my hopes of one day going to the CFS.<BR><BR>The Victory Gardener.

Just a quick question off the path here. Any of you Irish/UK Fodorites may help. I am looking for Planter holders that you attach and hang over the Balcomy for Rectangular flower boxes. I Cannot for the life of me find them in Dublin and I saw them at BHV in Paris last December. My partner talked me out of buying them as they were too bulky to take on the plane. <BR><BR>Enjoy the Flower show!