If you're going to be around London during the Chelsea Flower Show, but are not going to venture into the showground, or perhaps have some time to spare, then why not take a look at some of the other things to see and do around London?
What else is on in London during the Chelsea Flower Show 2025
Chelsea in Bloom
Just a stone's throw from the Chelsea Flower Show, you can see the floral bonanza of Chelsea in Bloom, the free-to-attend festival of flowers. Restaurants and retailers around Chelsea will be adorning their facades with floral displays from the 19-25 May under the theme 'Flowers in Fashion', following on from last year's 'Flowers in Film'.
Chelsea Physic Garden
Visit the historic Chelsea Physic Garden, just down the road from the Chelsea Flower Show grounds. The oldest botanic garden in London, the Chelsea Physic Garden was founded in 1673 and sits on the Thames Embankment.
Recently, the garden declared the world's first microclimate emergency. Entry to the garden starts at £13.50 and it's open 11am-5pm every day except Saturday.
Belgravia in Bloom
Another London neighbourhood will be creating free-to-see floral displays from the 19-26 May. Belgravia in Bloom's theme of 'Seasons' will see boutiques and restaurants in the area adorned with crafted flower exhibits reflecting spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Biscuiteers biscuit-icing classes, Belgravia
As part of Belgravia in Bloom, Biscuiteers Belgravia Cafe will be hosting floral themed DIY icing classes. They'll be hosting icing sessions during which you will learn to decorate floral biscuits. You'll leave the two-hour class with a beautiful tin of biscuits you have iced yourself. Tickets start at £95.
biscuiteers-belgravia.designmynight.com
London's historical horticultural addresses
Discover where some of London's horticultural heroes and heroines lived and take a wander through London's streets in search of their blue plaques. Your tour might include the home of Fanny Wilkinson, Britain's first professional female landscape designer.
The Tower of London's Moat in Bloom
Take a trip to the Tower of London to the Superbloom planting. It was designed by horticulturalist and planting designer Nigel Dunnett and planted in 2022 to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Visitors to the Tower of London can see the Moat in Bloom with a standard entry ticket.
Of The Oak, Kew Gardens
From May to September, Kew Gardens will display a brand-new six-metre-high digital and auditory artwork revealing the web of water, oxygen and carbon at work behind one of its most impressive trees, the Lucombe oak. Visitors can move in front of the oak to affect its motions. The exhibit runs 10am-6pm and entry is included with general admission (£1-£24.50).
Unearthed: The Power of Gardening, British Library
See unique curiosities and iconic artefacts including the first English gardening manual, Gertrude Jekyll’s boots and Charles Darwin’s vasculum for collecting plant specimens on the Beagle voyage, alongside fascinating botanical art from all over the world. The exhibition runs until August and tickets cost £15.
Cecil Beaton's Garden Party, Garden Museum
See how gardens and flowers influenced the famous fashion photographer, artist and costume and set designer Cecil Beaton in this exhibition featuring photographs, paintings and drawings. It runs 14 May-21 September and tickets are included in standard entry price, from £8.50.
Ground Level, Walthamstow
Starting at 6:30pm on the first day of Chelsea, this series of talks is the perfect event to enjoy after a day at the show. Get inspired by some of the UK's biggest wildlife gardeners - all at a venue crowned London in Bloom's Churchyard of the Year twice running. Ask questions at the Q&A led by the venue's own head gardener, Tim Hewitt. Tickets are £13.70 and selling fast!
You may also like:
- Tickets, information and what to expect at Chelsea
- Discover all our up-to-the-minute Chelsea news
- Chelsea Flower Show Gardens 2025: discover the full list
- How to design a garden at Chelsea
- Sign up to our Chelsea newsletter
Head to our Chelsea Flower Show hub page for all the latest coverage of the Show
