Where to celebrate the Chelsea Flower Show 2025 in London
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show returns to the Royal Hospital from 20-24 May. Mark the occasion with afternoon tea, workshops and resplendent installations
There is much to celebrate at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. The annual display of the best flora and gardening expertise from around the world will once again showcase spectacular garden designs alongside innovative new horticultural ideas from 20-24 May 2025. Hosted at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, this year’s event will see gardens centred around the theme ‘Your Story, Your Space’, which encourages individuality and personal stories. In that spirit, 2025’s event will see the unveiling of a new rose named Rosa ‘Catherine’s Rose’ by the RHS and bred by Harkness Roses for the Princess of Wales, to celebrate the healing power of nature and highlight how spending time outdoors can enhance mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
The show is sponsored by The Newt, the exalted Somerset hotel owned by South African businessman Koos Bekker and his wife, Karen Roos. The green-fingered property is known for its immaculate gardens, originally designed by former resident Penelope Hobhouse and updated by French architect Patrice Taravella. Champagne Pommery, meanwhile, is the tipple of choice this year, noted for its sustainable wine-growing practices.
If you haven’t secured tickets to the main event, you can still enjoy an array of flower-themed satellite events across London. Tickle your tastebuds with specialty menus and botanical cocktails, or marvel at extraordinary floral installations across Mayfair, Belgravia and Chelsea.
Bloomin’ Lovely Afternoon Tea at The Goring, Belgravia
In celebration of Belgravia in Bloom 2025 and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, The Goring has launched its new Bloomin’ Lovely afternoon tea, available from 5 May until 1 June. The quintessentially British fare – named in a nod to George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, which was published just a few years after the hotel opened – will be served within the five-star hotel’s flourishing garden, one of London’s best kept secrets.
Guests will be treated to a mocktail of Seedlip Garden, apple juice, and apricot and flower syrup, followed by an assortment of floral-inspired sandwiches, scones, sweet treats and premium tea blends. Highlights include blackcurrant and hibiscus scones, a rosewater, raspberry, and lychee macaron, and a lemon, wild honey, and chamomile mousse with bee pollen. Even the sandwiches will take a botanical twist, with highlights including smoked salmon and cream cheese, and coronation chicken with fresh herbs from the garden. Pair with a vibrant array of herbal teas and floral infusions – think jasmine pearls, chamomile flowers, and rosebuds – while traditionalists can stick to The Goring’s afternoon blend, Earl Grey or a glass of Bollinger champagne.
From 5 May-1 June 2025, £80 per person, visit thegoring.com
Chelsea in Bloom, Chelsea
In celebration of the Chelsea Flower Show, the neighbourhood’s retailers dress up their storefronts each year with whimsical and imaginative installations, which are every bit as impressive as the main event. Now in its 20th year, Chelsea in Bloom will be themed ‘Flowers in Fashion’, inspired by British style from the glamour of the 1920s to the rebellion of punk. More than 115 brands and businesses – including Ralph Lauren, Rixo, Brunello Cucinelli, and Temperley London – will take part, with this year’s charity partner, the British Fashion Council Foundation, supporting the next generation of designers.
Undoubtedly one of the most uplifting events in London, immerse yourself in floral displays galore, which stretch from Sloane Street down the King’s Road, as well as across Pavilion Road and Duke of York Square. Key installations include giant yellow Wellington boots beneath a canopy of umbrellas on Sloane Square, a nod to both British weather and the Sloane Ranger aesthetic, as well as a four-metre-high punk head with a floral mohawk on the King’s Road, an oversized handbag as a tribute to the Roaring Twenties at Duke of York Square and a pair of Elton John-inspired oversized sunglasses on Sloane Street.
One installation not to miss will be at Paige, which is offering free bouquets to all shoppers from 19-25 May and will dress its window to not only coincide with Chelsea in Bloom, but also its new SS25 collection. From the outside on King’s Road, the silhouette of a dress – made from pink flowers and twigs and reflecting the paisley motif print from the collection – promises a gorgoeus photo moment, while tree trunks and branches will be adorned with yellow and orange bougainvillea to create an oversized clothes hanger.
From 19-25 May 2025, visit chelseainbloom.co.uk
Sketch in Bloom, Mayfair
Images: Mark Cocksedge
Mayfair hosts its own mini flower show every year in tandem with the main event in Chelsea – and Sketch goes all in, transforming its already impressive dining spaces with verdant installations. For the 11th edition of Sketch in Bloom, the Mayfair restaurant will feature a floricultural tribute to Jane Austen in celebration of what would be her 250th birthday. Until 1 June, discover unique installations in the pod loos, the entrance hall and each of the design-led restaurants by Lucy Vail Floristry, Ricky Paul and Rob Van Helden, who were inspired by the likes of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma and Mansfield Park.
