Chelsea flower show

There is talk of restrictions on the number of tickets.
Lots of complaints Re over crowded, lack of toilets facilities, not enough seating areas.
Plus the £18 for a brochure to show you where where all tge displays are. That would be the displays you can’t get near too.

I couldn’t be doing with all those people around me. I can’t even face the Sandringham Flower Show frequented by the Royals. I very nearly went one year with a group of friends but wasn’t very well. They reported it was so rammed that you couldn’t see very much so I wasn’t disappointed in missing out.

I do find some of the gardening programmes really relaxing and inspiring though.

Selene it is a gardening programme not a fashion show. The gardeners look so uncomfortable, particularly Monty, in their suits and ties on the royal visit day. I have met Frances Tophill a couple of times and she is so down to earth and usually dressed very individualistically in casual outfits but she was most glamorous this week.

I have been to Chelsea many times when it was a garden show not a fashion parade. I have not been for about ten years as it was getting too costly and crowded and full of expensive retail outlets. The show gardens are now cordoned off so tightly you cannot see them properly, much better to watch on TV.. I would never go again.

merlotgran

Well, that’s Chelsea done and dusted in my virtual social calendar!

Royal Ascot next so I’d better look out my fanciest hat for my carriage ride with the King and Queen. 😂

Are you not in the Royal box at Wimbledon this year?

Well, that’s Chelsea done and dusted in my virtual social calendar!

Royal Ascot next so I’d better look out my fanciest hat for my carriage ride with the King and Queen. 😂

My close friend sang there this year for the Trussell Trust on the Monday !

My daughter and grandaughter went down to the Chelsea street show lots of shops, houses, buildings have the most fantastic displays it’s all totally free and you get a leaflet to find where the different major displays are and follow a sort of trail I can post a few pics if anyone is interested

I am not a great gardener but I do enjoy watching Chelsea and seeing what these talented people can do, as well as enjoying all the beautiful flowers and shrubs, and getting a few hints and tips.

I don't like the way the BBC devoted so much time to "celebrities" - I'm not interested in hearing about them or their gardens with saunas, and plunge pools, and pizza ovens etc. Is anyone?

I've just seen that the three new Strictly presenters made a scheduled "appearance" at Chelsea today. What on earth for? The only connection to this world respected show is that Johannes wore a see through black top with flowers on it. (Awful, but of course that's just my humble opinion).

I wonder how they, or Strictly viewers, would like it if Monty Don ambled on to the dance floor one Saturday night with a pot of herbs and some cabbages he'd grown? And talked about them for the next 10 minutes.

I have fallen head over heels for the stunning ‘Save the Rain’ courtyard garden.

I want that cushion!!!

Redcar

I find that the television coverage concentrates on two or three gardens and gives scant coverage to the rest. I have been to the show twice, both times it was heaving, nowhere to sit, restaurants full with long queues and some gardens inaccessible due to filming. I watch it from home now, but it’s a lovely atmosphere there.

I went once, years ago and thought it was awful, all the things you say and queues for everything.Maybe Malvern would be better one year when I have more time.

MartavTaurus

REKA

I'm just thrilled to see gnomes are being allowed this year

I was in a hardware shop this morning and the assistants said they were constantly being asked for gnomes today!!

😂
That’s the one thing I wouldn’t want.

I visited every year until recently. It is just fantastic, and such an exciting buzz as the doors swing open in the morning.

I miss it, but can’t do the walking now.

The BBC ? I get fed up with the talking heads on Monty’s programme…..I want to see the plants.

These days I much prefer the afternoon session with Angellica Bell and Nicki Chapman. More details about the plants and more practical advice. And what beautiful dresses they have been wearing each day, especially Angellica’s today.

(What did you think of Frances’ green satin dress with the sequins ?)

Rachel had a lovely dress and coat on for the Monday programme. Monty appears his usual self but slightly smarter.

I think it looks fabulous especially the sculpture garden that won best in show. Far too crowded though for me. I've booked the Rutland Flower Show and hope to see Adam Frost there.

