The
Chelsea Flower Show – 2015
After
many years of wishing to go to the Chelsea Flower Show, this year my
daughter-in-law Melissa got tickets for us to go on the final day – Saturday.
Of
course, this is an annual event which takes place in the grounds of the Royal
Hospital Chelsea.
It
is run and organised by the RHS [Royal Horticultural Society] and if you are
fond of visiting their many events around the country it is well worth your
while becoming a member as it comes with privileges not available to the
general public – not least lower prices. That said, there is so much more to the
RHS than their horticultural shows. Their website is one I use frequently for
advice on growing ...anything!
It
had promised to be a sunny day so neither of us took any suitable rainwear with
us – big mistake – it rained [possibly the only part of the country where it
did]. Among the many trade-stands, where they were selling rain gear and umbrellas
there was a flurry of sales probably, much to the delight of the traders. I did
buy a very handsome umbrella with horses on it which was one of four designs –
I could have had pink pigs or hens or black and white cows instead. It was
probably not the best choice of rain protection for such a crowded setting as
mine had to be held high above people’s heads to avoid collecting eyeballs.
Much more sensible and free were the plastic ponchos provided by the sponsors
of this year’s show – M&G Investments [apparently their 6th year
of sponsoring the Show]. They were also giving out sturdy carrier bags and
booklets which did save us from buying bags and spending £8 on an official Show
Catalogue. No I am not working for M&G but, we did think it was an
excellent advertising ploy on their part especially among those visitors to the
show who wouldn’t have quibbled over the cost of the catalogue !
The
huge indoor marquee is definitely the main event and is full of interesting and
dazzling displays of flowers and plants, some of which must have taken teams of
people and many days to create. My favourites must really be the bearded
irises, the potato stall and a lone vegetable stall – I do love stuff I can eat
!
Outside
there were the small garden designs which, I had expected to love but, I think a
combination of not being able to get
near them because of the press of the crowds of people and their
inaccessibility made me somewhat disappointed.
The
trade stalls had a much greater impact and although I had not intended to buy
anything I did, in fact, buy my umbrella and a pair of ‘Cloggies’ very useful
slip-on waterproof shoes. The last of the big spenders. Melissa did try on a
very nice short, tweed jacket but, eventually she walked away from the extravagant
price.
I
think the downsides of the event were the crushing crowds and the lack of
anywhere to sit down. I had been warned beforehand that there was nowhere to
sit so, I equipped myself with a ‘shooting stick’ [one of those contraptions
that doubles up as a stick and a singled legged seat]. However, it was so
crowded that I didn’t dare to sit on it as it would have taken me out of the
eye-line of the hustling crowds. I did feel sorry for those in wheel-chairs as
the crowds just didn’t see them. It must be said that no-one was rude or
obviously impatient, no-one used their elbows or pushed people aside
impatiently, it was just that the presence of so many people wishing to see the
flowers and the stalls and the gardens made it difficult.
As
we had been there quite early, we felt ‘peckish’ quite early and wandered round
to find something to eat. We had considered a packed lunch then decided that we
could probably leave the site to one of the many cafes and restaurants on nearby
Chelsea’s Kings Road but, the ticket
does not allow you to leave the site and return.
The
restaurants were well outside our price range so we scouted for stalls which
sold snacks. Fortunately, we did find an indoor [it had started to rain]
facility which sold hot snacks, salads, cold snacks, sandwiches, drinks, etc.
We were fortunate in that we were early enough to not have to queue too long
but, we were much too late to find anywhere to sit. We eventually found a shelf
where we could plonk our tray and eat standing up. By the time we were leaving
the queues were significant. Melissa had a very delicious Thai Green Curry and
I had a Lamb Tagine with couscous. Both were quite substantial and reasonably
priced.
There
are toilet facilities though neither of us needed to use them so I can’t
comment on them – probably we were not drinking enough water !
As
we left and walked back to Kings Road a young woman stopped us and asked if it
was worth it. We had to point out to her that this event is ticket only and all
tickets had been sold out some time before so, if you plan to go do make your
plans early.
The
cost depends on the day you attend, whether or not you are a member, whether
you are going for an allotted time or staying all day.
This
year it ran from Tuesday 19th May to Saturday 23rd May.
Although we had ‘all-day’ tickets, one of the allotted time would have been
fine to see what was available. We left exhausted, by mid afternoon and had
seen enough.
This
year the prices ranged from £24 to £99 depending on whether or not you were a
member, which day you were attending and the time you planned to be there.
On
week days the Show is available for members only for the first two days and is
open from 8.00am to 8.00pm. On the final day, Saturday, it is open from 8.00am
to 5.30pm and the many of the plants are sold off from 4.00pm. I believe there
are some excellent deals to be had for exotic and different species – I didn’t
stay around for this.
Getting to the Show at
The Royal Hospital Chelsea [SW3 4SL]. Of course, check
first on the RHS website where you can also find details of many other shows
they run. Make sure you book well in advance.
If
you are coming to London by car then
there is parking in Battersea Park but it is severely limited and is by a first
come system although, I believe it is possible to book a place in advance
By Tube/Underground –take
the District or Circle Line to Sloane Square. The site is about a 10 minute
walk from there off the famous Kings Road [great shopping there]
By Bus – 11,
137, 211, 360 and 452 will take you close to the grounds and services 19, 22 and
319 will take you to Sloane Square.
Of
course you can also travel there by my favourite form of transport – The Thames Clippers to Cadogan Pier –
do check on their website.
These
are the details for 2015 and there are not many differences from year to year
but, of course, prices will, no doubt rise so, take that into consideration
when you are booking.
I
am glad I have been though, I doubt I will go again. Melissa intends to visit
again next year with my son. We believe he will love it.
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