With the summer season nearly upon us, the Chelsea Flower Show is fast approaching to mark the end of spring.
Renowned for its stunning floral displays and breathtaking garden exhibits, the Chelsea Flower Show takes place in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London and attracts thousands of visitors annually.
Whether you’re a tourist or a local ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Chelsea Flower Show, this guide is for you.
So, if you’re interested in buying a ticket or already have one, you’re prepared for everything the show offers.
The Chelsea Flower Show: When Is It?
The Chelsea Flower Show runs from Tuesday 21st May to Saturday 25th May 2024.
The opening times are 8 am-8 pm Tuesday through Thursday, 8 am-10.30 pm Friday, and 8 am-5.30 pm Saturday.
That said, it’s important to note that tickets for Tuesdays to Wednesdays are reserved for RHS members and aren’t thus available to the public.
How Much Does The Chelsea Flower Show Cost?
Ticket prices for the Chelsea Flower Show vary depending on whether you’re a member.
Public tickets start from £55.85, while members’ tickets begin at £47.85.
Although some tickets have sold out, you can still buy tickets for the Chelsea Flower Show on the RHS website.
Tips For Visiting The Chelsea Flower Show
There are many ways to maximise your enjoyment at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Our expert tips to ensure you make the most of your visit include but are not limited to:
- Dress appropriately for the weather
- Visit with a private tour
- Bring your own picnic
- Avoid the crowds
- Organise a meeting point
1. Dress Appropriately For The Weather
The first tip for visiting the Chelsa Flower Show is to dress appropriately for the weather.
The month of May in England is notoriously unpredictable, and you can experience everything from glorious sunshine to a huge downpour on the same day.
That said, you should make sure that you check the weather forecast and plan your outfit accordingly.
Although there isn’t an official dress code for the Chelsea Flower Show, the event is often described as ‘smart casual’.
That said, to ensure you’re prepared, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and pack a waterproof jacket or a sunhat if it’s going to be hot.

2. Visit With A Private Tour
Planning your trip to the Chelsea Flower Show is crucial to making the most out of your visit, but with so much to see in one day, it can feel overwhelming and difficult to plan.
If you don’t know where to start, why not leave it to the professionals and visit with a private tour of London?
At Yellow Moon Tours, our experienced tour guides can do the hard work for you. Not only is a tour a great opportunity to meet others, but it also allows you to get the maximum enjoyment out of the experience.
Get in touch with a member of our team today to book your tour today.
3. Bring Your Own Picnic
Picnics are permitted at the Chelsea Flower Show, so it’s a sensible idea to pack your own lunch and snacks, as well as a refillable water bottle.
Days at the Chelsea Flower Show can be long, especially if you get a full-day ticket. Once you’re in, you can’t leave to grab some food and come back again.
While there are restaurants on-site, they’re generally crowded and expensive. That said, it’s best to bring your own food and a blanket to give you more options for sitting when the tables are full.
There are fill-up stations around the grounds, so bringing your own water bottle will ensure you’re hydrating throughout the day, which is especially important on hotter days.

4. Avoid The Crowds
The next tip for visiting the Chelsea Flower Show is to avoid the crowds.
If you’re unsure of how busy it can get, the fact the show attracts ‘more than 150,000 visitors each year’ should give you a more comprehensive idea.
While avoiding the crowds is easier said than done, especially when you’re at a popular London event, there are ways to achieve this.
For instance, get there before 8 am when the gates first open and go straight to the displays and exhibits you want to see before the crowds begin to gather.

5. Organise A Meeting Point
Lastly, a tip when visiting the Chelsea Flower Show is to organise a meeting point.
Due to the sheer volume of visitors, you can’t rely on the patchy phone signal.
You’ll want to organise an easily recognisable meeting point regardless of whether you plan to split up.
Large crowds can easily separate groups, and if you all want to see different displays and exhibits, it’s best to arrange a place to meet.
This will ensure that you have somewhere to go if you get separated from your friends and your phone doesn’t have a signal, and it will mean you can all leave together when it’s time to head back through the London streets.
How We Can Help
If you’re looking for an insightful tour around the Chelsea Flower Show, look no further than Yellow Moon Tours.
From planning the best way to travel to and from the show to giving you an entirely new perspective of the gardens and London in general, our expert tour guides are on hand to help.
Additionally, our Gardens & Villages private tour is the perfect choice if you’d like to visit more English country gardens.
Contact us today to find out more.
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For inquiries or questions, contact us today at info@yellowmoontours.com or on +02032903665 to book your private tour today or check out our Instagram page.
Written by Jemima Thomas for Yellow Moon Tours, the private tours specialist covering London, Paris, New York and Ireland.