Chelsea Flowershow have you been and any advice?.

Not been. but we are hoping to go next year. OH is a RHS member, and we plan to use this to get our tickets.

Comfy shoes, own food, camera.

Suncream or a pacamac [depending on the weather].

Yes, but next time I won't take my non-gardening Husband. I will wear very stout boots with toe and ankle protection, and will take a step to stand on, as I am short and couldn't see a blimmin' thing. I will also take a cattle-prod to get my revenge on the members of the public who are obviously faaaaaar more important than I!

Alternatively, I will volunteer as staff and see it being built.

Until then, I shall watch it on the telly!

We used to go regularly when, as a member of the RHS,. I used to get two free tickets to the members' day (Tuesday). We used to go by train from Derby, very early, so that we got into St Pancras about 7.30. We crossed London by tube, and got to the showground just as the gates were opening. It is the best time to get there because there arn't many people there and you can walk around at leisure, without being jostled. By the time you have been round most, if not all, of the show the site starts to fill up (ie lunchtime). Then is the best time to eat your picnic, or if you have seen all you want to see, leave the showground and find a good restaurant nearby.

We have also had a 'gardenfest' weekend. Travelled to London on the Friday, stayed in an hotel for the weekend, (in our case the Richmond Hill Hotel). Spent Saturday going round Kew Gardens. Sunday went to Wisley (free entry if you are a RHS member, and Sunday is members only day). Monday a bit of a rest day. Early entry Tuesday to Chelsea Flower Show, then back home.

I should have to say it is quite a few years since we last went (when it was the marquee, rather than the pavilions).

Would I recommend you go, most definitely, but the earlier you get there the more comfortable your trip round the show will be.

Unlike Glutton4, I shall not be watching on TV, as according to the TV coverage the 'show gardens' are the be all and end all. They are usually rubbish, and not something you would want in your back garden, aka not very good.

You get very little coverage on TV of the pavilions which, when we used to visit as far more interesting than the show gardens.

There is so much more there than the show gardens.

If you do go, I hope you enjoy your day.

valmarg

For me Chelsea is much too crowded and consequently very tiring. The regional flower shows and Hampton Court are on much larger sites so there is far less crowd pressure and a more relaxed enjoyable day can be had.

Does anyone know how many tickets a RHS member can buy? If you can buy more than 1, does the RHS member have to be with you when you go in?

My OH is a member and my parents want to come with us on a preview day.

4 tickets for RHS members, so fine to take your parents to the members only day on Tuesday. I have been a few times and go for the afternoon/evening which is enough. It gets quieter in the evening.

I agree that Hampton court is bigger and less frenetic, but watch out for the crowds heading for the station at the end of the show.

Has anyone who is going this year got their tickets yet? If not does anyone know when I can expect them.

I've been but wouldn't go again. I enjoyed the courtyard gardens, but didn't even get to see the show gardens, the queues were stupid.

It's very overcrowded, expensive and up its own...

I prefer the smaller shows, I always go on the last day, as you can pick up a bargain as most display plants are up for sale on the last day. I've had some cracking roses over the years.

Never been to Chelsea but love Tatton which is just down the road from me although always get annoyed when they refer to it in condesending terms on the TV as they tend to do about anything away from the capital.

I have been with my sister in law & her friend for the last two years and we will be going again this year. For us it is very much an annual "treat" day out, we arrive as soon as possible after opening and view the show gardens first. Unless you get to them first thing, are well over six foot, or are a pro wresler its very hard work to see them. After viewing the show gardens we take the rest of the show at leisure.

If you can afford to splash out on lunch in the onsite restaurant (bookable in advance) it is delicious and a real treat, but expensive at £50 per head! We did this the first year but not last year and regretted not doing so, so we've booked it again this year. We found last year that the food court area was a real scrum with very few seats. After all that walking around, having to stand to eat your lunch put a bit of a dampener on the rest of the day as it didn't give you a chance to recharge your batteries to tackle the rest of the show afterwards! Although booking a nearby restaurant outside of the show ground can work out a lot cheaper.

Oh, and take VERY comfy shoes!