A History of Famous UK Flower Shows

11 May 2022

The UK has a long and proud history of flower shows. The first one was held in 1851, and it has been growing in popularity ever since. These events are a great opportunity for gardeners to come together and share their passion for plants and flowers. They also offer a chance for the general public to see the best of British horticulture. In this blog post, we will take a look at the history of some of the most famous UK flower shows that you can visit this summer.

The Chelsea Flower Show

The Chelsea Flower Show is perhaps the most well-known of all the UK flower shows. It is held every year in May at the Chelsea Physic Garden, and it attracts visitors from all over the world. The show features a wide range of gardens, from small urban balconies to large country estates.

The Chelsea Flower Show first began in 1913 and has been held annually ever since, except for a few years during the two World Wars. The show is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), and it is one of their most important events. Every year, around 150,000 people visit the Chelsea Flower Show, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. Even the Queen herself is a fan, and she has visited the show on several occasions. In fact, it is not unusual to see several famous faces at the show each year.

If this flower show sounds like the perfect garden escape, our 2 day holiday package might be just what you need! We organise all your travel and accommodation so that you can sit back and enjoy everything that's on offer.

The Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival

Another well-known UK flower show is the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. The event is held in July at Hampton Court Palace, and it attracts thousands of excited visitors each year. You can make the most of the event with our all-inclusive weekend package and enjoy the stunning scenery that envelopes Hampton Court Palace.  

Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival began in 1990 and was held every year until it ended in 2003. The festival was then revived in 2009, and it has been held every few years since then. The next Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is due to take place in July 2022. It is a great event for the whole family and is a fantastic way to begin the summer.

Jersey’s Battle of The Flowers

If you fancy venturing a little further to see a flower show, Jersey’s Battle of The Flowers may be the best option for you. This is an annual event that has been running for 120 years! The flower show is said to be one of the island’s biggest events and draws in huge crowds of tourists, locals, and gardening enthusiasts every single year.

The show consists of several parades in which exhibitors create unique displays of their flowers and plants to showcase to visitors. The parades are like a carnival and a great fun to watch! Exhibitors go above and beyond with their designs, often integrating a creative theme into their floral displays.

As well as the parades, the Jersey Battle of Flowers is a great opportunity to explore this Channel Island. Jersey is situated just off the coast of France and makes for an excellent summer break. The Jersey Battle of Flowers is a flower show for everyone to enjoy.

Blenheim Palace Flower Show

Another stunning flower show that you should definitely put on your list is the Blenheim Palace Flower Show. The palace has around 2000 acres of land and was the birthplace of Winston Churchill. The show takes place every year in June and is not one to be missed!

The flower show is the perfect opportunity to explore the wonders of Blenheim Palace gardens while learning from experts and meeting other garden enthusiasts. The show takes place in the beautiful county of Oxfordshire and has been a hit ever since it first began. The event is open to everyone and welcomes thousands of visitors every single year. This year, the show will host over 300 exhibitors in an array of gazebos, marquees, and greenhouses.

So, which one will you choose? Browse our full collection of flower show breaks, along with more of our best-selling event and shows.