The Insider’s Guide to Chelsea in Bloom
It's going to be bloomin' brilliant.
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Chelsea’s in bloom once more and we’ve picked the top places to see and things to do for a bloomin’ good time…
There’s nothing quite like London in the summer, and even more so when the city’s loveliest suburbs are covered in beautiful blooms. Chelsea in Bloom is the annual floral art show which coincides with RHS Chelsea Flower Show. This year from 20–25 May, Chelsea’s best retailers, restaurants and hotels compete against one another to win the much-coveted awards for the best floral displays.
The theme for this year’s Chelsea in Bloom is ‘Under the Sea’, highlighting the importance of conserving and protecting the fascinating underwater world that is the sea, and all living things that call it home. Here’s our insider’s guide to making the most of Chelsea in Bloom, including the most Instagrammable spots.
Check out our guide to RHS Chelsea Flower Show, too
The Best of Chelsea in Bloom 2019
EAT
Harry’s Dolce Vita
Italian restaurant Harry’s Dolce Vita is getting on board with the theme by creating a ‘Birth of Venus’ floral installation outside the restaurant. The perfect spot for a quick pic with your best Venus pose, head inside to enjoy limited edition crafted cocktails such as the Coral Reef made with gin and grapefruit juice, and the Laguna di Venezi which includes prosecco and Blue Curacao. 13-27 May, harrysdolcevita.com
Rabbit Restaurant
Local favourite, Rabbit, is putting on a special themed menu for the duration of the Chelsea Flower Show. Championing wild, fresh British produce as always, the menu includes dishes such as Place Tartar, Trout Belly Mousse, Sussex Coast Shellfish Bisque and much more. rabbit-restaurant.com
Manicomio
Launching two exclusive menus in celebration of the floral festivities, Manicomio’s limited edition set menus feature dishes such as Watercress and Wild Garlic Soup, Spring Lamb and Strawberry Granita with Rose biscuits. chelsea.manicomo.co.uk
Crosstown Doughnuts x Bluebird Chelsea
Doughnut Afternoon Tea. Need we say any more? Sit inside the Bluebird and enjoy this rare afternoon tea offering featuring Crosstown‘s vegan orange blossom dough bites and flower inspired cakes designed by Bluebird’s pastry chef. bluebird-restaurant.co.uk
SHOP
Olivia Von Halle
Luxury fashion brand Olivia Von Halle is bringing back their popular sell-out Eye Mask Cody for a one off run during Chelsea in Bloom. 10% of all profits will go to ocean conservation charity Project Zero.
REDValentino x Poppy Chancellor
Admire the shop’s display and then head inside to buy the t-shirt or bag, a collaborative effort between REDValentino and artist Poppy Chancellor celebrating Chelsea in Bloom and its theme.
Rag & Bone
Available for one week only, Rag & Bone’s limited edition tee is the perfect little take home gift for Chelsea in Bloom fans and ocean lovers. rag-bone.com
DISCOVER
Not sure where to start? We recommend beginning your Chelsea in Bloom journey at Sloane Square, just opposite Sloane Square Station. This is the beginning hub of Chelsea in Bloom. It’s where you’ll find some of the higlights such as a pop-up bar, a coral garden, an information hub and it’s where you’ll find Plastic Oceans UK, a partner of the event. Plastic Oceans UK are a charity who for over a decade have been working to protect the ocean from plastics. Want to find out more before meeting them? Watch their powerful documentary A Plastic Ocean on Netflix, YouTube or Google Play, which follows an adventurer who comes face to face with the extreme plastic pollution occuring right at this very moment. Continue your stroll through Duke of York Square where you’ll find many more displays and a ‘turtle postbox’. Head up Pavilion Road for more displays, then on towards Knightsbridge to spot a sea horse. Find the full map here!
