Your guide to London during Chelsea Flower Show week
Every May, the Royal Borough of Chelsea becomes the centre of the horticultural world as it hosts the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show. From 20–24 May 2025, around 150,000 visitors will descend on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea to explore cutting-edge garden design, vibrant floral displays, and innovations in sustainable gardening, all under the show’s theme: Your Story, Your Space. This year’s programme includes the unveiling of Rosa ‘Catherine’s Rose’ by Harkness Roses, honouring the Princess of Wales and celebrating the restorative power of nature. But even if you haven’t secured tickets to the show itself, there are plenty of events and experiences nearby to get swept up in the floral festivities.
Chelsea in Bloom
Chelsea in Bloom 2024. Image credit MTotoe.
#FLODown: Running alongside the main show from 19–25 May, Chelsea in Bloom transforms the King’s Road and surrounding streets into a fashion-forward floral fantasy. This year’s theme, Flowers in Fashion, invites some of the King’s Road’s most iconic brands to dress their storefronts in creative, couture-inspired botanical designs. Start at Sloane Square to catch the biggest installations, then wander through hidden mews and boutique-lined side streets to discover more.
Date: 19–25 May 2025. Location: Chelsea, SW3. Price: Free. chelseainbloom.co.uk
Belgravia in Bloom
Belgravia in Bloom. Image credit MTotoe.
#FLODown: Just around the corner, Belgravia in Bloom also runs from 19–25 May, with its 2025 theme: Seasons. Floral installations represent spring, summer, autumn, and winter across the neighbourhood. Key areas to explore include Eccleston Yards, Motcomb Street, and Elizabeth Street — with a special mention for Neill Strain’s usual showstopping display on West Halkin Street.
Date: 19–25 May 2025. Location: Belgravia, SW1. Price: Free. belgravialdn.com
Brompton in Bloom
The inaugural Brompton in Bloom will take place from 19 - 25 May 2025.
#FLODown: New to the scene, Brompton in Bloom (19–25 May) adds another layer of floral flair in the stylish Brompton Cross area, between Chelsea and South Kensington. With Draycott Avenue newly pedestrianised, expect vibrant installations, alfresco dining at Daphne’s, a charming Brompton Bird Trail for families, and the Petals Club for flower lovers at Bibendum. Floral exhibitions, boutique displays, and a Brazilian juice bar at Volta do Mar round out this chic celebration.
Date: 19–25 May 2025. Location: Brompton Cross, SW3. Price: Free. bromptoncross.london
Sketch in Bloom: A Jane Austen Tribute
Sketch In Bloom 2025. © Mark Cocksedge.
#FLODown: Over in Mayfair, Sketch in Bloom celebrates the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen with a floral takeover inspired by her most beloved novels. Until 1 June, floral designers bring the pages of Emma, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility to life with installations and romantic Regency aesthetics. Don’t miss the themed afternoon tea (£115 per person), served in silver teaware with live classical music and Friday performances of scenes from Emma in the Gallery restaurant.
Date: 1 May – 1 June 2025. Location: Sketch, 9 Conduit Street, W1S 2XG. sketch.london
Gett’s Flower Cab Pop-Up at Sloane Square
Gett, London’s black taxi app, will celebrate the Chelsea Flower Show with a very special Flower Cab experience in Sloane Square.
#FLODown: Gett, London’s black taxi app, are celebrating the Chelsea Flower Show with a very special Flower Cab experience on 23–24 May at Sloane Square. A fleet of their iconic black cabs will be dressed in fresh flowers by Warren Bushaway, transforming them into beautiful, flower-covered showstoppers. Visitors can hop in for a free ride and enjoy a tour of Chelsea in Bloom – London’s biggest free flower festival – or a complimentary trip to the Chelsea Flower Show, if attending.
Date: 23 May 2025: 12pm–8pm; 24 May 2025: 10am–6pm. Location: Sloane Square. Price: Free.
Cecil Beaton at the Garden Museum
Cecil Beaton by Cecil Beaton, 1960s © Cecil Beaton Archive, Condé Nast.
#FLODown: Just a short journey from Chelsea, the Garden Museum presents a beautifully curated exhibition dedicated to the celebrated British photographer, designer, and diarist Cecil Beaton. Known for his iconic portraits of royalty, celebrities, and artists, Beaton also had a lifelong passion for gardens, which frequently featured in his photography, costume designs, and personal writings. This exhibition delves into the rich intersection of horticulture and high society through Beaton’s lens, showcasing rare photographs, sketches, letters, and personal artefacts that reveal his romantic fascination with floral aesthetics and cultivated landscapes. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in the glamour of mid-century Britain and the allure of English gardens.
Date: Ongoing during May 2025. Location: Lambeth Palace Rd, SE1 7LB. Price: from £14. gardenmuseum.org.uk
Art Exhibitions: Barbican, National Gallery & More
Encounters: Giacometti at the Barbican, with Bhabha’s Mask of Dimitrios (2019) in the foreground. Photograph: Max Creasy/Barbican Art Gallery.
#FLODown: Chelsea Flower Show is the perfect opportunity to explore some of the great institutions’ standout exhibitions currently on in London — even those slightly further afield. From Siena: The Rise of Painting and José María Velasco: A View of Mexico at the National Gallery, to Victor Hugo: Astonishing Things at the Royal Academy of Arts, and the striking Giacometti x Huma Bhabha exhibition at the Barbican, alongside the immersive Feel the Sound. Click here to discover more art exhibitions opening in London in May 2025.
Date: various during May 2025. Location: Various – SW3, SE1, WC2. Price: Entry fees vary; many permanent collections are free.
London’s Gardens & Conservatories
Barbican Conservatory.
#FLODown: Explore some of London’s most iconic gardens and conservatories. Just a short walk from the Chelsea Flower Show, you’ll find the historic Chelsea Physic Garden, founded in 1673 and renowned for its rare medicinal plants and timeless charm. Alternatively, head east to the Barbican Conservatory—a hidden tropical oasis of palms, orchids, and cascading waterfalls nestled within one of the city’s most striking architectural landmarks. Click here to discover more of London’s green spaces.
Location: Chelsea & Barbican. Price: from £8–£14.
