Garden inspiration permalink
Chelsea Flower Show
This discussion has been closed.
-
Message 1.Â
Posted by Vixxihibiscus (U13865184) on Wednesday, 16th February 2011
Thinking of going to Chelsea this year but the tickets are extortionate!
Firstly...is it worth it. I would be taking my Gran so at would be a birthday gift to her so I want the best.
Secondly does anyone know of any promotional codes to get the tickets any cheaper?
Thanks in advance
-
Message 2
Posted by mattthegaffer (U14184801) on Wednesday, 16th February 2011
Hampton Court far far better in my opinion
-
Message 3
Posted by Vixxihibiscus (U13865184) on Thursday, 17th February 2011
What makes you say that Matt?
-
Message 4
Posted by Stressed out (U11163734) on Thursday, 17th February 2011
Codes try RHS01 and change the number on the end '02' '03' etc. (up to 10)
They are not very inventive with the codes..............................
As for Chelski it was small, boring and massively overpriced. But that's Londistan for you overblown, self indulgent and better watched on TV.
Depends what you go for, if you want to buy plants you don't see, look at everything else that has had a '0' stuck on the price to pay for the stand and be herded round the show gardens then its the place for you.
I had free tickets and I still wouldn't go again EVER -
Message 5
Posted by Vixxihibiscus (U13865184) on Thursday, 17th February 2011
Where would you recommend Rowan?
I must admit I'm horrified at the price of the tickets! They're extortionate.
We're both happy garden people who's gardens are the loves of our life. Also we're coming from Aberdeen in Scotland. That's a long trip to be "buying plants you don't see, look at everything else that has had a '0' stuck on the price to pay for the stand and be herded round the show gardens"
Where would you recommend? -
Message 6
Posted by Stressed out (U11163734) on Thursday, 17th February 2011
Vixxihibiscus:
Hampton Court is okay but again it has its downsides, display gardens are not as good as Chelski (because they don't throw as much money at them).
On the plus side you can buy plants. On the negative side to this they are expensive so are the sundries.
Having helped a friend who has a pitch at both Chelski and Hampton Court I can tell you that the cost of the stand is astronomical.
However my view of Chelski is a bit jaded and it is something I think you should really experience for yourself.
Its a long trip from up there to Londistan - I would be inclined to make a couple of days of it and go to Kew and Wisley - possibly a better bet than Chelski if you have not already seen the big glasshouses at Kew.
We normally only go to GW at the NEC in Birmingham now but that was pretty poor last year. Gardens were not that good the only good thing was the Whisky stand
I quite like Harrogate and Malvern but again can be hit and miss.
My main dislike about Chelski is not being able to buy plants and to be honest there was absolutely nothing there I wanted.
If you do go please post and let us know how you got on -
Message 7
Posted by Vixxihibiscus (U13865184) on Friday, 18th February 2011
My Gran (who is 75) and myself (29) are both massive garden fans. We live just outside Aberdeen in North Scotland. I think if we were going it would just be for the grandeur of it.
I'm thinking going to buy plants. Firstly plants in a hot car would probably die on the way up the road and secondly I'm not really swayed by "new, improved" plants. My garden is huge and to be honest unless it's a massive tree, it'd probably just get lost in the jungle!!!
I think I'll book it just for the experience. It does seem like the epitome of garden shows and it's a birthday present so wow factor is key. -
Message 8
Posted by mattthegaffer (U14184801) on Friday, 18th February 2011
I've been involved with a show garden at chelsea as a rep for the week.....it put me off for life.....was just rammed with people. I prefered Hampton Court mainly because there is more space and you can buy plants..the best bit. Ok the show gardens arent as extravagent as Chelsea but they are still pretty top notch
-
Message 9
Posted by TomBradbury (U3349234) on Saturday, 19th February 2011
Chelsea is the first 'society' event of the social calender for the year, so as well as having the gardening aficionado in great abundance, it also has lots of people who "do" attending. Hampton Court, I think, tends to be more commoners and those who have a genuine interest in gardening.
-
Message 10
Posted by Vixxihibiscus (U13865184) on Saturday, 19th February 2011
The votes are in and for the sheer over the top of it we are going to Chelski!
I called Gran and said "are you doing anything on the 26th of May", she said no and I said well write something on that day and when she had her pen poised I said "Going to Chelsea Flower Show"
She squealed. Neither of us have been before and I think it's one of those things you have to do before you die. Just for the complete excess of it all.
