I've been waiting until my children have left home because of it being exam time but then my youngest repeated a year so I thought i'd have to wait another year. However i thought he's off to China with Project Trust in August so he can look after himself for a day!!! I logged on to find tickets and the website i was directed to with a link was sold out. I went away and thought about it, tried one of the other two links and got one! :blob7:
You can't beat it as a show, you will come home with all sorts of ideas in your head, but you will also come home starving unless you take some sarnies. The queues and expense will put you off buying the food on site. Not cheese and pickle, something like smoked salmon and a small bottle of champers , well it is a special day, enjoy it. Whoops almost forgot, sensible shoes.
It's true they have a poor range of sandwiches an dthey're expensive so I always buy one on the way at a proper sandwich shop. I also suggest you takke water as it can be thirsty work and you don't wantto be continually trotting back to queue.
Take a small back pack or shoulder bag. I find an opened out dustbin liner is useful for sitting on on the grass or one of the banks in the shade to eat my picnic a sthere are never enough chairs or tables. Wear very comfy shoes and layers and sunscreen. You'll be surprised how hot it can get if the sun does shine.
You can't buy plants except on the last day but you can buy seeds, lily bulbs, books, art, gardening clothes, wellies, tools, ornaments, sculptures etc so take some cash or a credit card just in case. Lots of things are heap expensive but some things like plant supports are reallly good value. If it's bulky the stall holder will keep it for you till you leave.
Hi KEA tryed two weeks ago for ticket to chelsea all gone ,I think they have a special show this yr can't remember what , it's garden'ers world this yr! will try next yr for Chelsea :BangHead:
Claybasket , I bought my Ticket on Thursday 21/3 and my friend bought hers on Friday (22 March)evening.
Always take a bin liner/sit mat....felt quite smug at the Olympics because my OH forgot! Always take a bottle of water with me. Will grab some food on the way. I only wear comfortable shoes...too many feet and joint problems. Always have a backpack so I'm sorted really, can't wait.
Probably best that I can't buy plants!!!
Champagne would be nice but have to drive home from station at the end of the day.
:toothy10:
Of tomorrow to Ideal Homes Show got the free bee tickets :toothy10: hope the roads are OK,well it a day oot and there are always new gadgets ,last time we got a cheese grater aload of rubbish we binned it the guy made it look so easy with the wee gadget,am a glutton for punishment :toothy10:
Getting excited now just over a week to go.
Is there a map available so you can find your way around?
I'm going to be getting there from Sloane square.....Google says its a 5 main walk is that correct? But what street is the entrance on?
You can buy a programme as you enter. It ahs a map and lsits all the exhibitors - useful if you want to contact any to order plants later on.
You can't buy plants at Chelsea but you can place orders and i've bought lily bulbs one stand and seeds at others in the floral marquee. There are also seed stands in Main Avenue and sellers of garden ornaments and objects, clothing, books, art etc that you can take with you or have delivered.
Don't foget to take a new bin bag that you've cut open to sit on as there are never enough seats available round the bandtsand and picnic area and some water and sun screen.
Thanks Obbelix. I usually have a bin bag so I can get down low to take photos but I'll tell my friend to bring one. It was very handy at the Olympics.
Going to get some sandwiches before getting there.