Hi
Anyone going I am considering my 1st visit :)
Cam
I can't sleep thought I look on my fav site :)I was just saying to OH about going to one of the shows as we did Hamton last year it was wonderful ,I was thinking of the Gardener's World Show at Birmingham ,it wasn't as expensive as the Chelsea,we might do that next time,oh can't make my mind up. :(
I can only do Tuesday and £55 is a bit steep
I would love to go to Chelsea.....it always looks overcrowded though and I wonder if you can see much.
Gardeners' world done a few times will not be doing it again.
I would love to go but really struggling to justify £55
I went once because I had illustrated part of the RHS Dictionary of Gardening and they paid for me to go so that they could hold a book launch party there in the evening.
I found it incredibly overcrowded - quite difficult to see over people's backs, and to push a way through the crowds - sort of interesting seeing beautifully displayed plants and gardens at the peak of perfection. But I would never go if I had to pay for myself, and have not been since.
That was some time in the early 90s and I know that since then they have redesigned the main marquees and have a one way system and no doubt various other improvements, so maybe my experience is not very useful to you in making up your mind.
£55 buys you an all day ticket so you can get there early before the crowds and see all the show gardens and the floral marquee quite clearly and take photos too. It starts to get busier late morning but in recent years numbers have been limited so it's nowhere near as bad as it was a few years ago.
At 3:30, it gets really busy as the cheaper ticket holders are let in but by then I've seen all I want to see, met friends for coffee/Pimms/lunch depending and am happy to potter about looking at the stands selling seeds, garden gloves and secateurs and so on.
I always ignore the flower arranging, garden sheds, conservatories, huge ornaments and lawn mower stands as they are of no interest. By 5pm, I'm ready to go and have a shower and put my feet up before take-away curry and then a good night's sleep before drving home via Wisley on the Wednesday.
So, I get 8 to 9 hours of fun at an unbeatable world class event for my £55 which knocks spots of the price of a premiership football match or west end theatre tickets for a couple of hours.
I advise anyone to take a bottle of water and a sandwich or two as refreshments can be expensive. Wear comfortable layers and flat shoes and take a plastic bag to sit on if there are no seats left. Take a camera with fully charged batteries and an empty memory chip. Have fun.
I went a couple of times a few years ago. I loved it. It did get rather crowded particularly later in the afternoon. The price seems to be a lot more than I remember.
I also have to get down to london although i might head down and stay with my parents :) difference is £45 for train fare or £20 on coach :(
I have to travel from Belgium so that's a tank of diesel and a ferry crossing too but I can book that in advance and get reasonable rates. Fortunately I have indulgent friends in Ealing so can stay for free. It's my annual treat with no husband or daughter muttering about plants and gardens being boring or expensive or unexciting. They don't understand.
I pop into Wisley either on the way there or back and then do another garden between Dover and London theother way plus a raid on M&S.
What time does it open please? Have never been and don't fancy the crowds as my shoulder is still very tender. But if it opens really early that would be great. Don't like shows that don't start till 10 am as half the days gone. Might drop a big hint when asked what I want for my birthday in May. Hope your enjoying the sunshine today. Off to plant my spuds now the painkillers kicked in.
8am for the full day ticket. 3:30 for the afternoon ticket.
I've just had surgery to fix a slipped disc in my upper spine so will also want to avoid being jostled in heavy crowds.
best bet for a really good day out is................
visit the Chelsea Physic Garden in the morning, (have a light lunch there, they serve huge pots of tea!)
then the 3.30 afternoon entry to the Chelsea Flower Show, most of the crowds have dissipated by then.
Can you get around the show in an afternoon???
I love Chelsea, have been several times. Cam, you could probably see the show gardens in an afternoon, just don't bother with the floristry etc. Yes it is packed, but I don't mind, it is all part of the atmosphere and I am only a shorty so wiggle through to the front quite nicely. We are going to Gardeners World Live this year for the first time - Chrissy pressie from hubby. Would love to do Hampton Court and Malvern.
The last time i went to Chelsea, it was £35 to get in all day :o :o I have been twice & loved it i cannot go anymore now i am disabled because i could not get around without my mobility scooter & that would not please anyone would it ;D .
I have been to HAMPTON COURT & rather liked that so much more space.
I went to Birmingham once, i would love to go to GARDNERS WORLD there but again mobility thing.
Whoever decides to go have a great time its wonderfull.
I believe the RHS provides free wheelchairs to those needing them but you'd need someone to push. One year I saw Chris Beardshaw invite a wheelchair user into his garden so she could see it better. Why not ask about your mobility scooter and facilities for disabled access.
Quote from: rosebud on April 05, 2012, 18:40:34
The last time i went to Chelsea, it was £35 to get in all day :o :o I have been twice & loved it i cannot go anymore now i am disabled because i could not get around without my mobility scooter & that would not please anyone would it ;D .
I have been to HAMPTON COURT & rather liked that so much more space.
I went to Birmingham once, i would love to go to GARDNERS WORLD there but again mobility thing.
Whoever decides to go have a great time its wonderfull.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2012/All-Coverage/Articles/Plan-your-visit/Accessibility
Exhibits and gardens
All marquees are accessible, and all gardens and floral exhibits can be viewed from ground level, but none are designed for public access. Where possible, gardens are fronted by hard surface pavement, road or trackway. Please note, however, that the areas around the gardens are often busy; disabled visitors may wish to consider arriving early or late in the day to avoid peak times.
Disabled assistance
Attendants cannot be provided but one companion is admitted free of charge per visitor whose disability necessitates assistance. Please mention this at the time of booking. Proof of eligibility is required.
Parking
Parking is available in Battersea Park as detailed under Parking in the Travel section of this website. Buses with wheelchair access run regularly to and from the show. Visitors requiring the mobility bus should advise the parking stewards on arrival at Battersea Park.
Wheelchairs
A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available for loan on payment of a £10 deposit, but must be reserved in advance. To book, please call 0844 581 0700. The deposit can be returned after the show or donated to Event Mobility, who provide the wheelchairs, to support their work.
Please note that we are only able to provide manual wheelchairs at Chelsea.
I think i have made my mind up not to go now i just can't afford it unless i pick up a better paying job :(