Venue
Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London, United Kingdom
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RHS Chelsea Flower Show guide
Britain's best-known garden show, each May in Chelsea.
In short
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show fills the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea with show gardens, a packed Great Pavilion and trade stands, and the 2027 show runs from 18 to 22 May. Tickets are dated, sold in advance and went on sale in October 2026, so book early and arrive at opening for the clearest view of the gardens.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a five-day garden show held each May in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the home of the Chelsea Pensioners in south-west London. The 2027 show runs from 18 to 22 May. Designers build full-size show gardens in under a month, nurseries fill the Great Pavilion with plants grown for the occasion, and the gardens are judged for RHS medals before the gates open.
The Royal Horticultural Society has held the show at Chelsea since 1913, and it describes the event as its most important fundraiser. The first days are reserved for RHS members, with the public admitted later in the week, and the show traditionally closes with the plant sell-off on the final afternoon, when exhibitors sell display plants to visitors.
Tickets are dated and capacity is limited, so they sell out in advance. Visitors come for planting ideas as much as the spectacle: the small gardens, the floristry displays and the trade stands are where most practical inspiration is found. More on visiting the city is in our London guide.
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Key Facts & Stats:
Ends: Saturday, 22 May 2027
Where: London, United Kingdom
Venue: Royal Hospital Chelsea
Held: Every year
Type of event: Leisure Events, Cultural Events, Exhibition
Nearest airport: London (LHR) · 2 flight routes
Currency: Pound sterling (£ GBP)
Time zone: GMT (UTC+0), BST (UTC+1) from late March to late October
Language: English
Map
Close to the venue
- Natural History Museum, London Attraction · 1.6 km
- Buckingham Palace Attraction · 2 km
- Hyde Park Attraction · 2.4 km
- Westminster Abbey Attraction · 2.6 km
- The Savoy Hotel · 3.7 km
Getting around
Hotels near the venue fill up around the event dates.
Seeing the gardens before the midday crowds
The showground is compact and very full, especially around midday. To see the gardens properly:
- arrive at opening and head for the show gardens on Main Avenue first
- visit the Great Pavilion in the early afternoon when the avenue is at its busiest
- pick up a show guide for a map of garden locations
- keep a light bag; space along the garden ropes is tight
Getting to the showground by public transport
Parking around Chelsea is very limited during show week, so public transport is the sensible choice.
- Sloane Square on the District and Circle lines is the nearest Underground station, about a 10-minute walk
- London Victoria, for mainline and Gatwick Express trains, is a little further
- several bus routes run along the King's Road and Chelsea Bridge Road
What happens on the day
- Opening
Gates open
Head for Main Avenue's show gardens before the crowds.
- Midday
Great Pavilion
Nursery displays under cover when the avenues are busiest.
- Afternoon
Smaller gardens and trade stands
Ideas suited to ordinary-sized plots.
- Final day
Sell-off
Exhibitors sell display plants in the late afternoon.
2027 dates, tickets and RHS membership
The show runs from 18 to 22 May 2027 and tickets went on sale in October 2026, members first. Decide early whether joining the RHS makes sense: membership opens the quieter members' days. Otherwise pick a public day and book promptly.
Stay in Chelsea, Belgravia or Pimlico if you want to walk to the gates, or anywhere on the District or Circle lines for a direct ride to Sloane Square. Allow a full day; most visitors underestimate how long the gardens and the pavilion take.
The show's move to the Royal Hospital Chelsea in 1913
The Royal Horticultural Society's spring show moved to the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in 1913, after earlier years at the society's own garden in Kensington and at Temple Gardens. It was suspended during the two World Wars and has otherwise returned every May.
Over the decades it has become the place where garden trends are set and where new plants are launched to the public, while the medals awarded here still carry weight across the British gardening trade.
Getting there
By Underground
Sloane Square (District and Circle lines) is about a 10-minute walk.
By rail
London Victoria is within walking distance or a short bus ride.
From the airports
Heathrow via the Elizabeth or Piccadilly line; Gatwick via the Gatwick Express to Victoria.
Where to stay during the festival
Chelsea, Belgravia and Pimlico are walkable to the show.
Anywhere on the District or Circle lines gives a direct ride to Sloane Square.
Weather and what to pack
London in May averages highs of about 19°C and lows of about 10°C (1991-2020 normals), with showers possible.
Much of the show is outdoors; the Great Pavilion offers shelter.
Worth packing
- Comfortable shoes
- A compact umbrella or rain jacket
- A notebook or phone for plant names
- A sturdy bag for sell-off day
Flights to London for RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The busiest routes into London (LHR).
FromTo DAC LHR DhakaLondon Available airlines1 airline- Biman Bangladesh Airlines
FromTo ZYL LHR SylhetLondon Available airlines1 airline- Biman Bangladesh Airlines
Car hire in London
Airport transfer to RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Met at arrivals at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and driven door to door to Royal Hospital Chelsea.
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR) → Royal Hospital Chelsea
- 25 km · 35 min
Restaurants and food in United Kingdom
Places to eat in United Kingdom before or after the celebrations.
Magpie Café
14 Pier Road, Whitby YO21 3PU, United Kingdom
Cuisine:SeafoodFish and chips
- Dine-in
- Takeaway
Ubiquitous Chip
12 Ashton Lane, Glasgow G12 8SJ, United Kingdom
Cuisine:ScottishModern British
- Dine-in
- Bar
The Kitchin
78 Commercial Quay, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6LX, United Kingdom
Cuisine:Modern ScottishSeasonal
- Dine-in
Dishoom Covent Garden
12 Upper St Martin's Lane, London WC2H 9FB, United Kingdom
Cuisine:IndianBombay café
- Dine-in
- Bar
- Outdoor seating
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Timing & weather
From 18 to 22 May 2027, as published by the RHS.
The first two days are for RHS members; non-members can attend later in the week. Check the RHS ticket page for the exact split for 2027.
Since 1913. It grew out of the RHS Great Spring Show, held at the society's Kensington gardens and later in Temple Gardens before the move.
Booking
The RHS opened sales to members on 19 October and to the public on 21 October 2026. Popular days sell out, so buy as early as possible.
No. All tickets are dated and sold in advance, and there is no box office on the day.
General
In the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, on Royal Hospital Road. The hospital, founded by Charles II, still houses the Chelsea Pensioners, retired soldiers of the British Army.
The huge marquee at the centre of the showground, where nurseries and growers display plants, many timed to flower for show week.
On the final afternoon, exhibitors sell plants and sundries from their displays. It draws a crowd, so expect queues and carry a sturdy bag.
RHS judges assess show gardens and displays before the show opens and award Gold, Silver-Gilt, Silver and Bronze medals, plus the Best in Show award.
Many trade stands sell plants, tools and garden products throughout the week, and nurseries take orders for later delivery.
Families & accessibility
The RHS has historically not admitted children under five, and pushchairs are not allowed. Check the current rules before booking for a family.