Chelsea Flower Show 2018: dates, tickets, transport advice and the best day to go
The Chelsea Flower Show, which will this year comprise of 10 show gardens and 16 smaller gardens, opened to the public on Tuesday and will remain open until Saturday 26 May. The showstopper of last year's exhibition was James Basson's M&G Garden, which was inspired by the principles of ecological sustainability.
The aim of the garden was to show of how diverse Malta's different ecosystems are, and it featured unusual plants from Malta (with special permission from the Maltese government) including the Euphorbia melitensis (Maltese spurge), Salsola melitensis (Maltese salt tree) and Limonium melitense (Maltese sea lavender).
This year is set to be just as exciting, with gardens inspired by the the Western Cape of South Africa, the Yorkshire Dales and the sprawling Chinese city of Wuhan on the cards. If you want to see them in person, here is how to buy tickets and get to the show.
When is the Chelsea Flower Show?
The Chelsea Flower Show, the world's most prestigious flower show is taking place at The Royal Hospital in Chelsea from May 22-26 2018.
Opening times
Tuesday - Friday (22-25 May) 8am-8pm
Saturday (26 May) 8am-5:30pm
Where is the Chelsea Flower Show 2018?
London Gate, Royal Hospital Road, Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3 4SR
How do I get there?
Tube and bus
Sloane Square tube station (on the District and Circle lines) is a 10-minute walk from the showground. Bus numbers 11, 137, 211, 360, 170, 44 and 452 stop closest to the showground, while bus numbers 19, 22, 319 and C1 stop at Sloane Square.
Plan your journey via tube and bus with Transport for London.
Rail
London Victoria is the nearest train station to the show. For more information on rail services, visit the National Rail website.
Shuttle bus service
Transport for London operates a shuttle bus service from 7am to 8:30pm Tuesday to Friday (shuttle finishes at 7:20pm Saturday).
Tuesday 22 May-Friday 25 May
The Chelsea Flower Show shuttle bus number 811 will depart from Victoria Station, Buckingham Palace Road stop Z5 every 10-15 minutes from 7am-5pm.
The 811 departs from Chelsea Bridge Road (closest exit to Barrack Gate) every 10 minutes from 10:30am-8:30pm.
Saturday 27 May
Buses will depart from Victoria Station, Buckingham Palace Road stop Z5 every 10-15 minutes from 7am-4pm.
The 811 will depart from Chelsea Bridge Road (closest exit to Barrack Gate) every 10 minutes from 10:30am-7:20am.
Prices:
£4 adult single, £4 concession single (senior citizens, children and travelcard holders)
£6 adult return, £5 concession return
Cycling
Cycle racks are available at Burton's Court car park, opposite the London entrance - post code SW3 4SR.
Parking
Parking is available at Battersea car park, and can be pre-booked with your tickets. Battersea car park is located outside the Transport for London congestion zone, and is approximately 20 minutes' walk from the show.
Alternatively, a park & ride service is available, the cost of which is included in the parking charge; buses, including a mobility bus, operate at frequent intervals between Battersea Park and the showground's Bull Ring Gate entrance.
There are more than 2,000 spaces available from Tuesday to Saturday.
Sat nav
If you are parking at Battersea Park and using a sat nav, please use the postcode SW11 4BY, which will take you straight to the Rosary Gate entrance.
River services
You can travel with the MBNA Thames Clippers to Cadogan Pier (RHS members receive a third off fare).
Coach travel and parking
Please be aware that visitors with an afternoon ticket (valid from 3:30pm) or an evening ticket (valid from 5:30pm) cannot be admitted earlier than the times specified. Therefore, please do not drop your passengers off too early, as this will cause severe traffic and congestion.
Coach parking is available at Battersea Park:
Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ (entrance via Rosary Gate off Queenstown Circus) tariff: £45 per day.
Will Harry and Meghan be going?
Each year, members of the Royal family visit the Chelsea Flower Show the afternoon before it opens to the public. Prince Harry has visited the show many times before, including in 2015 when he unveiled a garden created by his charity Sentebale.
After it was revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will delay their honeymoon to go straight back to work in the week after their wedding, many wondered if the flower show would be their first engagement as a married couple.
However it has been confirmed that the couple's first public appearance together after their wedding will be at a birthday party for the Prince of Wales, hosted by the Queen on Tuesday May 22. Celebrations are set to include live entertainment, speeches and a tea party in the palace grounds.
When is the best day to go?
When it comes to the Chelsea Flower Show, the earlier you visit, the better. The first two days of the show (May 22-23) are for RHS members only, but for £45.75 you can become a member and have access to all gardens throughout the year. Visiting on these days will mean less crowds and fresher displays.
If visiting later on in the week, it is best to go early in the morning or later on, in the early evening; the crowds tend to peak in the middle of the day.
Buy your tickets from the RHS website now to avoid disappointment
Is your garden a prize winner? We'd like our readers to share photos of their own green spaces, and we will publish the best images online. Please send a photo of your garden to mypic@telegraph.co.uk
