Chelsea Flower Show 2018: Where is it, what's the dress code, and how do you buy tickets?

Marvel at vibrant flower displays and innovative garden designs

(AFP/Getty Images)

For horticultural enthusiasts, the Chelsea Flower Show is one of the coveted fixtures in the garden show calendar.

Year upon year, thousands of people descend upon Chelsea to marvel at vibrant flower displays and innovative garden designs.

This year’s show has already played host to the Queen and has introduced a new late event so that people can enjoy the wonders of the gardens at twilight.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Chelsea Flower Show:

What is it?

The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) Chelsea Flower Show is an annual garden show that showcases extravagant flower and landscape displays.

Regarded as being one of the world's most prominent flower shows, it can trace its origins all the way back to 1862, when it was known as the RHS Great Spring Show.

Prior to 1862, the RHS had exhibited flower displays in its garden in Chiswick for 29 years.

Today, the Chelsea Flower Show still garners a substantial amount of attention when it takes place every year.

157,000 people attend the show every year, paying for tickets in advance.

This year’s show boasts a number of unique exhibits, such as the Health and Wellbeing Gardens, the Space to Grow Gardens and the new Chelsea Late Event that takes place at twilight in the Artisan Gardens.

Is there a dress code?

The RHS outlines no official dress code for the Chelsea Flower Show.

However, there are apparently a number of unspoken rules that many attendees may choose to follow.

According to luxury furniture brand Oka, women may decide to wear day dresses with a floral print for the occasion while men may opt for a jacket and tie.

However, there are no guidelines that state that women must wear dresses.

It’s advised to wear flat or sturdy shoes, as you’re most likely to spend a lot of time on your feet.

One accessory that is supposedly frowned upon at the show is hats, as wearing one can obstruct the view of the gardens for other individuals.

Where is it held?

The Chelsea Flower Show is being held at Royal Hospital Chelsea, with the entrance located at London Gate on Royal Hospital Road.

The show is a ten-minute walk from Sloane Square tube station and approximately a 20-minute walk from Victoria train station.

If travelling by bus, it’s important to note if taking the 360 that the ‘CH’ bus stop at the Bull Ring Gate along Chelsea Embankment is going to be suspended throughout the week.

There is also parking available in Battersea Park, with spaces that can be purchased when you book your tickets.

According to the RHS, there are more than 2,000 spaces available over the course of the show.

When does it take place?

The Chelsea Flower Show takes place for five days in May.

This year’s show starts from Tuesday May 22 and will held until Saturday May 26.

The show will be open from 8am until 8pm Tuesday to Friday, and then 8am until 5.30pm on Saturday.

Who attends?

The Chelsea Flower Show is famously attended by members of the royal family, in addition to visitors from around the world.

Members of the royal family will often visit the show during a preview of the displays that have been created in keeping with the royal patronage of the gardening charity.

Several notable individuals have already been spotted at this year's show, including actress Joanna Lumley, food writer Jasmine Hemsley, chef James Martin, chef Ainsley Harriott and of course, the Queen.

What are the awards?

The Chelsea Flower Show offers a number of awards, including medals for individual gardens, special awards for the displays featured within the Great Pavilion and prizes for the best floral arrangements.

This year, Japanese landscape artist Kazuyuki Ishihara was awarded a gold medal for his ‘O-Mo-Te-Na-Shi No NIWA’ garden.

The inspiration behind the garden’s design came from the Japanese concept of ‘omotenashi’, which centres around hospitality.

How much are tickets?

Ticket prices vary for members and non-members of the RHS.

The price varies from £35 to £89 for members and ranges from £45 to £105 for non-members.

People can only buy four tickets at a time and there isn’t a reduced price for children.

Children under the age of five aren’t permitted to attend the show.

Tickets can be purchased from the online box office.