Blossoming flowers will once again transform Chelsea into a blooming spectacle as London’s largest free-to-attend flower festival transforms the streets from Monday May 22, 2023, with breathtaking fresh flower displays springing up throughout the neighbourhood, inspired by this year’s cinematic theme, ‘Flowers on Film’, and plenty of exciting events, exclusives and gifts happening on and around Sloane Street.
From Monday 22 May to Sunday 28 May, just under 100 boutiques, hotels and restaurants will be decorated with close-up worthy fresh flower displays inspired by films, characters, plots and the glamour of the red carpet during awards season, 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 23 May.
You will be able to vote for your favourite to win the People’s Champion Award, which will be chosen by open voting from 6 pm on Monday, 22 May on the dedicated Chelsea in Bloom website. Voting will close at midnight on Thursday 25 and the winner announced on Friday 26 May.
There will be showstopping central installations dotted around the area, including a life-size T-Rex and movie memorabilia on Sloane Square, an enormous gold Oscars statuette and Chelsea ‘walk of fame’ on Pavilion Road, an immersive Wizard of Oz tunnel and iconic moments from The Lion King and Mary Poppins. Sloane Square will also be home to the ‘Box Office’ Information Point, where the previously sell-out complimentary rickshaw rides and walking tours can be booked.
Elsewhere, expect action-packed displays paying tribute to the icons, genres, and classics of cinema in sensational floral extravaganzas from the likes of Diptyque, the Mandarin Oriental hotel and Anine Bing.
Perhaps there’ll be nods to great British film franchises such as Bond or Harry Potter, or blooming homages to the likes of Paddington Bear and Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotte. Be sure to visit when the curtain goes up to see the story unfold. Read more about this year’s inspiration here.
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. Further details will be announced at chelseainbloom.co.uk, where you will be able to stay up-to-date with all the floral events.
Until then, below are a few unmissable highlights during Chelsea In Bloom 2023.
The Ivy Asia's Chelsea in Bloom pudding
Drinking and dining
BEAVERBROOK TOWN HOUSE EXCLUSIVE COCKTAIL
Pop into the glamorous Sir Frank’s Bar at the Beaverbrook Town House to sample The Beauty of the Season (£20), an exclusive cocktail inspired by Chelsea In Bloom. Ki No Bi gin is combined with St-Germain elderflower liqueur, Cointreau and orange bitter to create a refreshing taste of spring.
Sir Frank’s Bar at Beaverbrook Town House, 115-116 Sloane Street, SW1X 9PJ
beaverbrooktownhouse.co.uk/eat-and-drink/the-bar
THE IVY ASIA
Wrap up a day of shopping and flower-viewing with The Ivy Asia’s special Chelsea In Bloom pudding, Tirayuzu (£10.95). A reimagining of tiramisu, made with white chocolate, yuzu, lemon sponge and mango sorbet. Available until 28 May.
The Ivy Asia, 201-203a, King’s Road, SW3 5ED
theivyasia.com/restaurants/the-ivy-asia-chelsea
UPDATED BRITISH CLASSICS AT THE LALEE
The LaLee’s new spring menu features some exciting interpretations of British classics, including new-season asparagus with a crispy breaded egg from marigold-fed hens, finished with English ham and a smoky hollandaise sauce.
The LaLee, 75 Sloane Street, London, SW1X 9SG
thelalee.co.uk
Rag & Bone's 2022 display
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.
The White Company on Symons Street will be giving out hand-tied bouquets
SHOPPING
THE WHITE COMPANY
On Monday, 22 May, The White Company team will be handing out complimentary hand-tied flower bouquets to shoppers to celebrate Chelsea In Bloom.
The White Company, 4 Symons Street, SW3 2TJ
thewhitecompany.com/uk
Rixo
Rixo will be celebrating Chelsea in Bloom all week long at its King’s Road flagship store. Don’t miss the exclusive Kudu Blossom cocktail at the Smokey Kudu bar and pick up some floral matcha tea during the week. Plus, the many floral prints in the very pretty Rixo May collection make it an ideal choice to wear to the Chelsea Flower Show.
Rixo, 114-116 King’s Road, SW3 4TX
rixolondon.com
NOTEBOOK CUSTOMISATION AT PAPERSMITHS
Join illustrator Jessica Smith at Papersmiths on Pavilion Road on Friday, 26 May, to watch her live-paint her signature floral designs onto the stationer’s British-made notebooks. You can bring in your own Papersmiths notebook for a £10 refresh or purchase one painted with a one-of-a-kind illustration for £32. Reserve your spot here; Tickets are free.
Papersmiths, 170 Pavilion Road, SW1X 0AW
papersmiths.co.uk
