Every May, thousands of flower lovers descend on Chelsea for what is arguably the most famous flower show in the world. RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a bucket-list event for many gardeners, plant enthusiasts and visitors to London, and this year I returned for my second visit.

This time, I attended on Members’ Day with my mum. Armed with a 3.30pm ticket, a camera and a slightly questionable weather forecast, we set out to see what Chelsea Flower Show is really like when you’re not attending on press day or as an invited guest.

Getting to Chelsea Flower Show

Chelsea Flower Show takes place in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, just a short walk from Sloane Square Underground Station.

The area is incredibly busy during Flower Show week, partly because Chelsea in Bloom takes place at the same time. This free floral festival transforms the streets of Chelsea and Belgravia with spectacular floral displays created by local shops, restaurants and businesses.

If you have time before or after your visit to Chelsea Flower Show, I highly recommend exploring Chelsea in Bloom as well – click here for more on that.

Tickets and Entry

Tickets for RHS Chelsea Flower Show usually go on sale many months in advance and often sell out.

Monday is Royal and VIP press day, Tuesday and Wednesday are members days, Thursday, Friday and Saturday are members and the public.

You can join RHS from around £60 for the year – look out for offers! Tickets for Chelsea Flower Show are on top and it can get pricey.

We opted for an afternoon entry ticket, which gave us around five hours to explore the show before closing. While that sounds like plenty of time, Chelsea Flower Show is surprisingly large and there is a lot to see.

Entry was straightforward, with digital tickets on the app and a quick security check before entering the show ground.

What to Wear at Chelsea Flower Show

One thing you quickly learn about visiting Chelsea Flower Show is that the British weather has a mind of its own.

I had imagined wandering around in a floral dress, but the reality was a chilly, drizzly afternoon that called for jeans, jumpers and a long coat.

My advice is to dress in layers, wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for anything. There is a lot of walking involved, and while the Great Pavilion provides welcome shelter from the rain, much of the show is outdoors.

Despite its glamorous reputation, Chelsea Flower Show is far more relaxed than many people imagine, so there is no need to worry about dressing up unless you want to.

The Smaller Gardens

One of the best pieces of advice we received came from a volunteer who suggested starting with the smaller gardens before heading to the larger exhibits.

The Balcony Gardens, Container Gardens and All About Plants Gardens offered plenty of inspiration for real-life spaces. These smaller gardens felt creative, practical and achievable, with lots of ideas that could be adapted for ordinary gardens and balconies.

One of my favourites was the Bat Conservation Trust garden, which combined unusual planting with imaginative design and won multiple awards.

The Great Pavilion

The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the Great Pavilion.

This enormous floral marquee is packed with specialist growers, extraordinary displays and some of the finest flowers you will see anywhere in the UK.

I was immediately drawn to the roses, including the much-talked-about David Beckham rose launched by David Austin Roses.

The Pavilion felt colourful, uplifting and full of inspiration. It was also a welcome escape from the rain outside.

If you’re visiting Chelsea Flower Show for the first time, I would strongly recommend setting aside plenty of time to explore the Pavilion properly.

The Famous Show Gardens

The show gardens are the headline attraction at Chelsea Flower Show and showcase the work of some of the world’s leading garden designers.

Personally, I found myself most drawn to the colourful planting and floral displays rather than some of the more naturalistic garden schemes, but there is no denying the creativity and craftsmanship involved.

One of the most talked-about gardens of the show attracted significant queues throughout the afternoon, so we decided to focus our time elsewhere and explore the gardens with shorter waiting times.

Food, Drinks and Atmosphere

Chelsea Flower Show isn’t just about gardens.

Throughout the site there are places to enjoy food, drinks and live entertainment. Visitors can relax with a cup of tea, a glass of champagne or a leisurely lunch while enjoying the atmosphere.

For us, the highlight was a giant Purbeck Ice Cream topped with its famous chocolate dinosaur – a tradition we first discovered at another RHS event and were delighted to find again.

Is Chelsea Flower Show Worth Visiting?

For me, the answer is yes.

The flowers are extraordinary, the displays are inspiring and the event offers a unique opportunity to see some of the very best horticulture in the world.

While it can feel exclusive at times, and the tickets are certainly an investment, I came away with plenty of inspiration, beautiful photographs and wonderful memories of a day spent with my mum among the flowers.

Would I return? Absolutely.

Perhaps next time with a full-day ticket, a little more sunshine and enough time to stop for afternoon tea.

Watch next – Ultimate Guide to Chelsea in Bloom