Chelsea will once again become a blooming spectacle of blossoming flowers as London’s largest free-to-attend flower festival transforms the streets from Monday 20 May, 2023, with gorgeous fresh flower displays springing up throughout the neighbourhood.
Inspired by this year’s delectable theme, ‘Floral Feasts’, over 100 boutiques, hotels and restaurants will be decorated with creative fresh flower displays inspired by culinary favourites and memorable foodie scenes and characters across film, literature, history and art, in the hope of winning this year’s top prize, judged by an expert panel of Royal Horticultural Society judges, with the winners announced on Tuesday 21 May.
Celebrating two of the things Chelsea is most famous for, botanical heritage and fabulous food, this year’s Chelsea in Bloom promises to be a feast for the eyes, with plenty of exciting events, exclusives and gifting happening on and around Sloane Street.
And you will be able to vote for your favourite to win the People’s Champion Award, which will be chosen by open voting from 6pm on Monday 20 May on the dedicated Chelsea in Bloom website. Voting will close at midnight on Thursday 23 and the winner announced on Friday 24 May.
As always, there will be a serving of showstopping, large-scale installations throughout the neighbourhood, including that famous spaghetti scene from The Lady and the Tramp on Sloane Street and a reimagined version of Winnie-the-Pooh on the King’s Road. At Duke of York Square, there will be two creations, one inspired by Willy Wonka and the other a contemporary take on an artistic still life.
On Sloane Square, for the first time ever, official event T-shirts will be available for sale at the Information Point, where complimentary rickshaw rides and walking tours can be booked next to an enormous floral recreation of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Elsewhere, expect deliciously creative floral extravaganzas paying tribute to all things epicurean from the likes of Smythson, Hackett, The Cadogan, a Belmond Hotel, and many more.
Perhaps there’ll be a nod to Paddington Bear’s beloved marmalade sandwiches, or the bonkers tea party in Wonderland hosted by the Mad Hatter for his chums and Alice, or the great hedonistic feasts of European royal courts… Get ready to dig in from Monday 20 May.
During the week, there will be exclusive, flower-inspired menus and cocktails, complimentary bouquets, engaging workshops and lots of other exciting happenings going on in the neighbourhood.
Until then, below are a few unmissable highlights during Chelsea in Bloom 2024. Further details are available at chelseainbloom.co.uk, where you can stay up to date with all of the exciting floral goings-on.
Drinking and dining
TRY KING CHARLES’S NEW RHUBARB PINK GIN AT AZZURRA
Monday 20 – Sunday 26 May
Be one of the first people in the world to sample King Charles’s new rhubarb pink gin as Azzurra partners with Highgrove Garden for the week. There will be a dedicated Chelsea in Bloom menu served on the terrace for the week and an exclusive King’s Gin cocktail garnished with rhubarb from His Majesty’s garden. Be sure to check out the restaurant’s floral display, decorated with rhubarb and only those florals that complement the flavours present in the gin.
Azzurra, 127 – 128 Sloane Street, SW1X 9AS; azzurrarestaurant.co.uk
ANYA’S FLORAL AFTERNOON TEA
Monday 20 – Sunday 26 May
Stop by the Anya Café, just off Sloane Street, for a delicious afternoon tea inspired by Chelsea in Bloom and all things gardening. Tuck into a selection of exclusive cakes and sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and preserves, all adorned with beautiful, edible flowers like pansies and cornflowers. The Rosemary French 75, a deliciously woody, herbaceous champagne cocktail, will be made exclusively for the occasion.
£50 per person.
Anya Café, 9 Pont Street, SW1X 9EJ; anyahindmarch.com
ARTS & CULTURE
CHELSEA IN BLOOM WALKING TOURS
Join one of our dedicated walking tours to see all of the magnificent Chelsea in Bloom sites. Departing every day between 11am and 3pm from Sloane Square and lasting between 30-60 minutes, the tours are led by one of our expert Chelsea in Bloom ambassadors, who will be sure you don’t miss any of the highlights.
SHOPPING
DISCOVER SMYTHSON’S GORGEOUS GARDENING CAPSULE
Sunday 19 – Saturday 25 May
In celebration of Chelsea in Bloom, discover a selection of notebooks, journals and stationery available in a variety of colours at Smythson Sloane Street, with complimentary embossing on the gardening journals (T&Cs apply).
Smythson, 141-142 Sloane Street, SW1X 9AY; smythson.com
CHAMPAGNE AND GIFTS AT FENDI
Friday 24 May
Throughout the day, Fendi clients will receive small bouquets of flowers from the charming in-store flower cart, plus there will be champagne and canapés served and a gift with any purchase made on the day.
Fendi, 26 Sloane Street, SW1X 9NE; fendi.com
