If you are planning a trip to London in Spring, you must see Chelsea in Bloom. The capital’s free annual flower festival event is sensational.
Often confused as part of the annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show, this is entirely different and staged in the exclusive London neighbourhoods of Chelsea and Belgravia.
Floral designers compete to receive the accolade of the best in their category by creating unique displays covering iconic shopfronts and hotels such as Tiffany and Hackett. Over the years, themes have included fairytales, carnivals, pop culture and wildlife.
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Updated for Chelsea in Bloom 2023
Flowers in Films is the 2023 Chelsea in Bloom Flower Festival theme, with sensational floral displays including tributes to Jungle Book, Hollywood, ET, King Kong, Willy Wonka and my favourite, The Lion King in the Duke of York’s Square in Kings Road.
Walk a little further to Belgravia in Bloom (a separate event) and see more incredible sculptures made entirely from flowers. These displays were based on wildlife, including peacocks, foxes and elephants.
This flower festival is free for all visitors; just remember to wear a good pair of walking shoes and bring your camera! The nearest tube station to the start of the trail is Sloane Square.
Chelsea in Bloom 2022
2022 heralded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and flower displays were in keeping with everything nostalgic relating to her Royal Highness and Great Britain.
Who Participates in Chelsea in Bloom?
Most Chelsea and Kensington high street stores participate in this lavish floral event.
They dress outside their shops in a cascade of flower and plant arrangements, all vying to win one of the coveted awards from the Chelsea in Bloom awards team.
A nod to the Royal Airforce was displayed outside of Beaverbrook Town House – 2022 Gold Award Winner
Chelsea pensioners are a very important part of the community in Chelsea and Kensington and were honoured in this floral tribute at the Chelsea General Store – 2022 Silver Award Winner
The Overall Winner of the Best Floral Display 2022 was Hackett, one of the most iconic British brands. They created one of the most iconic elements of everyday British life to celebrate her majesty, the Royal Mail postbox, on a gigantic scale.
The display was titled Love Letter to the Queen
Fluid floral arrangements drape across the front of jewellery shops on Sloane Street. At the same time, structured floral sculptures take pride in iconic Chelsea locations such as The Sloane Club, founded in 1922 by Princess Helena for female Armed Forces officers.
Queen Elizabeth’s favourite flowers were used in this 2022 commission situated in front of The Sloane Club. Blue hydrangeas for her crown and lily-of-the-valley for her earrings, with pampas grass for her collarpiece – 2022 Silver Award Winner
Explore one of London’s most affluent areas
Wander around the Chelsea in Bloom Floral Art Trail and be mesmerised by how much work has gone into the flower displays.
On route, see the multi-million-pound mansions in Belgravia before stopping off for refreshments in one of the numerous eateries in the area or checking out some of the other things to see in Belgravia.
Swoop back to iconic Sloane Square, grab a coffee or ice cream at Cadogan Gardens, and maybe pop into Peter Jones, Chelsea’s go-to department store.
Chelsea is the perfect place to see flowers in London, and you will be dazzled by these awe-inspiring floral art arrangements.
A great British pastime is to enjoy afternoon tea in London and this popular activity was shown in these wonderful Chelsea in Bloom displays.
Explore Kings Road, Chelsea
Follow the flower trail along the famous Kings Road in Chelsea, where many British fashion icons, including Mary Quant and Vivienne Westwood, started their careers.
You can shop until you drop along this 3km stretch of designer stores, independent retailers, ultra-yummy restaurants, and bars. And don’t forget to pay a visit to the Saatchi Gallery, where some of London’s most exclusive viewings occur.
Along Kings Road, a giant British soldier holding a corgi (the Queen’s favourite breed) stopped the traffic as drivers slowed down to take a look and passers-by grabbed a photo.
Cult beauty brands also joined the proceedings with these incredible floral tributes to Queen Elizabeth and London icons.
If you don’t want to walk the distances to see Chelsea in Bloom there are complimentary rikshaws that will take you around the event. These can be picked up from Sloane Square close to the Chelsea in Bloom information stand.
Wherever you choose to walk or be cycled during Chelsea in Bloom Week, you can be assured you won’t see floral tributes like London’s offerings anywhere else.
So will you be visiting London next year to see Chelsea in Bloom?
If you are looking for a luxury stay close to Chelsea in Bloom, here are some properties you might like to book:
Best Hotels in Chelsea
Best Chelsea Apartments
Cheval Phoenix House at Sloane Square
The Apartments by The Sloane Club
PIN for future visits to London
