The Chelsea Flower Show

The Chelsea Flower Show has played an integral part of the British cultural and social scene for almost 150 years. It is an annual festival that lasts five days each year towards the end of May. It exhibits a variety of plants, exotic plants and gardens designed by celebrities and up and coming designers. It is held in the gardens of London’s Royal Hospital. It is one of the most famous and well known flower shows in the world.  

 

It all began in 1862 when London’s Royal Horticultural society held its first spring show. It took place in Kensington and featured exotic plants from all over the world. This continued and gradually it started to build up a loyal audience. In 1912 they decided they needed to find a new location and it was decided that the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea was the most appropriate. The show grew larger and more successful each year until the war broke out which caused some interruptions, however by 1979 the crowds were so large the attendance was restricted. Today more than 150,000 visit the show to find out the latest trends in horticultural and floral design.