Chelsea in Bloom : London Travel

It’s no secret around here that I LOVE London. I always tell people when they are thinking about making their first trip overseas, that London is a great way to dip their  toe into international travel. This incredible capital city has something for every traveler. Incredible history, stunning architecture, big city energy, delicious foodie markets, funky arts districts, and world class shopping. Spend your days wandering museums, picnicking in beautiful urban parks, riding double decker buses and visiting castles. Whether you are a solo traveler, a couple or a family, you will be able to find things to keep everyone entertained. 

Coming up in just a little over a week is one of my favorite weeks of the year to visit, it’s time for Chelsea in Bloom. 

When is Chelsea in Bloom?

Chelsea in Bloom runs every year in roughly the third week of May, at the same time as the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Flower Show. 

What is Chelsea in Bloom?

Chelsea in Bloom runs every year in roughly the third week of May, at the same time as the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Flower Show. This premiere floral art show has been transforming The King’s Road, Sloane Square, Pavilion Road, Duke of York Square and the surrounding streets of Chelsea for the last 21 years. 

The competition grows every year, and this year more than 140 retailers, restaurants, and hotels will decorate their facades with spectacular floral displays inspired by this year’s theme Out of This World. Along with the individual participant’s displays, this year there will be six large-scale floral art installations in popular locations throughout the neighborhood.

How much does Chelsea in Bloom Cost?

One of the best things about London is that there are so many amazing festivals and art installations throughout the year that are FREE! Chelsea in bloom is absolutely free to the public which is amazing!

What is there to do at Chelsea in Bloom?

Throughout the week, the entire neighborhood gets involved in the fun. There are walking tours guided by festival ambassadors that give you the behind the scenes stories of each display and free rickshaw rides that take you along the flower show route. Local restaurants craft flower show themed menus and drinks and shops offer flower show specials and collectibles that you can collect with a purchase. 

The participants take the competition very seriously. Each year the floral displays are judged by a panel of RHS and lifestyle judges for awards like the “Innovation Award,” “Best Floral Display,” and Gold, Silver & Bronze awards. 

You can get in on the fun too and vote for the People’s Champion award that is decided by the public. 

When to Go to the Chelsea Flower Show

I love flowers and the art that these floral teams create. If you are lucky enough to be in London for a few days at the start of the show, one of my favorite times to visit is actually Sunday evening before the show officially starts. That night, after the shops close, the floral design teams are frantically working to complete their designs in time for the judging on Monday.

The streets are lined with trucks hauling thousands and thousands of flowers of all kinds, the sidewalks are littered with stems and all the clippings and it is SO cool to watch these works of art take shape. Many of the displays are also complete, so you can take pictures with them before the crowds start to file in on Monday and while everything is super fresh. 

Regardless of whether you can visit pre-show on Sunday evening or not, Monday morning  is definitely the time to visit the actual show. As the week goes on, the displays start to wilt a bit and get a little tired looking. Your pictures will be better and more vibrant if you can go first thing when the show opens.

Where to Stay in Chelsea and Nearby Neighborhoods

The Cadogan Belmond – This is currently my favorite hotel to date. Small and understated, but totally luxurious. The staff is amazing and the location is perfect with both Chelsea and Knightsbridge at your fingertips. A beautiful old set of townhomes converted into a stunning 54 room boutique hotel with lots of history.

11 Cadogan Gardens – 11 Cadogan Gardens is my favorite place to stay if you are looking for a little more space for your family or traveling with a group while also maintaining space for privacy. Part of the Relais & Chateaux brand, they recently took over 6 apartments in a GORGEOUS brick building in Chelsea to add to their hotel property just down the street.

These apartments are perfection for a longer term stay. We have stayed in both the three bedroom and a two bedroom apartment and when we were in London over Christmas it was the best place to spend Christmas Day opening gifts, lounging around and cooking a wonderful Christmas Day breakfast. Perfectly furnished and decorated, and including well appointed full kitchens, the Apartments at 11 Cadogan Gardens take up several floors of a traditional Victorian home. A luxurious oasis in the heart of Chelsea, one of London’s most charming neighborhoods.Buckingham Palace and Harrods are an EASY walk as are Sloane Square and wonderful shopping and dining on King’s Road and Pavilion Rd.

The Kensington – This is another one of our favorite spots for the family to stay. It’s a set of beautiful townhouses turned beautiful boutique hotel right in the heart of South Kensington. (It’s also my favorite place for afternoon tea in London.) Just down the street from the Victoria and Albert Museum and Museum of Natural History, lots of great shopping and places to eat…everything is nearby. Be sure to ask about their family rooms if you are traveling with the kids. You can read more about why I love this hotel here.

Where to Eat in Chelsea

My FAVORITE spot in all of Chelsea is La Mia Mamma. It is often booked well in advance, so make reservations as soon as possible. This charming Italian restaurant is the most incredible experience.

Menus crafted by REAL Italian mammas from all over Italy. The menu is always rotating between different regions of Italy and mammas are brought in from each region to create the menu and, because they have never worked in real restaurants before…only their own kitchens, they are supported by a fabulous professional restaurant staff and chefs.

You can walk by the restaurant and see these cute mammas hard at work in the front window. There are now several locations throughout the city, and it is a must while visiting London.

Daphne’s – More delicious Italian food…right in the heart of Chelsea. If the weather is nice get a table on their darling outdoor patio. 

Daylesford Farms – Pimlico Rd. has an outpost of this famous Cotswolds farm to table shop serving delicious breakfast and grab and go favorites. 

Bread Ahead – Donuts to die for, delicious cookies and pretty good pizza. All grab and go on Pavilion Rd.

Knoops Hot Chocolate in Chelsea – the most delicious hot chocolate of your life, trust me. Pick your type of milk, (whole, almond, oat etc.) your type and percentage of chocolate (milk, dark, white at 39%, 54% etc.) and let it blow your mind. 

Jak’s in Chelsea – Cute neighborhood joint with a wide variety of yummy comfort food on Walton St.

The Ivy Asia– A swanky spot with rich colors and textures in their design and bold flavors. They have several locations all over the city, most serve more traditional British fare and are great spots for brunch too.

Pret – or Pret a Manger as it actually named, is the most wonderful concept. It will make you wish you had enough foot traffic in your town to support one. Fresh grab and go salads, sandwiches, homemade soups, a few hot entrees, fruit cups, yogurts, bakery items etc. They open early for breakfast too.

Paul – A similar concept to Pret only even more Parisian. Baguette sandwiches, pretty pastries and all kinds of yummy Parisian “fast food.”

Granger & Co. – Australian fare on Pavilion Rd. one of my favorites for brunch.

Manicomio – Delicious Italian food with plenty of al fresco dining in Duke of York Square. 

I hope you get to visit Chelsea in Bloom to experience this amazing festival yourself!