I've booked a week off so we'll do Kew, Wisley and some other sights too (thanks Rowancottage )
Now does anyone know a nice bank manager, I think I'm going to need another mortgage!!! -
Message 11
Posted by Vixxihibiscus (U13865184) on Saturday, 19th February 2011
Oh and many thanks to all for the advice
-
Message 12
Posted by Pete-Free (U7363826) on Monday, 21st February 2011
You've made the right decision Vixxihibiscus!
Imho there's nowhere like this flower show. Expensive, yes. Boring, never. It's vibrant, has loads of atmosphere and will offer all manner of inspiration. We usually go for the 3 pm entry on Day One when it's less busy and stay until we get thrown out. We also enjoy the fashions and celeb spotting I must say!
There'll be plenty of places for you and Gran to sit down when you're ready for a rest and a cuppa, or a Pimms or even a wee dram. Hope you've managed to get tickets.
RHS Wisley is fab too and if you're driving up the A1 home, Hatfield House garden is well worth a stop off. -
Message 13
Posted by elderman4 (U10843761) on Monday, 21st February 2011
I entirely agree Tim. I used to go every year, some time ago, just for the sheer joy of seeing all the gardens and of course the atmosphere on the Friday when they blew the whistle at 5pm and you could buy the plants!! The sights going home in the Tube were a delight!!!
Then they put the price up and up so that kept the rif-raf out, and excluded the Allotment Societies - whose interest I thought they catered for as well as the W.I. and the ordinary gardeners.
Now it is for the 'society people' and it's nice to be 'seen' at Chelsea. -
Message 14
Posted by koala_girl (U12702629) on Thursday, 24th February 2011
I would tend to agree with Tim too. Chelsea looks more like "society" and it also looks very crowded. I love Hampton Court. My friend and I get there before it opens in the morning and stay until it closes in the evening (with plenty of stops for cups of tea). There is lots to see and it is in a lovely setting. Last year I realised that you could get the program sent out a week before the show so we could study it in advance and plan what we wanted to see.
-
Message 15
Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Thursday, 24th February 2011
Just a note to say you can't buy plants to take away at Chelsea. You can only order plants for later delivery. You can buy plants at Hampton Court, Tatton and Malvern.
How about trying RHS Tatton Show near Manchester? Gentle park setting, lots of lovely plants, not so expensive (stand rates much lower than Chelsea) and much less far to transport your plants home. -
Message 16
Posted by irishcathy54 (U14407050) on Sunday, 27th February 2011
I come over from Ireland every second year to go to a garden show. Firstly I went to Malvern which was fantastic in my opinion, and last year I went to Tatton Park. My god I just loved it (we dont have anything as big or well run as these shows in Ireland) anyway both times I went mad buying plants and bearing in mind I was on a weeks holiday each time i.e. staying in hotel etc. I managed to keep all my plants alive and well in the car for the weeks duration. Firstly I put some in my freezer box without the lid, which meant I could water them daily without soaking the car. The rest I just kept in the plastic bags and watered gently to keep them alive. Didnt loose one plant either time. You are so lucky to have such a choice of shows to attend each year on your doorstep. Enjoy Chelsea.
-
Message 17
Posted by Vixxihibiscus (U13865184) on Tuesday, 1st March 2011
Cathy that's such a good story. I can just imagine! Passers by would have been thinking, someone needs to get that poor lady a real greenhouse!
I will enjoy it, I'm very excited and so is Gran, our planning has started already!
Eeeeek! -
Message 18
Posted by Vixxihibiscus (U13865184) on Friday, 3rd June 2011
So after 4 months of waiting with my ticket grasped in my sweaty palm, I finally went to Chelsea Flower Show for the first time and.....
Overpriced and overrated...but still something you need to do before you die. I'm very glad I went (if not for the trip to Barton Grange Garden Centre near Preston on the way home, where I bought all the plants I couldn't get at the show!)
The gardens were magnificent, especially Bunny Guinness' (my favourite) and quite spectacular! I was disappointed by the lack of plants (we went on the Thursday) and horrified by the price of those that were there but I was very satisfied on the way home that I'd "been there and done that".
Thanks for all the advice!
Vixxi
About this Board
Welcome to the new Gardening Board. If this is your first time, then make sure you check out the
or  to take part in a discussion.
The message board is currently closed for posting.
Weekdays 09:00-00:00
Weekends 10:00-00:00
This messageboard is .
Find out more about this board's
Search this Board
Â鶹Éç iD
Â鶹Éç navigation
Â鶹Éç links
Â鶹Éç © 2014 The Â鶹Éç is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.