I visited the Chelsea Flower Show for the very first time in May 2025. I’ve wanted to go for a long time and finally made it, although I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I had a mix of excitement, curiosity and a few doubts.
I’ve always been fascinated by the beauty of gardens, the storytelling that plants and spaces can hold, and the connection between creativity and nature. But as someone who cares deeply about purpose and sustainability, I had a few reservations about the Chelsea Flower Show.
I’ve written this as an honest account of what I thought and experienced and also tried to include some photos to give you an idea of what its like. I had seen lots of coverage and photos of the Chelsea Flower Show over the years, but still never really knew what it was going to be like. I’m hoping this might give you a little bit of an insight beyond the photos and videos of all the prettiest bits that people share!
Before I Went: Some Thoughts and Questions
As a creative business owner whose work is rooted in sustainability and wellbeing, I had a few internal hesitations:
What’s the carbon footprint of a show like this?
Could all this expense and spectacle be doing more good?
Who has access to show their work here and who doesn’t?
Similarly, who has access to visit and who doesn’t?
I probably don’t know enough to make these judgments or answer these questions, but they were in my head and the point of writing this is to be an open and honest account! That said, I also recognised how many brilliant charities and small businesses are platformed here (and saw this in action). I wanted to experience it for myself, then reflect honestly on what I found.
During the Show: Quiet and Noise
The Glasshouse Garden sketch with the garden beyond
I arrived really early, just before it opened and was allowed in at 7:30am (half an hour before my ticket said and mid-way through eating my breakfast). I expected crowds immediately, and when we were let in, people were almost running to the show gardens, which was very strange! However it was pleasantly calm for the first couple of hours which gave me a little time to wander and sketch, and settle into the space. Had I realised how busy it was going to get, I might have explored more, but was glad to spend time taking it in slowly rather than rushing to see everything immediately.
By 10:30am, the crowds really started building, and by 11:30am it was packed and I was starting to feel pretty overstimulated. As someone who can get overwhelmed easily, I found myself escaping to the loo at one point, just to sit somewhere quiet for 10 minutes. (I later heard someone say ‘I don’t know how people do it, obviously we have the VIP area to retreat to, but I don’t know how you do it without that’ - a fair albeit privileged comment to make)
Despite the busyness, there were so many joyful moments:
I loved the vibrant combinations of planting and structure, they were really inspiring and there were lots I wanted to recreate in our own tiny garden at home.
The houseplants (I love house plants) were a surprise highlight with really dynamic and unique displays and interesting varieties. (Wondering now if we should rig up our biggest monstera from the ceiling with its roots dangling into a container of water. That would certainly save the leaves from being battered by clambering children)
The stories behind the spaces made it for me, like the ADHD Foundation Garden by Katy Terry, where understanding the deeper meaning and narrative really enhanced the beauty and The Glasshouse Garden, which I had been following in the lead up to the show
I also managed to sketch and paint while I was there, something that actually really grounded me throughout the day. It gave me space to slow down and see more clearly. Drawing or painting something means I look so much closer and in a very different way, which I really love. You can see a bit about what I produced before, during and after the show in my blog series starting with The Glasshouse Garden blog here.
Honest Thoughts: Inspiration vs. Overwhelm
There was a lot I loved. The craft, the storytelling, the sense of celebration, the buzz, the theatre. But I also left feeling utterly exhausted.
I had an awful headache by the end of the day and felt completely wiped out the next. It made me realise just how different this experience was from, say, a peaceful visit to Knepp Estate or painting quietly under the trees (something I did recently which felt really revitalising).
So many people have told me that the Chelsea Flower Show is their favourite day of the year and I get it. The energy, the community, the spectacle. But I think it’s important to also recognise that big events can be a lot for some of us.
For me, it’s the slower moments, things like sitting quietly sketching, noticing the detail of the colour and texture, that really stuck and actually kind of got me through.
