*Rose* to the occasion as RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 returns to give all of us living without a garden in our studio flats real floral envy. RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from the 21st until the 25th of May, showcasing all the beauty that nature has to offer in the heart of Chelsea. It’s splattered with Britishness and is always a royal favourite, with special appearances across the week, coming from all around the world for this notorious flower show.
Throughout May and June, there is so much happening in celebration of the floral season, from glamorous hotel stays in some of London’s finest hotels to herbaceous and botanic-inspired afternoon teas. Here’s our guide to the best of whats on offer in honour of the quintessentially British flower show.
Chelsea In Bloom
It would be somewhat bizarre if Chelsea itself wasn’t celebrating its very own flower show, alas they are, and it looks flipping marvellous. Later this month Chelsea in Bloom returns to Chelsea’s most iconic streets with stunning floral displays to extend the Chelsea Flower Show to the the local neighbourhood for free. Produced by Cadogan, in association with the Royal Horticultural Society, Chelsea in Bloom runs from May 20th until the 25th, helping you to stash Instagram’s for the next few weeks, at least.
What will you find aside from flora and fauna? Well, there are over 80 shops, restaurants and hotels interpreting this years theme, Under The Sea, alongside an interactive installation helping to raise awareness for plastic pollution. Find out more here
Where: Various locations
Website: www.chelseainbloom.com
Aqua Shard
The panoramic views won’t be the only things you’re oggling at Aqua Shard next time you visit! Paying homage to the floral fancy that is Chelsea Flower Show, the gorgeous restaurant will launch their Floral Five at Aqua Shard. The quintessentially British offering will feature a menu of five teas curated by Camillia’s Teahouse, as well as five cocktails and five desserts made with ingredients from the teas. Sounds scrumptious!
Launching 20th of May
Where: Level 31, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RY, United Kingdom
Nearest station: London Bridge (0.1 miles)
Website: www.aquashard.co.uk
Belgravia's Blooming Marvelous Floral Displays
Belgravia will also be jumping on the flowery bandwagon with their array of floral displays lining streets and wrapping around doorways. The initiative comes as part of the Grosvenor Britain & Ireland’s annual floral festival, Belgravia in Bloom, which is now in its fourth year and will this turn triumph ‘The Language of Flowers’ theme. We’re talking 50 plus spellbinding spirals of floral installation and events galore spanning across Elizabeth Street, Motcom Street, Pimlico Road and Eccleston Yards.
Immersive experiences will be free, and available in abundance, whilst Eccleston Yards will provide creative workshops with highlights of herbal tea blending and Mood Gardens in the Halkin Arcade, off Motcomb Street. Alongside these hands on events, influence will also seep through products and experiences by Belgravia retailers including a new Rose Petal 25 fragrance launched by Jo Loves and Peggy Porschen will create a series of delicious cakes and cupcakes to celebrate.
Feast on all things floral from the 20th-25th of May, www.mayfairandbelgravia.com
Where: Various locations
Website: www.mayfairandbelgravia.com
The Jones Family Kitchen
As an extension of Belgravia in Bloom, The Jones Family Kitchen will be hosting a series of cocktail making classes in Eccleston Yards. You’ll search deep for your inner mixologist to rustle up at least two cocktails via the botanical sensory experience. The pop-up exists alongside various other floral fandangoing and will see customers enjoy the Green and Pleasant Land cocktail, as pictured, floral in nature as the Barentsz gin based sparking cocktail that it is. It has been created specifically with floral ingredients that in Victorian times alluded to compassion and amiability; the latter of which we can imagine you’ll be showing to everyone after a few swift cocktails!
Where: 7-8 Eccleston Yards, Belgravia, SW1W 9NF
Website: www.jonesfamilykitchen.co.uk
Ella Canta
Beautifully plated dishes alongside vibrant interiors will be the theme at Ella Canta for their enticing tasting menu, launching the same time as Chelsea Flower Show. Celebrating all of the beauty that Spring brings, yet tossed in with a twist of Central American flavours, the restaurant will transport you on a whimsical journey of wild flower meadows and luscious green jungles. Enjoy a taste of Mexicana with the pink tuna ceviche; quail, lentils and Mexican chorizo; and corn and vanilla cake, cheese ice cream and Mexican cejeta, just to name a few.
Running May 16th – 31st.
Where: 1 Hamilton Place, Park Lane, Mayfair, W1J 7QY
Website: www.ellacanta.com
Sexy Fish
Sexy Fish has paved its own flower show in celebration of this years Chelsea Flower Show, with its ‘Shell-sea Flower Show’. A giant blue and metallic mermaids tail decorated with beautiful flowers and shells will be presented – alongside this, the servers uniforms will be transformed, drawing inspiration from the bright floral hues of the installation. The expert mixologists have created a floral inspired cocktail menu, aiming to capture the real botanical flavours.
