The RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been held annually in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea since 1913. For five days in the third week of May, the 11-acre show ground is transformed into the world's greatest concentration of horticultural talent, innovation, and beauty. It is one of the highlights of the London social calendar — beloved by royalty, professional gardeners, and first-time visitors alike.
When is Chelsea Flower Show 2027?
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2027 is confirmed for Tuesday 18 May to Saturday 22 May 2027. Tuesday and Wednesday are RHS members' days, followed by public days from Thursday to Saturday. The show runs from 8am to 8pm, closes at 5:30pm on Saturday, and has a Friday Late from 5:30pm to 10pm. Check the RHS website for the garden line-up nearer the time.
The Show Gardens
The show gardens are the heart of Chelsea. Each year, leading garden designers from the UK and internationally compete to create extraordinary gardens on plots allocated by the RHS, judged for awards including the coveted Best in Show.
Garden categories include:
- Show Gardens — the largest and most ambitious gardens, typically 200–270 square metres. These are full-scale gardens that often take months to build and are designed to illustrate a strong concept or campaign.
- Sanctuary Gardens — smaller, more intimate spaces designed for contemplation and wellbeing.
- Balcony and Container Gardens — compact designs for smaller spaces and urban gardeners.
- Artisan Gardens — hand-crafted, often featuring traditional craftsmanship and materials.
The designers and gardens for 2027 are typically announced by the RHS in the autumn and winter beforehand — check back nearer the show for the confirmed line-up.
The Great Pavilion
The Great Pavilion is the vast marquee that occupies the centre of the show ground, housing the floral exhibits of nurseries, growers, and specialist plant societies from across Britain and the world. This is where you'll find the most spectacular displays of orchids, roses, vegetables, and exotic plants.
The floral exhibits in the Great Pavilion are judged for gold, silver-gilt, silver, and bronze medals. A gold medal from Chelsea is among the most coveted awards in horticulture.
How to Get Tickets
The RHS has announced the 2027 ticket-sale dates, although prices have not yet been published:
RHS Members get first priority RHS member ticket sales open on Monday 19 October 2026. Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 May are members' days, and tickets for those dates require RHS membership. Membership gives priority booking but does not guarantee a ticket.
General sale tickets Public ticket sales open on Wednesday 21 October 2026. Public days run from Thursday 20 to Saturday 22 May, with a separate Friday Late on 21 May. All ticket types are subject to availability; check the official RHS event page for the live sale and confirmed prices.
Getting to Chelsea Flower Show
By Tube: Take the Circle or District line to Sloane Square (5–10 minute walk to the Royal Hospital). Note that Sloane Square station can get very crowded during show week.
By bus: Routes 11, 137, and 239 all stop near the Royal Hospital.
By foot: The show is a 20-minute walk from Victoria station and 10 minutes from Sloane Square.
Do not drive: Parking in Chelsea is extremely limited and very expensive during show week.
Tips for Your Visit
Arrive early: The first hour after opening (8:00–9:00am) is the quietest time to visit, before the coach parties arrive. The show gardens are easiest to appreciate without crowds around them.
Wear comfortable shoes: You'll walk several miles over the course of a day. The show ground can be muddy after rain — flat, waterproof shoes are better than heels.
Bring cash: Most plant and produce stalls prefer cash, though card readers are increasingly common.
Book lunch in advance: The restaurants and cafes within the show ground get extremely busy. Book ahead or bring a packed lunch to eat in the picnic areas.
Saturday sell-off: If you have a Saturday ticket, stay until the show closes. As soon as the doors close to visitors, the garden designers and nurseries begin selling off plants, sculptures, and decorations. Extraordinary things can be bought at sale prices — the challenge is getting them home.
Photography: Photography is permitted throughout the show for personal use. The show gardens are particularly beautiful in the early morning light.
Wear layers: May weather in London is unpredictable. Bring a light waterproof and layers — the morning can be cold, the afternoon warm, and the evening can turn again.
Chelsea in Bloom
If you can't get tickets to the show itself, the streets of Chelsea put on their own free floral display during show week. Chelsea in Bloom sees local shops, restaurants, and hotels compete to decorate their facades with elaborate floral displays, transforming the King's Road and surrounding streets into a free open-air exhibition. Judging takes place on Wednesday, making that the best day to see the displays at their most spectacular.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is one of those events that, for many visitors, exceeds expectations even if you know nothing about gardening. The scale, artistry, and ambition on show — compacted into 11 acres in the heart of Chelsea — create an experience unlike any other in the London calendar.