At least he’s not wearing his straw hat - the one with the holes in it. 😂

Whitewavemark2

Monty looks fine. He has his own style - has done for ever. I like it.

Can you imagine him in a more structured suit😄😄. He’d look weird I think.

And with makeup!!

Monty looks fine. He has his own style - has done for ever. I like it.

Can you imagine him in a more structured suit😄😄. He’d look weird I think.

Delene100

I wish he would wear a decent suit. At least Rachel has smartened up and the women have put a little makeup on.

Do you mean Monty?
He wears a linen suit, I think.

He'd look out of place, not himself, if he wore a conventional suit and tie imo.

Sleepyhead52

Allira

They’ve done the same to the Malvern show which was a reasonable price to enter when I used to visit many years ago.
A ticket costs less than £30.

Taunton Flower show has tickets for £20 and £17 if you're near there.
Badminton Flower Show from £35

Are you near Taunton? Apparently the flower show has been struggling financially for some years and this may be the last unless it gets more support (footfall). Whenever I have been it has felt too crowded!

It was on the local news and they said they were struggling, that's why I mentioned it. We're a distance away but it would be doable.

I wish he would wear a decent suit. At least Rachel has smartened up and the women have put a little makeup on.

Allira

^They’ve done the same to the Malvern show which was a reasonable price to enter when I used to visit many years ago.^
A ticket costs less than £30.

Taunton Flower show has tickets for £20 and £17 if you're near there.
Badminton Flower Show from £35

Are you near Taunton? Apparently the flower show has been struggling financially for some years and this may be the last unless it gets more support (footfall). Whenever I have been it has felt too crowded!

I agree with Redcar in that there is nowhere to sit. We went once and had to sit on the ground. Altogether too crowded for me. I’d rather spend my money on the Open Garden scheme.

8-12 July – RHS Badminton Flower Show
22-26 July – RHS Sandringham Flower Show

I didn’t know that they’d held an RHS flower show at Wentworth Woodhouse last year or I would have gone -it’s on my doorstep. Worth a visit if only to see what they have done with the house. Despite its success last year, it is not being held there this year. They held one at Chatsworth not so long ago too.

I find that the television coverage concentrates on two or three gardens and gives scant coverage to the rest. I have been to the show twice, both times it was heaving, nowhere to sit, restaurants full with long queues and some gardens inaccessible due to filming. I watch it from home now, but it’s a lovely atmosphere there.

As several have said, Autumn, J52, Jax and Witzend, Chelsea does get crowded beyond belief (just see the masses when the BBC coverage is on their raised platform!).

I went once, it's a hot, crowded, expensive day, and I wouldn't go again, but the best advice (I gather) is to get there as the gates open (so, as the crack of dawn goes out of earshot?!) and get round while you can still see things without a football crowd in the way -- and when I went, bouncers shoving you past stalls to get a move on and ease the queues!

For those blaming the BBC for price rises, that is SUCH an ill-informed attack! The RHS governs prices, and sadly they saw that the whole shebang gets a massive attendance, and moved the prices as per market forces. Given that squillions are STILL willing to pay very silly money, AND endure conditions that prisoner welfare groups would likely complain about, I doubt that they'll be reducing those prices anytime soon?!!

Some have mentioned other shows that are likely better value, and more room to move?! In the past, when on holiday up there, we've visited Harrogate, and Tatton Park, also Shrewsbury -- though I think that one has bitten the dust ("rocketing costs"), shame, as it's a nice town to visit.

A quick Google/AI search suggested alternative shows at Harrogate, Tatton (next is 2027), Hampton Court (ditto), Sandringham, Windsor and Badminton, with a little mention of Arley Hall (?), and Wentworth Woodhouse (never heard of it before!). Also I see a mention of Malvern, Blenheim Palace (careful, traffic is bonkers!), and Southport.

However, that famous new AI tool belied the 'I' part of the name, as it put up Shrewsbury, which is NOT running this year, and may struggle to return, it seems, they'd need to raise prices and upset people, to cover costs!