Planning your trip to the Chelsea Flower Show 2011

If you are lucky enough to be one of the attendees at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show then it may be worth planning your visit beforehand. With the wide array of gardens and features on display along with the activities and local attractions planning your trip down to London will certainly benefit you to help use your time efficiently.

First of all, you need to know the location and the official opening times for the event. As we all probably know by now the event is located at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London and the opening times are as follows.

May 24-27 8am- 8pm & May 28th 8am - 5:30pm with a 4pm sell off.

Travelling to and from the Chelsea Flower Show

Public transport

It is recommended that visitors travel to the show by public transport. Please visit the Transport for London Journey Planner for more information on public transport in and around London.

Tube & bus

Sloane Square tube station (on the District and Circle Lines) is a 10 minute walk from the showground. Please check the TFL website for the latest information, and make alternative travel arrangements if necessary.

Bus numbers 11, 137, 211, 360 and 452 stop closest to the showground, while bus numbers 19, 22, 319 and C1 stop at Sloane Square.

For further information on tube and bus travel, visit the Transport for London website or call 020 7222 1234.

Rail

London Victoria is the closest train station to the show. For information on rail services, visit the National Rail website or call 08457 484950.

London General operates a shuttle bus service between London Victoria (Hudson’s Place) and the showground (Barrack Gate, Chelsea Bridge Road) from 7am to 8pm each day (6pm Saturday).

Prices for this service are as follows:

Adults: £2.50 single, £4 return

Children, senior citizens, Oyster card and travel card holders: £2 single, £3.50 return

Parking

Public parking, including for orange/blue badge holders, is available in Battersea Park on a first come, first served basis. Battersea Park is located outside the Transport for London congestion zone and is approximately 20 minutes’ walk from the show. Alternatively, a park & ride service is available; buses, including a mobility bus, operate at frequent intervals between Battersea Park and the showground’s Bull Ring Gate entrance.

There are more than 2000 spaces available from Tuesday to Friday, but on Saturday fewer spaces are available due to other public events in Battersea Park.

Wandsworth Council parking charges apply as follows:

Cars: £25 per day, £15 after 2.30pm

Coaches: £35 per day

Motorcycles: no charge

Please note that there are no reduced rates for disabled visitors.

Throughout the event there is a wide range of food and drink to suit everyone's taste. Restaurants ranging from 3 course meals to cafes, seafood, sandwiches, cakes and snacks will be served throughout the day.

The Chelsea Flower Show is yet again set to be an amazing event, with garden displays designed to please everyone. If you are going to the event this year, there are many different gardens that may interest you. Gardens such as the growing your own, tropical style planting, structural planting, plant collecting, contemporary, urban chic and romantic gardens are all on display.

UK Water Features wishes everyone to have a fabulous week down at the Chelsea Flower Show. As we have several of our water features on display this year we would love people to send in their pictures of the event to us to display on our Facebook page.