Chelsea Flower Show 2026: tickets, locations and everything to expect this year

The Avanade Intelligent Garden by Tom Massey and Je Ahn won a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2025

Eva Nemeth

The Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show, is one of the most highly anticipated events in any garden enthusiast's calendar. The five-day event, which this year takes place May 19-23, 2026, is an unmissable opportunity to see some of the most beautifully designed gardens from the most exciting talents in the industry.

Alongside the many show gardens (and ‘small show gardens’), there are a series of other garden displays which are grouped into three categories: ‘All About Plants’, ‘Sanctuary Gardens’ and ‘Balcony and Container Gardens’.

Some highlights we're excited for this year include Tom Stuart-Smith's Tate Britain garden, an ‘evocation’ of the new gardens that are being designed for the renowned art gallery in London's Pimlico, and are due to open in autumn 2026. Inspired by East Asian woodlands and featuring drought-resilient planting, this show garden will be a fascinating preview of one of the city's most exciting new green spaces. Also on the show gardens roster is one of our former Rising Star garden designers, Harry Holding, who is working with architect Alex Michaelis on The Eden Project: Bring Me Sunshine Garden, which is inspired by the landscapes of Morecambe Bay and is aimed at opening up the world of ‘green industry’ to young people who might be underrepresented in the sector. In a similar vein, we're very much looking forward to seeing Charlie Chase's garden designed with YoungMinds – the innovative space nurtures the development of young adults in the UK, while instilling in them the skills to create inspiring gardens of their own.

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Here is everything you need to know about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026:

The Royal Hospital Chelsea, the location of the Chelsea Flower Show each year

John Husband / Alamy Stock Photo

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is open from May 19-23, 2026, Tuesday to Saturday (8am-8pm Tuesday to Thursday, 8am-10pm on Friday, and 8am-5.30pm on Saturday).

Tuesday & Wednesday are the RHS Members’ Days, but from Thursday onwards it is open to all ticket holders, with the famous plant sell-off beginning at 4pm on Saturday.

The show takes place in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, an Old Soldiers' retirement home and nursing home for some 300 veterans of the British Army. It's a 66-acre site located on Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea. The entrance to the show is located on Royal Hospital Road, and the address of the Chelsea Flower Show is: London Gate, Royal Hospital Road, Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London SW3 4SR.

Sloane Square tube station (on the District and Circle Lines) is a 10-minute walk from the show-ground. If you're driving, it is highly recommended that you pre-book parking, both to save money and to guarantee yourself a space on the day. There are also shuttle buses to the show from Battersea Park and Victoria Station.

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Tickets can be bought online at rhs.org.uk. Tuesday and Wednesday's events are only open to members. Member tickets cost £96, while public tickets cost from £107.

The BBC will be hosting broadcasts throughout the week, which can be streamed on the iPlayer. It will be broadcast on BBC Two every evening at 8pm, as well as on the iPlayer. The award winners will begin to be announced on Tuesday, with the final one – the RHS People's Choice Award – announced Friday evening.

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There isn't an official dress code but the RHS suggests smart/casual attire, and crucially, comfortable shoes. A visit to the show involves a lot of walking and it’s worth planning ahead to avoid aching feet. As it’s the UK, don’t forget to check the weather forecast and pack umbrellas/jumpers accordingly.

Sloane Square tube station (on the District and Circle Lines) is just over a ten minute walk away.

There are also shuttle buses to the showground from Battersea Park and Victoria Station.

Visitors are welcome to bring picnics, though there are also plenty of food options on site. This includes a bookable catering facility providing three-course meals and afternoon tea, as well as a selection of food and drinks stands scattered throughout the venue.

All days are worth going but to beat the crowds go first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening. It's also worth becoming a member of the RHS, as you'll be entitled to tickets on members' day, which is less busy.

It's encouraged. Keep track of designs you love and plant names by taking photos.

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