Practical Tips if You’re Thinking of Going
Go early to enjoy the quieter hours before it gets too busy. (You could also go late too, but the Friday I was there was an evening event too so people were pouring in at 5:30pm, so just check that before you go!)
Take a sketchbook or notebook, even if you don’t draw, it can be a great way to jot down ideas, make notes, write if you are inspired to do so, or draw. It’s also a way to remember things that’s not just a photo on your phone. I find it sticks in my head much better than a photo to be lost in the never ending camera roll.
Scout out quieter toilets some had massive slow moving queues, but the biggest one in the middle was only ever a couple of people queuing. It seems really obvious to me that you would walk the extra 5-10 minutes to get to that one, or plan it into your exploring, but maybe people didn’t realise.
Wear comfy shoes it’s a lot of walking and although I had pretty comfy shoes on, but the end of the day my feet were pretty uncomfortable (and that was with an hour here and there sitting and painting). Maybe if you have a foldable stool, take that too! There weren’t that many seats, especially not where you could see the gardens or in relation to the number of people there, so it’s something to consider.
Take snacks (always snacks). There were great food options, I had an early lunch (after my very early start) which worked out well, but later on the food outlets and picnic area (where I did not sit to eat) was heaving. I was glad to have some pre planned energy boosting snacks including blueberries, a banana, nuts and some sweets for when I really needed them!
If you need to, give yourself permission to pause. I think sometimes we are on autopilot to make the most of every moment we have in these kind of settings (I am anyway, especially paying £138 for a ticket), however the point of it is to enjoy it, so factor in a rest if you can. Under a tree, on a bench (if you find a seat grab it), in a lunch spot wherever you can, it might help you get some energy back for the next walk around and just make you enjoy it that little bit more.
Final Thoughts: Is It For You?
The Glasshouse Garden watercolour illustration in front of the garden itself at Chelsea Flower Show 2025
Chelsea Flower Show was inspiring, especially as an illustrator, it was colourful, and full of creative brilliance. I’m really glad I went, and I loved capturing the experience through my sketches and paintings.
If you love plants and gardens lets be honest, it’s probably going to be for you, especially if you’re happy with crowds and lots to see.
But if you’re someone who prefers slower, more grounded experiences, or would rather spend time in nature itself (rather than the slightly strange but beautiful staged setups only there for a week or so) maybe it’s not top of your list.
Perhaps you do go one year out of curiosity, if like me you’ve always wondered what it’s like. However I would just recommend combining a visit like this with a quiet day either side, taking just a morning or afternoon slot would be ideal (they sell out quicker though), or maybe like me, finding your own creative rituals to weave in to ease you through.
Final Thoughts: Was it for me?
For me, I was very glad I went and enjoyed the experience on the whole. I came away feeling very inspired by the stories and powerful narratives of some of the gardens, but wondering if the event and concept as a whole really aligns with my values or not.
I thought it perhaps an excessive expense to set the gardens up for the week, but loved hearing about where each garden was ending up. It’s brilliant how people and spaces that haven’t had anything like this are able to enjoy these wonderful, inspiring creations for the foreseeable future.
I hadn’t really answered a lot of my earlier questions, but I feel I have so much more insight about the show. Unless I end up there for work, I will probably choose to be inspired from my sofa / desk next year, and seek out gardens and spaces that are already in existence. Those that have existing stories, history and relationships with nature. Places like Charleston Farmhouse, Great Dixter, the National Trust’s collections. Also, those that are carving out a new story, with purpose and impact, like nature restoration or regeneration. Places like Knepp in Sussex and Cabilla in Cornwall (and the long list of places that inspire me for all the other reasons.)
A reminder that this is only my experience and I encourage you to be curious and explore yourself, not to be too driven by what I’ve said but allow it to feed into the overall picture. I had only heard or seen good things and while this is not a negative, I wanted to share my honest opinion and experience.
If you’ve been to Chelsea, I’d love to hear your thoughts, what did you notice? What inspired you? Have you been again?