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Original poster

Chelsea Flower Show - hot or not?

11 replies

SweetApril · 03/12/2009 17:05

Hi. Not being a gardener myself, can I ask you experienced MNer gardeners about the Chelsea Flower Show? I'd like to get tickets for my parents (dad is keen gardener, mum not so fussed but happy to see some nice fleurs etc) as a Christmas pressie but want to check if:

a) It's a bit naff or actually the place to be for gardeners.

b) A very tiring day out. Mum gets a bit worn out if there's too much walking involved but fine if there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the gardens/displays

c) Nice places to eat and drink (especially wine or Pimms or something!)

d) Not too much stuff for sale. Not sure they'd be that keen if it was chockful of stalls flogging weird and wonderful gadgets and not that many beautiful flowers and plants to look at.

Thanks very much!

OP posts:
gizmo · 03/12/2009 17:13

Hi SweetApril

I've been a couple of times: it's a lovely day out and would hope your folks will love it. To answer your qus:

a) definitely place to be for gardeners. Not saying there isn't stuff that is naff but its generally outweighed by interesting and beautiful displays/show gardens

b) Hmm. I'm afraid it is tiring - there are many places to sit but it's very crowded and there's lots to see. So I imagine your mum would probably find it tiring but enjoyable

c) Yes, plenty of nice places to drink. Pimms agogo Veeeerrry pricy though.

d) There is loads of stuff for sale, but it's 50:50 with the floral displays and show gardens and fairly easy to avoid.

My advice would be to try and go wed/thurs when it might be a bit less crowded, take plenty of cash and prepare to take it very easy. I'm sure they'll love it.

PheasantPlucker · 03/12/2009 17:15

I love it, have been for the past 5 years.

My dh had a garden there last year - dcs and I were so proud!

PheasantPlucker · 03/12/2009 17:17

PS I would advise going on an RHS day if you are a member, as the public days seem to be a bit fuller somehow

Original poster
SweetApril · 03/12/2009 17:37

Wow, some fast responses! That all sounds great.

gizmo - thanks for taking the trouble to answer all my questions. It really helps. I'm definitely going to go for it now.

pheasantplucker - good idea about the RHS day. Maybe I could include membership as part of the present. I haven't a clue about it but worth investigating as both parents have now finally retired. Congrats on your dh's garden - I don't know much about it but I do know that that's def something to be proud of!

OP posts:
PheasantPlucker · 03/12/2009 17:45

Hope they enjoy it - it really is a great day out. And a lovely present.

Thanks re dh - it was his third show garden. It is always so stressful and he says 'I am not doing it again' each time..... but he will!!!

PheasantPlucker · 03/12/2009 17:45

Hope they enjoy it - it really is a great day out. And a lovely present.

Thanks re dh - it was his third show garden. It is always so stressful and he says 'I am not doing it again' each time..... but he will!!!

Dirtgirl · 04/12/2009 16:23

Chelsea is great, but I find RHS Hampton Court show is somehow easier to handle. There seems to be more space and places to sit down. If you've already got the tickets for Chelsea though, I'm sure they'll enjoy it.

DecorHate · 04/12/2009 16:30

Re the getting tired bit - you can actually see all the show gardens within a couple of hours. I wouldn't bother going to the trade stalls if your mum needs to conserve energy. You can buy tickets to go in later in the day (after 3pm I think) and that might be a good idea - it tends to get quieter in the late afternoon and is open till quite late. Plus if it is a hot day it would be cooler then... You could go somewhere nice for lunch first rather than try to eat at one of the crowded places inside...

PheasantPlucker · 04/12/2009 17:56

If you can take a picnic you can sit and eat by the bandstand bit, it's really nice!

Takver · 05/12/2009 13:20

What do others think of the Hampton Court show? I was thinking of getting tickets for my mum & me for one of the shows this year, and like Dirtgirl thought HC might be better (also timing works better for me as I can combine travelling to london with other things). But I didn't want it to be a 2nd best to Chelsea . . .

PheasantPlucker · 05/12/2009 14:42

I have to admit I was really disappointed at HC last year. But it is more spacious, you can actually go in a few of the show gardens (a very few, but which you can't at Chelsea), and it is cheaper and you can take babes in arms and under 5's in (which you can't at RHS Chelsea).

But I do prefer Chelsea - we 'smuggled' dd2 in this year, even though she was only 4 at the time! It felt very naughty!!

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