Running until June 2nd.
Where: Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, London W1J 6BR, UK
Nearest station: Green Park (0.3 miles)
Website: www.sexyfish.com
34 Mayfair
Created by the renowned florist Philippa Craddock, 34 Mayfair is celebrating Chelsea Flower Show with a floral installation around the window boxes and entrance, with the railing painted in pink – to add an extra splash of colour. Alongside this, the resident mixologists have created the L’Orangerie Bloom cocktail and a special Mayfair Garden dessert for those with a sweet tooth.
Available until June 3rd.
Where: 34, Grosvenor Square, London, W1K 2HD, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Bond Street (0.5 miles)
Website: www.34-restaurant.co.uk
The Arch London
From the 15th to the 26th of May, quintessentially British hotel The Arch London will be throwing a floral afternoon tea feast to fit any fancy. You can expect dishes interweaved with floral delights including chocolate and lavender cupcake, clementine, orange blossom and pomegranate jelly and lemon curd and raspberry pavlova with pistachios and edible flowers. The staples will be rife as well, from scones to savouries of egg mayo on white bread and English cheddar with apple and raisin chutney and sun blushed tomato bread.
Where: 50 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London, W1H 7FD, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Marble Arch (0.3 miles)
Website: www.thearchlondon.com
116 Pall Mall
116 Pall Mall are keeping it oh, so classy as per with their Chelsea Flower Show offering. Floral designer Miriam Webster , who owns floral design company Miriam Faith in west London creates many spellbinding designs for every occasion and worked with 116 to spread a sprinkle of such beauty. Using the Nash Room as the focal point, Miriam created arrangements for the mantelpiece, tall and low centrepieces for the tables, a wild bridal bouquet and finishing touches such as bud vases, as well as floral decor for the cake and table plan. You can read all about it here!
Where: 116 Pall Mall, Westminster, London, SW1Y 5ED, United Kingdom
Nearest station: London Charing Cross (0.3 miles)
Website: www.116pallmall.com
Daphne's
Indulge in the Chelsea Flower Show inspired set menu at Daphne’s, in support of the Wedgwood Garden celebrating its 55th anniversary. The menu features an indulgent cheesecake topped with wild strawberries – be perfect balance of sweet with the tart strawberries. Alongside the menu will be a floral installation which will remain throughout the summer months.
Available from May 15th until May 25th.
Where: 112 Draycott Avenue, London, SW3 3AE, United Kingdom
Nearest station: South Kensington (0.4 miles)
Website: www.daphnes-restaurant.co.uk
Annabel’s
Bursting into full bloom this Chelsea Flower Show is Annabel’s. The iconic club sees FLOWERBX co-founder Whitney Bromberg Hawkings transform the exterior with a botanical masterpiece featuring chrysanthemums, roses, peony and dahlia. Across all four floors, the historic townhouse will be transformed into a floral paradise and members and their guests can indulge in a botanical afternoon tea created by the talented pastry team. Those looking for a little added extra can enjoy a cocktail or two infused with natural fruit essences rather than sugar or artificial flavours or sweeteners.
Where: 46 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5AT, UK
Nearest station: Green Park (0.3 miles)
Website: www.annabels.co.uk
Baglioni Hotel London
Ever fancied your hand in floristry? Well you’re in luck because Baglioni Hotel London has teamed up with the Judith Blacklock Flower School offering guests the possibility to get stuck into a floral design class. The experience includes a one day taster at the school, afternoon tea with an Italian twist and a copy of Flowers in a Vase autographed book by Judith Blacklock herself.
Accommodation needs to coincide with the workshop dates, running: June 1st, August 6th, September 14th and October 29th.
Where: 60 Hyde Park Gate, London, SW7 5BB
Nearest station: High Street Kensington (0.6 miles)
Website: www.baglionihotels.com
Trishna
Enjoy a floral inspired four-course dinner and cocktails in celebration of the Chelsea Flower Show season. Trishna has been transformed with a delicate array of exotic flowers, alongside its launch of the Tea Garden collection in collaboration with The Rare Tea Company. From Sri Lankan Lemongrass to Nepalese Cherry Blossom, The Rare Tea Company’s cold-brew teas have been transformed, blending with some of the finest ingredients to create The Tea Garden collection.
Where: 15-17 Blandford Street, Marylebone, W1U 3DG
Website: www.trishnalondon.com
Corinthia London
If it’s traditional afternoon tea you’re after, then look no further. Corinthia Hotel London is offering afternoon tea with a hint of Chelsea. Enjoy a selection of sandwiches, cakes, puddings and, of course, scones with all of the trimmings including an additional rhubarb and litsea cubeba conserve. You can also upgrade with a glass or two of champagne!
