If you're going to be around London during the Chelsea Flower Show, but are not going to venture into the showground, or perhaps have some time to spare, then why not take a look at some of the other things to see and do around London.
What else is on in London during the Chelsea Flower Show 2024
Chelsea in Bloom
Just a stones throw from the Chelsea Flower Show, you can see the floral bonanza of Chelsea in Bloom, the free-to-attend festival of flowers. Restaurants and retailers around Chelsea will be adorning their facades with floral displays from the 20-26 May under the theme 'Flowers on Film'. In 2022 the theme was 'British Icons' in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. This year, the theme is 'Floral Feasts'.
Chelsea Physic Garden
Visit the historic Chelsea Physic Garden, just down the road from the Chelsea Flower Show grounds. The oldest botanic garden in London, the Chelsea Physic Garden was founded in 1673 and sits on the Thames Embankment.
Recently, the garden declared the world's first microclimate emergency. Entry to the garden starts at £13.
Belgravia in Bloom
Another London neighbourhood will be putting on floral displays from the 20-27 May. Belgravia in Bloom's theme of Floral Fun & Games will see boutiques and restaurants in the area adorned with crafted flower exhibits.
Biscuiteers
As part of Belgravia in Bloom, Biscuiteers Belgravia Cafe will be hosting floral themed DIY icing classes. They'll be hosting icing sessions during which you will learn to decorate floral biscuits. You'll leave the class with a beautiful tin of biscuits you have iced yourself
Tickets start at £90.
London's historical horticultural addresses
Discover where some of London's horticultural heroes and heroines lived by taking a wander through London's streets in search of their blue plaques. Your tour might include the home of Fanny Wilkinson, Britain's first professional female landscape designer.
Now You See Us: Women Artists in Britain, Tate Britain
The Tate Britain's new show focuses on some of the many over looked women in the art world from 1520 right through to 1920. It's an ambitious exhibition with some stunning examples of remarkable women artists who you probably have never heard of. Included is an entire room dedicated to floral and botanical artworks (one of the more 'respectable' genres for women to work within), which illuminates some astonishing and overlooked talent in the field of botanical illustration and floral art.
Tate Britain, until October 13 2024
The Tower of London's Moat in Bloom
Take a trip to the Tower of London to the Superbloom planting. It was planted in 2022 to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and was designed by horticulturalist and planting designer Nigel Dunnett. The Moat in Bloom will be open again from 23 May until 9 September.