As part of this elegant and immersive homage, Sketch is also offering a special afternoon tea (£115 per person) inspired by Jane Austen, served on an exclusive ornate silver tea service, and has also collaborated with Penguin on exclusive editions of Pride & Prejudice and Emma, which will be available to buy. Additional highlights include a ‘living portrait’ photo opportunity to pose at a Regency-style writing desk set against a countryside dreamscape created by artist Meg Boscowen.
Until 1 June 2025, visit sketch.london
Burlington Arcade in Bloom, Mayfair
Spring has arrived in spectacular fashion at Burlington Arcade, as Burlington In Bloom: Volume II unveils a dazzling floral transformation in the heart of Mayfair. More than 100 vibrant flowers have been suspended from the shopping arcade's glass roof, evoking a dreamy meadow, with thousands of hand-drawn dots paying homage to Pop Art and Pointillism greats such as Warhol, Klimt, and Seurat. On display throughout spring, Burlington Arcade offers both a uniquely photogenic moment and a vibrant shopping experience. What are you waiting for?
Visit burlingtonarcade.com
Botanical Bliss package at The Chelsea Townhouse, Chelsea
Need somewhere to stay for the Chelsea Flower Show? Look no further than The Chelsea Townhouse, which is offering its Botanical Bliss Package throughout May. One of the only hotels in London with access to private gardens, this offer includes a luxurious stay with breakfast in the peaceful Victorian townhouse, featuring in-room seasonal arrangements, as well as a beautiful bouquet and refreshing Garden Spritz cocktail on arrival. The package also includes a picnic hamper for two, complete with Laurent Perrier Champagne, to be enjoyed in the private Cadogan Gardens or in nearby London parks, as well as two tickets to the Chelsea Physic Garden.
From £555 per night.
Ganymede in Bloom, Belgravia
Ganymede will mark the neighbourhood-wide celebration of Chelsea Flower Show with a distinctly British installation taking inspiration from the fields and farms that supplies the restaurant throughout the year. Pamela Ladaf Songbird Florals will dress the exterior of the pub with a sustainable display of green herbs, foliage and seasonal blooms, while executive chef David Halewood has created a special menu, available from 19-24 May, celebrating spring’s finest British ingredients.
Starters include Colcannon scotch egg with lovage, wild garlic soup and horseradish crème fraiche and rare rump of beef with Versuvian tomato salad, before stuffed saddle of lamb with petit pois a la francaise and crispy panisse with white asparagus barigoule. Wash it all down with one of the floral cocktails, including the Reverend Hubert Garden Spritz topped with English sparkling wine and the refreshing non-alcoholic sparkling rosé, Amie.
From 19-24 May 2025, visit ganymedelondon.co.uk
The Ivy, across London
This May, The Ivy Collection is celebrating Chelsea Flower Show 2025 with a refreshing, floral cocktail menu, crafted in partnership with Lillet. Taking its cues from this year’s theme, the handcrafted cocktail list includes the fresh, fruity, herbaceous flavours of Lillet’s range of wine-based aperitifs. Menu highlights include the Lillet Rosé Spritz – featuring fresh Lillet Rosé with prosecco, Fever-Tree soda and spritzed with a fine rose mist – and the Lavender: a refreshing, floral spritz which sees Beesou Honey Liqueur blended with Lillet Rosé, lavender cordial and lychee juice.
Visit ivycollection.com
Afternoon Tea at The Corinthia, Whitehall
Corinthia London has refreshed its afternoon tea menu (£75 per person) in time for Chelsea Flower Show, with sweets and savouries now taking a delectable floral tone. The brainchild of executive pastry chef Yago Doamo, expect seasonal treats complemented by an extensive range of traditional and exclusive tea blends, while stand-out sandwiches include secret smokehouse salmon with lemon, salted cucumber with chilli and coconut yogurt and Clarence Court egg mayonnaise. The cakes and pastries are a delight for the senses, featuring the Cherry Blossom (amarena and cherry blossom religieuse), the Jasmine (milk chocolate mousse with lemon), an apricot and chamomile tart shaped like a daisy and orange blossom honey madeleines.
Visit corinthia.com
Chelsea Flower Show package at Park Hyatt London River Thames, Nine Elms
Park Hyatt London River Thames has collaborated with London-based florist, Flowerbx, to offer guests a Chelsea Flower Show-inspired stay from 20-25 May. Guests can book rooms with panoramic views of Chelsea and the River Thames, where they'll be greeted with a bespoke seasonal bouquet from Flowerbx, meticulously arranged by expert on-site florists. However, the real highlight of this package is a coveted ticket to Chelsea Flower Show, complemented by round-trip transfers to ensure a seamless journey.
Following the flower show, enjoy a rejuvenating Botanical Spa treatment utilising premium plant-based ingredients, before indulging in an elegant Chelsea Flower Show-inspired afternoon tea, featuring exquisite botanical creations from the hotel's patisserie team paired with a selection of fine teas.
