We all know that the Chelsea Flower Show is the holy grail of garden design—a dazzling spectacle of cutting-edge design, rare plants, and enough floral inspiration to make you want to redesign your entire backyard. But here's the thing no one tells you before you book your flights and snag your tickets:

Chelsea can be an absolute zoo.

We're talking wall-to-wall people, long lines, and the kind of crowd density that competes with Times Square on New Year's Eve. If you dream of wandering leisurely through lush show gardens, soaking in every petal and perfectly pruned plant… Well, let's just say there's a strategy to making that happen.

The Myth of the All-Day Chelsea Experience

If you're flying all the way from the US, I get it—you want to make the most of it. But here's the truth: you do NOT need a full day at Chelsea.

I know, I know, it sounds crazy. It's the world's most famous flower show! Shouldn't you dedicate every waking hour to it? Nope. You can easily see enough in about three to four hours.

Beyond that, two things will happen:

1. Your feet will stage a full-scale rebellion.
2. Every flower will start blending together into one giant, colorful blur (even for the seasoned horticulturist).

You’ll get far more out of your visit if you go in with a game plan.

The Secret to Beating the Crowds

Mornings at Chelsea are brutal. Everyone arrives fresh-faced, enthusiastic, and ready to muscle their way into the best views. If you go in the morning, you’ll spend a lot of time politely (or not-so-politely) shuffling for space.

The trick? Go in the afternoon.

By then, the early birds have left, the show gardens are bathed in gorgeous golden-hour light, and—bonus—there’s a slim chance you could get to chat with one of the designers. Much better.

Setting Realistic Expectations (Because This Isn’t a Private Garden Stroll)

Let’s be realistic: Chelsea is busy. There’s no way around it. You will be navigating crowds, lining up for drinks, and occasionally having to dodge people taking dramatic selfies with the delphiniums. For the exterior show gardens, expect to join a line and shuffle forward slowly. You'll get your turn for a photo and a proper look, and while no one’s timing you with a stopwatch, the gentle nudge of the crowd will let you know when it's time to move on to the next stand.

The best approach? Accept it, embrace it, and take breaks.

There are plenty of places to sit, grab a drink, and just soak in the atmosphere. Also, bring a water bottle—especially if the sun decides to make a rare British appearance. You don’t want to be the person wilting faster than the floral displays.

Practical over Posh (Comfort is King)

Forget those photos of women dressed to the nines at Chelsea. Those are TV presenters or people who've never actually navigated the show before.

Wear your most comfortable shoes (even if they're ugly), dress in layers (British weather is notoriously fickle), and pack a light rain jacket with a hood. If you can, try to avoid umbrellas as they can be tricky to manage in crowds and could just make you "that person" blocking everyone's view.

What to Look Out for at Chelsea

Here's what deserves your undivided attention when you visit:

The Main Show Gardens – These are where sponsors like growers, nurseries or foundations drop serious money to create garden masterpieces that tell a story. Take photos of those design details and plant combinations you'll want to reference later. After the show these gardens are donated and moved to a new garden space.

The Artisan Gardens – Smaller, more intimate, and often more relevant to what you can actually create back home. They're tucked away down a wooded path where you can actually breathe and enjoy them without the crush.

The Great Pavilion – This is where the plant nerds (I say that with love) really shine. Talk directly with nursery owners about their specialty plants and discover varieties you've only seen in rare plant books. Make sure your phone is charged for all the plant photos you'll be taking.

Chelsea, the Smart Way

So, if you're making the trip, here's your game plan: 

• Skip the early-morning madness—go in the afternoon. 
• Give yourself three to four hours—it's enough, I promise.
• Wear layers, including waterproofs (England's May weather is notoriously fickle) and the most comfortable shoes you own. 
• Bring a water bottle—it's important to stay hydrated, especially on a hot day.
• Take breaks—explore the show at your own pace.
• Take photos—instead of taking notes of every plant.
• Enjoy the experience—it’s a world-renowned event, so take your time and savor the experience.

These are the tips our group of garden enthusiasts will follow on our tour to the Chelsea Flower Show this year. On this trip, we’ll take them not only to the show but also to a selection of iconic English gardens.

Here's a look at the renowned gardens we’ll visit on our Chelsea Flower Show & Great English Gardens 8-day tour.

Those who join us will have the chance to explore the epicenter of contemporary garden design, as well as some of the most breathtaking, soul-stirring landscapes—all while connecting with fellow plant lovers who share a common language (both English and plant-obsessed).

Because let's be honest—what could be better than talking shop with other design professionals while wandering through gardens that have inspired generations? Especially when someone else has handled all the logistics, secured special access to private gardens, and arranged, where possible, for the group to meet some actual gardeners and designers who maintain these gems. And speaking of meeting the gardeners... we’ve got some seriously cool connections lined up! We’ll be meeting Polly, the head gardener at Pettifers, and the owners or head gardener at the private garden Fairlight End. If Troy Scott Smith (the head gardener at Sissinghurst) happens to be in town, we'll definitely try to snag a quick pic and a chat with him—he's a busy guy though! 

Just imagine bringing home not only beautiful photos and memories, but new knowledge, plant combinations, and design solutions that will set your gardening skills apart for years to come. That's the real souvenir from England's garden scene—and it's worth every penny of the flight across the pond.