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 2026?
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 runs from Tuesday 19 May to Saturday 23 May 2026. The show opens to RHS members on Tuesday; the full public opening is from Wednesday.
Opening hours:
- Tuesday–Friday: 8:00am–8:00pm
- Saturday: 8:00am–5:30pm (the show closes slightly early on the final day to allow for the famous sell-off of plants and decorations)
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 garden designers are not announced until closer to the show, but the RHS typically reveals the lineup in early spring. Past show garden designers include James Basson, Tom Stuart-Smith, Luciano Giubbilei, and the late Christopher Bradley-Hole.
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
Chelsea Flower Show tickets sell out quickly, often within hours of going on sale to the general public. Here's how to secure yours:
RHS Members get first priority RHS members can buy tickets before they go on general sale. The RHS membership fee is around £60 per year and includes free entry to RHS gardens year-round — excellent value if you visit Chelsea and one or two other RHS gardens in a year.
General sale tickets General sale tickets go live in November or December for the following May's show. Set an alert and be ready to buy when they're released — the most popular sessions (weekday mornings, Saturday) sell out the fastest.
Late availability Some tickets are held back and released closer to the show. Check the RHS website regularly in March and April.
Ticket prices (approximate, 2026)
- Weekday (morning): from £42
- Weekday (afternoon): from £28
- Saturday: from £52
- RHS members receive a discount
Selling out: Saturday tickets typically sell out within hours of going on general sale. Weekday afternoon tickets are the most available and often the most pleasant — crowds thin later in the day.
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 at 5:30pm. 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.