Come springtime, there is a wealth of things to enjoy about London. The longer days and warmer weather find us heading outside more often to enjoy fresh air – and pub gardens. And the spring blooms add some stunning colour to the streets and parks of the city. But some of the most jaw-dropping floral displays in the city can be found, for a limited time only each year, at London’s largest free flower festival: Chelsea in Bloom.
The free festival, which kicks off today in Chelsea, sees the area’s many venues and spaces magnificently transformed by gorgeous floral creations. Everywhere, from shops to restaurants, pubs, hotels, walkways, and public areas of Chelsea are now done up with blooms. Running from May 18-24, this year’s festival is themed around ‘out of this world’ displays. The creations transform Chelsea “into an intergalactic wonderland of floral displays inspired by space travel, astrology and spiritual symbolism.”
Photo by Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Cadogan Estate
Chelsea in Bloom
As part of the festival, more than 125 brands, including Jessica McCormack, Smythson, RIXO, and Trinny London, are taking part with their own flower-y spectacles. Alongside the shop displays are six large-scale floral installations across Chelsea. These include:
- A Zodiac-inspired floral constellation at Sloane Square
- A UFO installation hovering above Pavilion Road
- A 4-metre mythical dragon and Pegasus on Sloane Street
- A giant floral globe on the King’s Road celebrating David Attenborough’s 100th birthday
Photo by Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Cadogan Estate
Visitors can enjoy complimentary walking tours and rickshaw rides to ensure they don’t miss the best of the floral sights. Be sure to vote for your favourite for the ‘People’s Champion’ through the online voting from May 18-21.
As well as the popular vote, a number of other awards are up for grabs. “Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit awards will be granted to participants by RHS and lifestyle judges, alongside the top awards for ‘Best Floral Display’, ‘Highly Commended’ and the ‘Innovation Award‘.”
The Chelsea in Bloom festival is produced by Cadogan in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
Photo by Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Cadogan Estate
