Following its postponement due to the pandemic, Chelsea’s prestigious annual floral art show and London’s largest free flower festival Chelsea in Bloom is returning, running from September 20 to 25, and it’s set to be more breath-taking and brilliant than ever.

Coinciding with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show, there will be a wealth of exciting things to see and do as Sloane Street is transformed into a vibrant and verdant wonderland reflecting the theme of ‘Extraordinary Voyages’, inspired by Around The World in 80 Days, the 1872 novel by Jules Verne.

Evoking the spirit of optimism, adventure and the golden age of travel, the neighbourhood’s boutiques, restaurants and hotels will be expressing their own unique interpretation of the theme by adorning themselves with elaborate fresh-floral displays to compete for the hotly contested Chelsea in Bloom awards, with many other special activities planned to celebrate the floral extravaganza.

For more information on Chelsea in Bloom and to vote in the People’s Champion award (voting opens on September 21), please visit chelseainbloom.co.uk/participants-voting.

Until then, here’s our guide to the unmissable highlights during this year’s Chelsea in Bloom.

Art and Culture

RHS x Saatchi Gallery Exhibition
Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, SW3 4RY | 020 7811 3070

The fascinating RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show is returning to the Saatchi Gallery. The exhibition will feature more than 200 of the best botanical artworks and garden photography by 34 global artists, including an array of intricate and scientifically accurate botanical illustrations by 15 artists and portfolio collections from 19 photographers that will all compete for an RHS Medal.

Open from Saturday, 18 September to Sunday, 3 October, admission is free for Saatchi Gallery members and RHS members. Non-members can book tickets here.

Boodles Secret Garden
6 Sloane Street, SW1X 9LE | 020 7235 0111

Boodles’ ‘Secret Garden’ jewellery collection was originally created to mark the release of Sky’s 2020 film, The Secret Garden. Now, it forms the inspiration behind the design of Boodles’ inaugural garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this autumn, designed by British landscape designer, horticulturist and gardener Tom Hoblyn.

In reference to the snowdrop motif within the Boodles ‘Secret Garden’ collection, Hoblyn’s design for the Boodles garden includes a number of references to the tiny white blooms, notably the acis autumnalis (autumn snowflake), which will mark the first time that this member of the snowdrop family will be displayed at the Flower Show.

Another Chelsea ‘first’ is the inclusion of dahlia campanulata (weeping tree dahlia) and fuchsia magellanica ‘molinae’ (hummingbird fuchsia).

Dining and Drinking

Manicomio
83-85 Duke of York Square, SW3 4LY | 020 7730 3366

Popular Italian restaurant Manicomio is launching a special Chelsea in Bloom menu. The exclusive menu includes treats like the rose petal martini aperitif, a starter of fried zucchini flowers, London burrata and miso-yuzu dressing, and a poached peach and prosecco jelly pudding with semolina sable, vanilla cream and peach sorbet.

The Sloane Club
 52 Lower Sloane Street, SW1W 8BS | 020 7730 9131

Nestled just moments from the buzz of Sloane Square, prestigious private members’ club The Sloane Club is welcoming visitors, guests, neighbours and members alike to enjoy its bespoke floral cocktail list during Chelsea in Bloom. Created with golden September sunshine in mind, cocktails will feature a fusion of floral flavours. Non-members can relax with their cocktails in Sloane Place and on the roof terrace.

Shopping

There are even more reasons to shop during Chelsea in Bloom, with a number of special experiences and exclusive offers taking place in a selection of boutiques.

Smythson has collaborated with artist Wendy Bramall, who has hand-painted illustrations onto an array of Smythson products that will be available at Smythson Sloane Street Boutique and online exclusively during Chelsea in Bloom. As well as the hand-painted pieces, Smythson has created a hot air balloon motif that can be gold-stamped onto any books, diaries and leather products.

Shoppers at Poetry can enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne as they explore the latest collections, while at Monica Vinader’s Duke of York Square boutique, every purchase will receive a special gift.

At Kate Spade, every purchase will come with a special code to receive a complimentary Bloom & Wild letterbox bouquet. Plus, you could win a year’s supply of Bloom & Wild flowers and a shopping spree at Kate Spade for you and a friend if you enter the competition in store.

Poetry, 10 Symons Street, Sloane Square, SW3 2TJ | 020 3457 6883
Smythson, 141-142 Sloane Street, SW1X 9AY | 020 7730 5520
Monica Vinader, 71-72 Duke of York Square, SW3 4LY | 020 8016 2484