I started planning a trip to London for the Chelsea Flower Show last year. The show is world-renowned and very popular. I even joined the Royal Horticultural Society so we could avoid the large crowds by attending the two members-only days. The membership fee was well worth it. I also booked a flight with British Airways when they opened a direct route from St. Louis to London. Unfortunately, our flight was canceled on the day we were supposed to depart, and we were rerouted through Chicago and Charlotte before reaching London. British Airways never provided a reason for the cancellation, and I had difficulty getting them to compensate us for the delay. I would think twice about using British Airways in the future.
We stayed at a hotel near the King’s Cross St Pancras area, where access to the Underground, trains, and buses was very convenient. Most people passing through this busy area were of immigrant origins, so we heard many different languages being spoken. The area was also filled with ethnic restaurants, and we enjoyed several fantastic dinners there. My friend Freddie joined us for Vanessa Williams’ musical *The Devil Wears Prada* at a West End theater. It was a Broadway-quality show at a third of the price you’d pay in New York, and I would recommend it to anyone visiting London. Another “don’t miss” attraction is the Shakespeare Globe Theatre. It was constructed to replicate its original design from Shakespeare’s time. The theater has 800 seats, all on wooden benches, with an additional 700 standing spaces surrounding the stage. We watched *A Midsummer Night’s Dream*, where the actors performed without microphones and interacted with the audience. It was a truly unique experience. Additionally, this area is close to the British Museum, the largest and oldest museum in England. We spent an afternoon there and enjoyed a delightful afternoon tea at the museum restaurant.
The Chelsea Flower Show originated in 1913 and usually runs in May each year. The surrounding neighborhood hosts ‘Chelsea in Bloom ‘, a free floral art festival featuring spectacular window displays. Many neighborhood shops and resturants along the King’s Road would host exhibitions judged by both the public and judges. Even if you are not attending the Flower Show, this Festival is worth checking out.
When you enter the Royal Horticultural Garden, the first sight is the Great Pavilion, where over 70 specialist growers display new and rare plants. Many of them I have in my home garden, but their flowers were larger, more colorful, and all in perfect shape. This is the place to ask any garden questions you have, and you will get an answer from one of the experts. Outside in the garden, there are areas for Large and Small Show Gardens. Local nurseries donated all the plants, and panels judged the gardens designed. All flowers and trees were moved to the ground three weeks ahead of the Show. After the Show, all of them will be donated to underserved areas for residents to enjoy. The landscapes were inspiring, and I wish my garden looked like these. Many cultivars were new and unique. Following the path, we saw special displays for Balcony and Container Gardens. Past them were Garden Arts, which had many very unique (and expensive) sculptures and water features. There were many resturants and cafes where we took breaks. There were also performances at the Stage. We spent the whole day at the Show and still felt that we needed more time to cover everything. What an experience for a garden lover like me.
