Chelsea Flower Show

Festival Location: London, England

Festival Type(s): Flower Shows, Agricultural Fairs

by © Paul Dodson 2009

For five five days each and every May since it first broke ground in 1913, the 11 acre gardens of the Royal Hospital of Chelsea in London have undergone a colourful transformation. The result, the Chelsea Flower Show - the world's most famous flower show.

The Chelsea Flower Show is to floral enthusiasts, what Oktoberfest is to beer aficionados. Visitors travel from all corners of the globe to witness this floral extravaganza which in 2007 featured 20 show gardens (selected by a committee of horticultural experts), 27 small gardens in 3 categories - chic, city and courtyard - along with over 100 floral exhibitors in the Great Pavilion. The event attracts the world's foremosthorticulturalists and has long proved to be a barometer for gardening trends.

Budding gardeners can shop to the heart's content and if you time your run right you can even pick up some of the floral arrangements themselves, which become available on the last day of the show.

And when it all gets too bloomin' much, you can take time out at one of the many rest areas or designated eating areas.

Be warned, this is London in May, book early, pack a brolly and expect anything.