The Chelsea Flower Show was ‘awful’ and overcrowded by camera-wielding influencers this year, critics said as they called for organisers to revamp the event.
The Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) world-famous show attracts more than 150,000 visitors and millions of TV viewers and is known to attract celebrities but this year, people started saying it was too much.
The King, Sir David Beckham, Grayson Perry, Kim Cattrall, Dominic West, Brian May, Bill Bailey, Aisling Bea and Judi Dench all came to the private showing on Monday, the day before the show opened, alongside a long list of B-listers and TikTok recording influencers.
But while it all looks the part – as Becks beams with delight at the unveiling of the new Sir David Beckham Rose – gardening fans have had enough of the pomp and show.
One garden enthusiast at the show told Gardens Illustrated that they were ‘less interested in what some random comedian’s mother thought’ in viral social media interviews and would much rather hear about from the designers of the beautiful arrangements or regular garden presenters.
Another show goer said: ‘I do find it hilariously funny listening to conversations between [people] trying to outdo each other on their gardening “knowledge”, which is often incorrect!
‘[Chelsea] needs to refocus on its roots and true gardeners.’
Other flower garden enthusiasts were saying that the show had become ‘elitist’ and lost the focus on what made it special in the first place.
Garden enthusiasts have had enough of influencers and celebrities taking centre stage over the flowers at the Chelsea Flower Show
Attendees called for a limit on the number of people who could go as they said they were swamped in crowds
It wasn’t cheap either, with tickets to the event starting at £107, with a show guide and map available for an additional £18, TimeOut said.
One chimed in: ‘It’s a circus! We want to see the gardens, the designers and the exhibitors who put so much effort into their work, not the celebrities who only go there to be seen.’
Nature influencer Sarah Parry took to X to complain about the ‘awful’ state of affairs at the show.
She said: ‘Not my usual tweet but I want a little rant. I got gifted 2 tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show so went with a friend yesterday.
‘We paid for an overnight stay in a hotel, train fares and food. I can honestly say it was AWFUL.
‘It was unbelievably busy with huge numbers of people making it impossible to walk – we were just shoved along by the crowd.
‘I couldn’t see any of the show gardens because the fight to see them was 5 people deep. Even if you did get to the front you were being pressured to move on.
‘We gave up after 3 hours and went to the Chelsea Physic Garden along the road which was a much welcome oasis of calm.
‘The organisers of the show should be ashamed of themselves. Visitor numbers need limiting and I feel so sorry for anyone for whom this was a first-time, long-awaited visit.’
Another X user shared Ms Parry’s misgivings, saying that her ‘sense of disappointment was monumental when I discovered the meagre eight gardens and handful of balcony gardens in the vast beautiful grounds of the Royal Chelsea Hospital.
‘Instead of a cacophony of flowers there was a cacophony of stalls and floral attire selling toot to the masses blocking the sparse gardens from sight.
She went on: ‘Just try not to get caught on camera, upstaging an influencer’s carefully curated shot.
Celebrities descended on the scene in Monday’s private showing. The King, Sir David Beckham, Grayson Perry, Kim Cattrall, Dominic West, Brian May, Bill Bailey, Aisling Bea and Judi Dench all came
This years show was branded ‘awful’ by critics who said they were ‘shoved along’ by huge crowds and bobbing and weaving to avoid pictures
‘I’m sure this is fun on preview day when riff raff like myself aren’t permitted entry but it’s still lacking…well, gardens!’
She called for a limit on the number of visitors allowed at the show and said the ‘endless posturing was at odds with what should have been a natural and inspiring experience.’
There were 36 gardens at the show in total and awards were handed out the very best of them.
The RHS Chelsea Garden of the Year was The Campaign to Protect Rural England Garden: ‘On the Edge’ designed by Sarah Eberle
The RHS Chelsea Small Garden of the Year was Addleshaw Goddard: Flourish in the City designed by Joe and Laura Carey.
But despite the beauty, attendees were not happy with how crowded it was, which also appeared to be a problem the year before.
Another disgruntled showgoer said: ‘Went last year for the 1st time as gifted tickets…..NEVER AGAIN!!!! Far too many people, you couldn’t get anywhere near the displays and was just hearing herded round like cattle. AWFUL.’
One Chelsea resident said: ‘This year has been the worst ever. We don’t begrudge the event itself but without a doubt, the organisers have oversold tickets this year.
‘Earlier I tried to do some chores around the Kings’ Road & it was impossible. So many crowds spilling into the road itself as the tourists keep bottlenecking the pavement trying to take photos of the shop fronts.
‘It was actually dangerous as vehicles kept having to swerve. It’s dreadful & something needs to be done.’
The Daily Mail has contacted the RHS for a comment.
