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 2026
Henry Moore at Kew Gardens
From May to January 2027, Kew Gardens holds a special outdoor sculpture exhibition throughout its landscapes and botanical collections of works by artist Henry Moore. Henry Moore: Monumental Nature features 30 huge sculptures installed throughout the gardens, which give you a great snapshot of the kind of ground-breaking work Moore made throughout his 70-year career. The Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art is also showing some of Moore's smaller-scale works. The exhibition runs 10am-6pm and entry is included with general admission (£2-£25).
Dandelions Always Return installation at King's Cross
As part of the Super Nature programme of events at King's Cross you can experience an art installation by French textile designer Delphine Dénéréaz in Granary Square. Taking the form of a pavilion featuring giant woven dandelions and fabric forests, it was commissioned to celebrate Earth Day theme Our Power, Our Planet and you can see it until 1 June.
The Garden Museum & Jane Hammond exhibition
The Garden Museum is one of London's tucked away green gems and well worth a visit if you have a chance while Chelsea Flower Show is on. As well as a lovely cafe, there are several gardens to explore, including the Courtyard Garden designed by Dan Pearson, which is a calming, tranquil oasis. The space itself is a church-turned-museum and within it you will find exhibitions and art dedicated to horticulture. On during Chelsea week is Angel's Trumpet, Adder's Tongue, a show of Jane Hammond's meticulously crafted botanical collages made using paint, photography, recycled objects and digital additions. The Garden Museum is open Monday-Sunday, 10-5pm weekends 10-4pm weekdays. Jane Hammond exhibition runs until 24 May.
The latest news from Chelsea 2026
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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 18-24 May under the theme 'Out of This World', inspired by space travel, astrology and 'spiritual symbolism'.
Petersham Nurseries
Head over to Richmond's beautiful, renowned nursery for a a host of Chelsea-themed treats to be had. As well as a floral-themed afternoon tea Thursday to Sunday throughout May, Petersham Nurseries is also collaborating with outerwear fashion brand K-Way on a selection of clothes designed for mud, dirt and wet in the garden and beyond. Petersham is appearing at Chelsea Flower Show for the first time this year and will be exhibiting at The Conservatory.
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.
There are also a series of paid-for talks and workshops running throughout the week, including Create Your Own Blue Zone - exploring longevity, plant knowledge and the lifestyles of some of the world's oldest people. 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 18-24 May. Belgravia in Bloom's theme of 'Fairy Tales of Belgravia' will see boutiques and restaurants in the area adorned with crafted flower exhibits inspired by other-worldly charm. As part of this MG&Co are hosting an exhibition of rare and scented-leaf pelargoniums with a C.Atherley pop-up in their shop on Ebury Street. It's a chance to shop the Cath Kidston bodycare brand as well as a selection of plants.
Afternoon tea themed around Olivia Laing's The Garden Against time
There are likely to be plenty of afternoon tea opportunities at various hotels in London, but this week 100 Queen's Gate Hotel in South Kensington is launching a limited edition version inspired by Olivia Laing's garden-focused memoir. Taking place in Botanica, the hotel's Victorian glass atrium, you can expect all sorts of botanical-inspired tasty treats. Available Monday 18 May until Sunday 24 May, from £45 per person.
A Spring Exhibition of Flower Paintings
Signed and dated lower right © Crane Kalman Gallery
The Crane Kalman Gallery Ltd is holding an exhibition of flower paintings just in time for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, featuring works by Elizabeth Allen, Donald Baechler, Winifred Nicholson, Matthew Smith, Tessa and Mary Newcomb and several others. It is a collection of exciting names, and well worth a trip to the Brompton Road if you have the time.
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.
Ham Open Gardens, London
This one is just ahead of Chelsea week, but worth having a look at if you're in the City ahead of the Show beginning. It's a chance to explore more than 20 private gardens around Ham Common near Richmond, including traditional Georgian spaces, contemporary plots and cottage-style gardens. 12-5pm, £12 in advance / £15 on the day. Ham Common, Upper Ham Rd, Richmond TW10 5LA hamandpetersham.com
You may also like:
- Tickets, information and what to expect at Chelsea
- Discover all our up-to-the-minute Chelsea news
- 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