From £1,200 per night.
Camilla Elphick x The Botanist Sloane Square, Chelsea
Luxury British shoe designer Camilla Elphick and Sloane Square restaurant, The Botanist, have partnered to host a floral installation created by luxury Mayfair florist McQueens Flowers during the Chelsea Flower Show. The striking floral display will wrap around the restaurant’s exterior and incorporate an iteration of Camilla Elphick’s brand new Penelope Bow pumps, reimagined in romantic floral fabric just in time for spring and brought to life by McQueens.
The partnership and the installation, which will be unveiled on 21 May, also includes a bespoke Flowers in Fashion-inspired cocktail by Aperol while a select number of Camilla Elphick’s limited-edition Penelope Bow pumps will be on display at The Botanist throughout the week. Be quick, we predict a sell out.
From 20-26 May 2025, visit camillaelphick.com
Chelsea Blooms Afternoon Tea at The Biltmore, Mayfair
As London bursts into bloom, The Biltmore Mayfair invites guests to experience the limited-edition Chelsea Blooms afternoon tea (£80 per person), featuring savouries like coronation chicken sandwiches, indulgent mini cottage pies, and delicate crab avocado mousse topped with tobiko caviar. But the real showstopper? A selection of artful floral-inspired pastries, including the Bee’s Knees honey blossom mousse and the Chelsea Rose chocolate mousse with hazelnut praline ganache and orange blossom. Toast the season in style with a glass of Nyetimber Cuvee Chérie Multi-Vintage sparkling wine and you’ve got an afternoon you won’t forget in a hurry.
From 17-25 May, visit thebiltmorehotels.com
Granny Takes a Trip at The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea
From 19-25 May, The Cadogan Arms will join in the Chelsea in Bloom celebrations with a floral installation, a special cocktail menu with Casamigos and a flower-topped dessert. Celebrating the neighbourhood’s Flowers in Fashion theme, The Cadogan Arms will pay homage to the legendary boutique, Granny Takes a Trip, which first opened its doors in 1966 at 488 King’s Road.
The façade of The Cadogan Arms will be transformed into a striking replica of Granny Takes a Trip’s famed storefront, showcasing a 3D floral car sculpture crafted using the bonnet of an old Beetle bursting out of a wall at the front of the pub. During Chelsea in Bloom, the pub’s cocktail menu will feature refreshing drinks such as Elderflower Margarita and Oopsie Daisy: Casamigos Tequila, strawberry, mint and lime. Those with a sweet tooth can also enjoy the limited edition seasonal lemon trifle: a fresh twist on the signature dessert, topped with edible flowers.
Don’t miss a night of live music on 21 May, as the Rose Room at The Cadogan Arms hosts four-piece band Hard Candy, who will play Sixties and Seventies classics, inspired by the artists and bands that used to frequent the original Granny Takes a Trip store, including The Rolling Stones and The Beatles.
From 19-25 May 2025, visit thecadoganarms.london
Belgravia in Bloom at Pantechnicon, Belgravia
In celebration of this year’s RHS theme, Pantechnicon will be adorned with a floral archway that journeys through the colours of a year in bloom. From the cool tones of winter to the stunning shades of autumn, each bloom and stem tells a story of Britain’s seasonal beauty.
Once you’ve enjoyed the installation, take your pick from French restaurant Amélie, or Japanese restaurant Sachi – with each serving a special dish to mark the occasion. Provençal-inspired Amélie has created a lemon and elderflower savarin cake to celebrate, while Sachi will be crafting a limited edition sashimi moriawase platter, featuring edible flowers. Finally, bar and lounge Luum will be serving the new Luum in Bloom cocktail – pinot noir, rose cordial, vermouth and bitters. Chin, chin.
From 19-26 May 2025, visit pantechnicon.com
The Ivy Asia, Chelsea
Need a pre-show pitstop in Chelsea? The Ivy Asia has curated a vibrant three-course lunch and dinner offering, blooming with bold Asian flavours and seasonal finesse. The Chelsea Flower Show set lunch and dinner menu begins with crispy wontons and poppadoms with a Szechuan dip, followed by a choice of delicate starters, such as ebi prawn tempura, spicy tuna and sesame sushi rolls, or the ever-popular barbeque duck salad before gochujang glazed chicken or salt and pepper beef steak, all served with steamed rice and wok-fried greens to share.
There are a trio of desserts to choose from, including the limited edition floral coconut and pineapple panna cotta, as well as two botanical cocktails. We love the Lavender Fields: a light and floral blend of vodka, lavender cordial, lychee and hibiscus. Plus, book on 24 May to enjoy floral-themed live performances which will bring the essence of the Chelsea Flower Show to life.
From 20-24 May 2025, visit theivyasia.com
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