The Chelsea Flower Show
The Chelsea Flower Show
With the Chelsea Flower Show getting underway next week, I thought I'd take a look at the history behind this annual event and explore what attracts so many visitors year after year.
The Chelsea Flower Show is held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in Chelsea, London. The show was formerly known as the Great Spring Show and is recognized as the most famous flower show in the UK, attracting visitors from all over the world. The flower show was first held in Chelsea in 1912 as a one-off event, but as the location was such a success, it has remained there almost every year since. The show has up to 157,000 visitors each year, and all tickets must be bought in advance. The duration of the show was originally four days, but from 2005 onwards, it was increased to five. Members of the Royal Family attend a preview day each year as part of the royal patronage of the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society).
There are five award categories at the event:
- Flora: Gardens and floral exhibitions
- Hogg: Exhibits of trees
- Knightian: Exhibits of vegetables, including herbs
- Lindley: Exhibits of special educational or scientific interest
- Grenfell: Exhibits of pictures, photographs, floral arrangements, and floristry
Other awards are known as the Special Awards, which include Best Show Garden Award, Best City Garden Award, RHS Junior Display Trophy, and many more.
The Chelsea Flower Show is included in our Chelsea Flower Show, Henley, and Oxford Tour. For more information or to book your place for next year's event, please visit our website. If you have been to the show before, we would love to hear about your experience. Please leave your comments in the section below.
