Show information
The showground
Please note that this is an outdoor event on open parkland and is subject to varying weather and ground conditions.
Check the weather forecast for the day of your visit and wear suitable clothing and footwear.
Cloakroom/left luggage
There is a small cloakroom facility in Ranelagh Gardens on North Ranelagh Way, close to the Ranelagh Food Court, staffed during open hours of the show.
On Saturday the cloakroom will remain open until 6pm. Bags etc. may be searched when they are handed in.
All items are left at the owners risk, and the organisers are not responsible for any items which are lost or stolen.
Please note: this is a small cloakroom with limited availability, and it operates on a first come first served basis.
Gardening advice
The RHS Gardening Advice Service offers free advice to all visitors to the show and can be found in the Great Pavilion.
Music
There is a bandstand in the picnic/seating area in Ranelagh Gardens. Please note that the music programme is subject to last minute alteration and that timings are approximate. There will be a 10 minute interval in the middle of each set.
Tuesday 20 May
10.30am - 12.30pm: Guards Association Band
1 - 3pm: Premier Brass
3.30 - 5.30pm: Guards Association Band
Wednesday 21 May
10.30am - 12.30pm: Jonathan Ansell
1 - 3pm: Jive Aces
3.30 - 5.30pm: Guards Association Band
Thursday 22 May
10.30am - 12.30pm: Premier Brass
1 - 3pm: Jive Aces
3.30 - 5.30pm: Guards Association Band
Friday 23 May
10.30am - 12.30pm: Premier Brass
1 - 3pm: One More For The Road
3.30 - 5.30pm: Guards Association Band
Saturday 24 May
11.30am - 1.30pm: Premier Brass
2 - 4pm: Guards Association Band
Information stands
Show information stands, manned by RHS staff and volunteers, are on Eastern Avenue and Southern Road.
How to find the show:
Getting to the show
The address of the Showground is Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London SW3.
We strongly recommend that visitors travel by public transport, as parking in the area is extremely limited. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is located within the Transport for London congestion zone.
To find out more on how to navigate to the showground from other areas of London, go to the Transport for London Journey Planner
Public transport information
Underground
Sloane Square station (on the District and Circle lines) is a 10-minute walk from the Showground.
PLEASE NOTE:
On Saturday 24 May services on the CIRCLE LINE will be suspended due to planned engineering works.
On Saturday 24 services on the DISTRICT LINE will be suspended between Embankment and Whitechapel due to planned engineering works.
Please use alternative London Underground lines or London Buses services.
Please click here to visit the TFL website for further information.
Train
Victoria is the nearest mainline station, and a shuttle bus will operate from Victoria Train Station to the Showground (see above for details).
Further information
London Transport: www.tfl.gov.uk; 020 7222 1234
National Rail Enquiries: 08457 484950
Buses
Bus numbers 11, 137, 211, 239, 360 and 452 stop closest to the Showground, while numbers 19, 22, 319 and C1 stop at Sloane Square.
Special Chelsea Flower Show bus from Victoria
London General operates a special bus service between Victoria Train Station and the Chelsea Flower Show from 7am until 8pm each day (6pm on Saturday).
Buses operate at frequent intervals between Victoria Train Station (Hudson's Place) and the Showground at the Barrack Gate in Chelsea Bridge Road.
Adult: £2 single, £3 return
Children, Senior Citizens and valid Oyster card or Travelcard holders: £2 single, £2.50 return.
We are sorry, but no other concessions are available on this service, and bus passes, freedom cards or TfL tickets are not accepted.
Parking
Public parking (including spaces for orange/blue badge holders) is available in Battersea Park on a first come, first served basis. Battersea Park is approximately 25 minutes walk from the show. There are over 2,000 parking spaces available Tuesday to Friday and 500 spaces available on Saturday in designated car parks only.
Alternatively, buses operate at frequent intervals between Battersea Park and the Showground’s Bull Ring Gate.
Please note: there will be a charge for this service. Battersea Park is outside the Transport for London congestion zone.
Parking costs
Wandsworth Council parking charges apply. There are no reduced-rate parking fees for disabled visitors.
Cars: £25 per day, £15 after 2.30pm
Motorcycles: FREE
Coach parking
Coach companies must apply for a police set down/pick up permit in advance. To apply, fax details of the number of coaches and day(s) of attendance, name and address to 01268 571709 or e-mail chelseacoaches@rhs.org.uk
Coach parking is available as follows:
Battersea Park
Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ (Entrance via Albert Gate off Albert Bridge Road)
Tel: 020 8871 7218 (advance bookings available only)
Tariff: £30 per day
N.B. Coach parking is not available in Battersea Park on Saturday 24 May.
Seagrave Road - Earls Court
Seagrave Road - Earls Court
Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London SW5
Tel: 08718 719809 (Please note this number is for general enquires and pre-booking. Coaches will be parked on a first come first served basis).
Tariff: up to 2 hours: £12.50; 2-4 hours: £25; 4-6 hours: £35; 6-10 hours: £47.50; Pre-book: £30 for the day
Accommodation
Expotel Hotel Reservations are the official hotel and travel agency for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The company can provide you with accommodation at discounted rates in hotels convenient to the Showground.
For enquiries call 020 7372 2001 or fax 020 7624 4847.
Alternatively, contact Expotel at events@expotel.com, or access the web page which features all of the hotels available by going to www.expotel.com/cfs2008. Please quote CFS2008 when contacting Expotel.
Top tips on getting the most out of your day
The RHS is always working to improve visitor comfort at the show, but to help you make the most of your day, here are some insider tips from the RHS on making your visit to the show as enjoyable as possible.
- Arrive early to enjoy the show before visitor numbers peak- doors open at 8am.
- Buy a show catalogue to plan your day and what you want to see - catalogues cost £5 (plus £1.50 p&p in advance). Consult the map in the show catalogue.
- When the Main Avenue is congested, head into the Great Pavilion, or to Western Avenue and Royal Hospital Way.
- Pre-book a table for lunch in the Rock Bank Restaurant, where you can treat yourself to a full three-course lunch. To pre-book a table call 0845 260 7000 during office hours.
- Take a bite to eat outside the busy times of 11.30am – 2.30pm.
- Head for the catering area in the Northwest corner of the site by Creek Gate where you will find hot and cold meals from baguettes to jacket potatoes and ice cream.
- Toilets in Western Avenue are likely to have shorter queues.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be on your feet for much of the day.
- Bring a waterproof coat with a hood in case of rain, instead of an umbrella as these get in the way in crowded areas.
- Do not carry large rucksacks or bags around the show with you - these get in the way of other visitors. If you are bringing a picnic or any large bags, check them into the cloakroom until you need them.
Show catalogue
The official show catalogue is a great way to plan your day. They cost just £5. It is now not possible to buy them in advance and they will have to be bought on the day.
The catalogue includes a site plan, detailed description and design illustration for each show garden and an introduction to the small gardens.
On top of all this, the catalogue also includes a large scale plan of the Great Pavilion and details on every exhibit making it the perfect tool to help you get the most out of your visit and make sure you see everything you want to see.