Where: Whitehall Place, Westminster, SW1A 2BD
Nearest station: London Charing Cross (0.1 miles)
Website: www.corinthia.com
Kahani
A floral feast will be available at Kahani in the form of a lip-smacking five course tasting menu. The offering will play with delightful floral flavours including Wild Hibiscus, melon and watercress cold soup and Mangalorean Guinea fowl with courgettes flower pakora. For dessert, if you’ve still got room, you’ll discover the rose kulfi falooda with basil seeds – a real floral fancy indeed!
Where: 1 Wilbraham Place, Belgravia, SW1X 9AE
Website: www.kahanirestaurants.com
SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden
Joining in with the botanical theme is SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden with their ‘In Bloom’ edible art menu, floral art installation and Fleurs de Villes mannequin. Running May 15th until June 5th, you’ll be able to enjoy their ‘In Bloom’ menu which focuses on wellbeing and sustainability. Curated by sushi chef John Um, the five custom creations use fresh ingredients playing homage to our wonderful earth.
Where: 35 The Market Building, Covent Garden, WC2E 8RF
Website: www.sushisamba.com
Drake and Morgan at King’s Cross
The Japanese are a dab hand at a lot of things – sushi, sumo wrestling and, it appears, flowers! People gather in their boatloads to cast an eye over the terrific blossom that Japan has to offer each year and so it’s of no surprise that Drake & Morgan at King’s Cross are boasting a majestic ‘Language of Flowers’ Japanese Garden in collaboration with The House of Suntory. Japanese serves using Roku Japanese craft gin and Toki whisky will be served and available to enjoy amongst the pink foliage, making for a feast for the taste buds as well as the eyes. And, never ones to do things in half measures, Drake & Morgan will offer cocktail and sushi making classes tying in with Japanese craftsmanship on Tuesday 28th May or Tuesday 11th June. Roll on Chelsea Flower Show!
May-July
Where: 6 Pancras Square, Kings Cross, London N1C 4AG, United Kingdom
Nearest station: London St Pancras (0.1 miles)
Website: www.drakeandmorgan.co.uk
Polpo Chelsea
Showing love for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is Polpo Chelsea, who will be celebrating with a giant floral octopus to accompany the Chelsea in Bloom’s ‘under the sea’ theme. Guests can enjoy aperitivo time with exclusive £5 Cocchi rosa spritzes with wild rose and a hint of summer berries. Polpo’s outdoor terrace gives off total La Serenissima vibes, and customers can enjoy a warm summers evening under the floral centrepiece.
Installation and specials run from May 20th-26th
Where: 81 Duke of York Square, London, SW3 4LY
Website: www.polpo.co.uk
The Egerton House Hotel
Both the interior and exterior of The Egerton House Hotel have been transformed by Jane Wadham, Chelsea FLower Show’s official florist, creating a glorious wisteria creation with a selection of English garden classics. The makeover lasts until the end of May; however, their extra special summer afternoon tea runs until September, offering rosewater chocolate brownie; blueberry tower; lavender posset with a poppy seed biscuit – all with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free alternatives available – that’s a floral bonus!
Available now until September.
Where: 17-19 Egerton Terrace, Knightsbridge, SW3 2BX
Website: www.egertonhousehotel.com
Brown's Hotel
This one is bloomin’ brilliant. In spirit of the Chelsea Flower Show, Brown’s Hotel’s new Head Pastry Chef Reece Collier has partnered with British perfumer Ormonde Jayne to help create a floral blend of flavours. Each tea stand will feature a bottle of spring-scented blend allowing guests to reminisce over their sensory journey – all in honour of the world-renowned floral show.
The tea is bookable now and is available from 20th – 26th May to coincide with Chelsea Flower Show
Where: Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 4BP, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Green Park (0.2 miles)
Website: www.roccofortehotels.com
The Langham, London
This year be transported to an idyllic English garden with vibrant green grass, little white fences and a flurry of pink roses, at The Langham, in the heart of London. They’ve patterned up with botanical drinks brand Fentimans to celebrate the return of the Chelsea Flower Show to create every Instagrammer’s dream floral paradise this summer. A flower-bombed Land Rover will be centre stage, covered in pink roses, allowing you to pose for photographs while sipping rose lemonade – they’ve also created a cocktail for those wanting a little added punch!
Running from May 21st – 25th.
Where: 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London, W1B 1JA, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Oxford Circus (0.3 miles)
Website: langhamhotels.com/london
Hans' Bar and Grill
Another day, another afternoon tea… The neighbourhood restaurant on Chelsea’s Pavilion Road is celebrating the flower show with an afternoon tea inspired by the Great British garden. Homemade savouries include lamb, caper and garden mint sausage roll with sun blushed tom’ relish; not forgetting the staple cucumber, cream cheese and chive sandwich. In place on scones will be a nod to the flower show and Hans’ shared neighbourhood with freshly baked Chelsea buns – an uptake on the traditional but we’re all for it!
