Chelsea Flower Show 2021: dates, tickets, transport advice and Covid safety measures
Read on for our at-a-glance guide to this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, including how to get tickets, where to dine and what to expect...
When is the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021?
2021 is a year like no other for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. For the first time in history, it is set to take place in September (rather than in May), in early autumn rather than spring.
Although a virtual Chelsea Flower Show took place in May 2021 and May 2020, the last time it took place live and in-person was in May 2019.
This year’s show will run for six days, from Tuesday September 21 to Sunday September 26. From Tuesday to Saturday visitors can enjoy the show from 8am until 8pm.
On Sunday September 26, it is open 8am – 5.30pm. At 4pm on Sunday, the famed plant sell-off begins (so it’s a good time to hang around if you hope to pick up a bargain).
Can I still buy tickets for the Chelsea Flower Show?
It’s not too late to purchase tickets for the Chelsea Flower Show. Tickets are available to buy here for both RHS members and members of the public.
The first two days of the show (Tuesday September 21 and Wednesday September 22 ) are RHS members only days, for which only RHS members can buy tickets and attend the show. Tickets for RHS members on these days are £94.75. Find out more about RHS membership here.
The show then becomes open for non members (and members too) from Thursday September 23 through to the last day, Sunday September 26.
Tickets for the public on these days are £83.75, while RHS members pay a reduced price of £66.75.
When is the best day to go?
Some people prefer to attend the Chelsea Flower Show on the opening day or early in the week, to get a first look at the gardens while the displays are fresh, and to discuss and share their experiences on social media while the hype surrounding the show is in full swing.
For others, it is preferable to avoid the initial rush and enjoy the show at leisure when the most-talked about displays will be less crowded.
Others prefer to attend on the last day, when many of the plants are sold off before the show officially closes.
Show guides can be bought for £12.25 (including postage) which will be mailed to you one week before the show.
Where is the Chelsea Flower Show 2021?
The location of the Chelsea Flower Show is Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3 4SR.
It has been held in the grounds of Royal Hospital Chelsea every year of its 108-year history since 1913, apart from gaps during the two World Wars and in 2020 because of the pandemic.
How do I get there?
Victoria is the nearest railway station and it's only a 15-minute walk to the grounds from there.
There will be shuttle buses to the showground from Battersea Park and Victoria Station. Due to Covid, the frequency of the service has been increased. Buses will be fitted with screens between the seats and hand sanitizer will be provided upon entry.
Alternatively, the nearest tube station is Sloane Square, served by the District and Circle lines. If you wish to drive, you can pre-book parking with your tickets.
If you would prefer to travel by bus, 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.
It is also possible to cycle to the show. Cycle racks are available at Burton’s Court Car Park, opposite the London Gate entrance (SW3 4SR). Finally, you can even arrive by river with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers to Cadogan Pier (a pleasant 15-minute stroll away) or Battersea Power Station.
Where to eat at the Chelsea Flower Show
There are plenty of ways to dine at the Chelsea Flower Show and no shortage of food and drink on offer for those who have built up an appetite admiring the displays.
There are cafes, food courts and picnic areas, and it is also possible to book a range of hospitality experiences, brunches, lunches and afternoon teas on site when you book your tickets.
Jardin Blanc with Raymond Blanc has an enchanting atmosphere. Packages are available including four-course dinners, live music, long lunches, champagne and a complimentary open bar. The Ranelagh Restaurant, meanwhile, is a “quintessentially English” restaurant offering a four-course package for £97 and a breakfast menu for £29 per person.
The Champagne and Seafood Restaurant is another Chelsea favourite for sustainable seafood platters, with walk-ins as well as pre-booked tables available.
Elsewhere, the Chelsea Brunch offers a formal a la carte brunch with champagne, and finally, The Drawing Room in collaboration with The Dorchester is not to be missed, with its floral-inspired Champagne breakfast, afternoon tea and drop-in bar bites.
Of course, there are many restaurants, pubs and bars surrounding the site which you may also wish to go to. The likes of the Gladwin brothers' well-loved restaurant Rabbit on the nearby King’s Road, for example, is launching a bespoke menu in celebration of the Chelsea Flower Show. Rabbit is also taking part in Chelsea In Bloom (which sees businesses across Chelsea create show -stopping floral arrangements during show week). The theme of this year’s Chelsea in Bloom is “Extraordinary Voyages”.
The best hotels closest to the Chelsea Flower Show
There are plenty of hotels close to the Chelsea Flower Show.
San Domenico House is a small boutique hotel 0.5 miles away. Our Telegraph hotel reviewer describes it as a “peaceful and private sanctum”.
A more “playful, contemporary” stay is The Artist Residence London, 0.6 miles away from the show in Pimlico. It’s a 19th-century pub reinvented as a hip hotel, with café and cocktail bar.
Within similar striking distance is 11 Cadogan Gardens, London’s only Relais & Châteaux hotel, and the peaceful Lime Tree hotel, which occupies two Georgian townhouses.
Of course, The Goring is a firm favourite with Chelsea Flower Show goers, with its red-liveried footmen, gardens and Michelin-starred dining, and the Knightsbridge Hotel is just a mile away.
What Covid safety measures will be in place?
There will be a number of Covid safety measures in place at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. Usually, the show runs for five days: this year, it will run for six, to give attendees more space.
The last live show in May 2019 capped the number of visitors at 168,500 spread over five days. This time, numbers will be capped at 142,000, spread over six days.
Currently, proof of a negative Covid test is not required for entry, but visitors are encouraged to take a lateral flow test before attending. Track and trace check-in will be required as per the guidance during show week
Exhibitors will be tested regularly. Cashless transactions are encouraged where possible, as are face coverings in enclosed areas. Hand sanitiser will be widely available on the site.
Other measures include socially distanced queueing systems at entrance gates and busy areas, extra parking and park and ride, spacious layouts to prevent crowds, and an enhanced cleaning regime. Most of the show gardens will have three open sides, making viewing much easier.
What are the highlights to look out for at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show?
The 'plant a tree for the Queen' initiative will take centre stage at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021. Visitors will be asked to plant a tree in honour of the Queen as they admire an RHS flagship garden on the famous ‘triangle’ – the largest show garden site at Chelsea. The display showcases the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, of which her son, the Prince of Wales is patron.
Other feature gardens include a “Garden of Hope” designed by Arit Anderson presented by the BBC One Show and the RHS, while the RHS COP26 garden calls for all to protect biodiversity and our planet ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference.
This year, gardens will also celebrate the nursing industry and pay tribute to the NHS (don’t miss the Finding Our Way – An NHS Tribute Garden’ by Naomi Ferrett-Cohen, in the sanctuary garden category).
Show garden The Florence Nightingale Garden - A Celebration of Modern Day Nursing designed by Robert Myers shines a light on the critical role nurses play in modern-day healthcare whilst celebrating the remarkable legacy of Florence Nightingale.
The Yeo Valley Organic Garden by Tom Massey supported by Sarah Mead will bring a slice of the Yeo Valley Farm in Somerset to SW3, inspiring visitors to adopt organic gardening practices and put nature first.
There are two new garden categories for 2021, balcony gardens and container gardens, which will provide inspiration for small-space gardening.
