Over the next four days, thousands of garden lovers will pass through the gates of the 2026 Chelsea Flower Show. Yesterday, the woman&home team was lucky enough to get early access to the world's greatest flower show, and, in between marvelling at all the show-stopping gardens, we caught some seasoned visitors for their top tips on how to really make the most of the day. And there are a few names you might recognise.
Armed with a mic and a drive to get you some helpful insider knowledge, woman&home editor-in-chief Hannah Fernando asked a few regulars for the inside scoop on the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. And they really came up with the goods....
1. Look around the back
If there's one thing we learned this year about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, it's that there is a lot to see, so you need to use your time wisely. And if there's a celebrity who can give some insider tips on what not to miss, it's Jo Whiley. "You need a whole day to walk around, see everything and just take it all in," she told us.
A keen gardener herself, Jo has a long-standing working relationship with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, primarily as an RHS Ambassador. So what's her tip to look out for? "The artisan gardens, they're always really lovely - the tiny gardens," she says.
And it's a sentiment shared by fellow broadcasters Fiona Bruce and Clare Balding. "I really like the little gardens around the back - they are much more accessible for what you might be able to do at home," Fiona told us.
Clare added, "I quite like the small gardens around the back, I like the Japanese gardens and the sculptures."
2. Saturday sell-off
Another name well-versed in the running of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is BBC broadcaster Sophie Raworth. Working as a host of the event for the last 12 years, Sophie knows all the inside tricks and tips to get the most out of a day at Chelsea. And one of her best, perhaps oddly, focuses on the show ending.
"There is a sell-off day on Saturday, where they ring a bell at 3 pm in the afternoon, and any garden here that is selling off plants, people just queue up and buy them," Sophie told us. "I love seeing people leave with these enormous flowers and trying to carry them back on the tube. It’s a good way of getting some plants at the end of the day."
3. Wear flat, comfy shoes
This might seem like an obvious one, but it's one worth reiterating, just in case you have a sudden panic and want to make a last-minute change. Don't do it. The grounds are huge and if you plan to see everything, you will be doing a lot of walking.
Jo Whiley told us, while wearing trainers, "I got some really nice Chloe platforms that I was going to wear, and then you arrive and think 'there's no way I can walk around in those'."
Again, Clare Balding echoed Jo's thoughts. "That is my biggest tip – comfy shoes! And then layers and a brolly".
4. Consult the experts
Inside the main pavilion, you will find a wealth of help and expertise – all you have to do is ask. "There are garden experts from all over the world who come to show their plants and share their knowledge at the show each year," says Tamara Kelly, our w&h lifestyle editor.
"Whatever your specific gardening-related query, you can visit the RHS Gardening Advice team located inside the Great Pavilion; no question is too big or small for them to help. From identifying mystery plants and new species to recommending a dedicated care plan for a particular plant you want to grow, their wealth of knowledge has you covered."
We're told by our friends at the RHS that their services are normally only available to members, but during the duration of the show, they are on hand to help and support everybody.
5. Ask the volunteers
The show can feel a little overwhelming, even when armed with all our expert advice, but that's when you should make the most of the brilliant volunteers around the grounds. The team at the RHS tells us that there are "230 friendly RHS volunteers in their bright purple tops."
They are there to help you with any questions, whether it's with help to navigate your way around the show or to unlock information about the gardens. "On the RHS gardens and features, the volunteers can tell you more about the concept. design and planting."
So don't be too shy to speak up; they are more than happy to help make your experience as enjoyable as possible.