Where: 164 Pavilion Road, Chelsea, SW1X 0AW
Website: www.hansbarandgrill.com
100 Queen's Gate Hotel
Delve into this delectable afternoon tea at 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel and celebrate the return of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Their traditional afternoon tea will be transformed into a floral flourished tribute to the show, with the room scattered with plants. Sweet pickled heritage bay carrots, baby beetroot and courgettes flowers will sit amongst a selection of delicate and floral-inspired pastries.
Also, there will be a one off guest lecture event we’re holding next week on Thursday 23rd with modern plant hunter and gardening TV personality, Tom Hart-Dyke – blooming marvellous!
Where: 100 Queen's Gate, South Kensington, SW7 5AG
Website: www.curiocollection3.hilton.com
The Lanesborough
Be treated like royalty and stay at The Lanesborough during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. You’ll be given access to the acclaimed Chef Raymond Blanc’s 2019 Jardin Blanc and have the chance to experience the nestled away areas before anyone else, as well as access to the exclusive members-only days. Receive 24-hour butler service, access to their club and spa and experience Chelsea Flower Show in true royal style.
Available from May 21st until May 25th.
Where: Hyde Park Corner, London, SW1X 7TA, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner (0 miles)
Website: www.oetkercollection.com
Corrigan's Mayfair
Championing spring and the Chelsea Flower Show is Corrigan’s Mayfair with their spring-inspired cocktails, flower decked fishes and also a Champagne masterclass. The first-class floral menu will include roast veal sweetbread with artichoke, wild garlic and asparagus; rabbit wrapped in parma ham with red wine ravioli of braised shoulder and carrot puree; and gariguette strawberries with chow bun, strawberry mousse and sorbet.
If you’re a lover of Champagne, you’ll want to join Brand Ambassador Jonathan Simms who will show you the tricks of the trade in creating a champagne based spritz.
Running May 18th until the 25th and the champagne masterclass runs May 25th.
Where: 28 Upper Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 7EH, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Green Park (0.4 miles)
Website: www.corrigansmayfair.com
The Nadler Kensington
If you’re in search of a sneak peek to see Michelin-star chef Raymond Blanc’s secret garden, Jardin Blanc, while you’re at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year, look no further. The Nadler Kensington is offering two exclusive discount packages, including a night’s stay at the wonderful hotel, admission into the show and tickets to one of Jardin Blanc’s in-show dining experiences. The ‘La Tulip’ package offers a night of food, live music, fun and flowers with special foodie delights from the outdoor wood oven. Included in the ‘Le Jasmine’ package, you’ll be treated to afternoon tea, a complimentary open bar, live music and of course, tickets to the flower show and Jardin Blanc access.
La Tulip is available May 23rd and Le Jasmine is available May 24th.
Where: 25 Courtfield Gardens, Earl's Court, SW5 0PG
Website: www.nadlerhotels.com
Cocchi At The Duke of York Square
You’ll be transported to the Italian mountains when you take a sip of the aperitif-wine, Cocchi, as they serve up at the Duke of York Square, Chelsea. Celebrating all things floral and, of course, the Chelsea Flower Show, Cocchi will serve up all the vacation feels while you’re just strolling the streets in the heart of Chelsea.
Where: 80 Duke of York Square, Chelsea, SW3 4LY
Website: www.dukeofyorksquare.com
The Petersham
Serving you up all of the whimsical vibes with their Chelsea Flower Show inspired afternoon tea is The Petersham Restaurant in Richmond. Running from May 20th until June 30th, you’ll be able to feast upon the usual teatime treats including handmade finger sandwiches, freshly baked delectable scones, alongside tons of cakes and pastries with a floral twist.
May 20th until June 30th.
Where: The Petersham Hotel, Nightingale Lane, Richmond, TW10 6UZ
Nearest station: Richmond (0.8 miles)
Website: www.petershamhotel.co.uk
VIVI
If you fancy a little taste of spring, new West End opening, VIVI Restaurant and Bar has created a delicious floral inspired rose and raspberry dome dessert for you to feast upon. In celebration of Chelsea Flower Show, the dessert perfectly matches the restaurant’s decor – perfect for those wanting a new Instagram pic! The dessert includes a vanilla sponge, an almond and rose crunchy layer, raspberry and rose gel, rose petal mousse and a yuzu and lime whipped ganache – sounds delightful to us!
Where: 11 St Giles Square, London WC2H 8AP
Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road (0.1 miles)
Website: www.vivirestaurant.co.uk
If you simply love a bit of flora and fauna then why not take a look at our blooming marvellous guide to floral venues?
