London


<p>Still mourning the end of Chelsea Flower Show? Same. But before you resign yourself to a summer of staring wistfully at drooping supermarket peonies, there’s good news for garden lovers, flower fanatics and anyone partial to a rosé among the roses: the brand new <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-sandringham-flower-show" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RHS Sandringham Flower Show</a> is blooming into Norfolk this July. And frankly? It may just be the chicest new date in the horticultural calendar.</p>



<p>Set in the grounds of Sandringham Estate &#8211; the much-loved country retreat of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla &#8211; the RHS’s newest floral extravaganza delivers all the inspiration, shopping and garden nosiness of Chelsea, but with a more relaxed countryside feel. Forget Tube chaos, it&#8217;s  picnic blankets and ice-creams on the lawn a go go! Here’s why Norfolk’s newest flower show deserves your attention.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-royal-approved-garden-everyone-will-be-talking-about">The Royal-approved garden <em>everyone</em> will be talking about</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/06/claudio-poggio-loKAg11VtG8-unsplash.jpg" alt="Sandringham" class="wp-image-79762"/></figure>



<p>Let’s start with the headline act: a show garden created in collaboration with His Majesty The King. The <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-sandringham-flower-show/news/2026/garden-line-up-and-royal-feature-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>RHS Royal Legacy Garden</strong></a>, designed by award-winning landscape designer Catherine MacDonald, celebrates the King’s long-standing passion for horticulture, sustainability and biodiversity &#8211; but this is no stiff, formal royal set piece. Expect pollinator-friendly planting, climate-resilient trees and bursts of colour within a relaxed, naturalistic, country-house garden design. Better still, unlike many show gardens, this one will remain at Sandringham Estate long after the event, becoming a permanent visitor attraction for years to come.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-chelsea-without-the-sw3-stress-levels">It’s Chelsea without the SW3 stress levels</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/06/Press-RHS-Hampton-Court-Garden-Festival.jpg" alt="RHS Sandringham" class="wp-image-79514"/></figure>



<p>Of course, there’s far more to RHS Sandringham than one very regal show garden. Scattered across the showground you’ll find plenty of other spectacular <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-sandringham-flower-show/gardens?type=112" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Show Gardens</strong></a>, creative ​​<a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-sandringham-flower-show/gardens?type=112" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Feature Gardens</strong></a>&nbsp;and the cleverly named <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-sandringham-flower-show/gardens?type=113" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Grow Forward Gardens</strong></a>, all packed with ideas you’ll want to shamelessly borrow for your own outdoor space. Climate-conscious planting will run through much of the show, but this isn’t about dull or dutiful gardening &#8211; expect bold borders, creative landscaping and plenty of ideas to get your green fingers twitching. </p>



<p>Competitive spirits can also get involved, with RHS medals handed out across the week and visitors invited to vote in the People’s Choice award. Basically, you’re encouraged to wander around judging everyone’s flowerbeds like you’ve secretly been on the Chelsea panel for years. And if your own borders are currently looking a little sad and sorry, head straight for the<strong> <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-sandringham-flower-show/gardens?type=110" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Long Borders</a></strong>, where designers are serving up practical inspiration, clever planting combinations and genuinely useful ideas you might&nbsp;<em>actually</em>&nbsp;be able to recreate at home. Praise be!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-ll-want-to-move-into-the-floral-marquee">You’ll want to move into the Floral Marquee </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/06/Press-220709_Shopping_0011.jpg" alt="RHS Sandringham" class="wp-image-79516"/></figure>



<p>This is where things get dangerously tempting. The Floral Marquee is a full-on feast of colour, scent and specialist growers &#8211; the kind of place where you go in “just to look” and come out with three plants you absolutely did not plan for. Taking centre stage is Norfolk favourite<strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.peterbealesroses.com/blog/the-countdown-to-show-season-is-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peter Beales Ros</a></strong><a href="https://www.peterbealesroses.com/blog/the-countdown-to-show-season-is-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>es</strong></a>, alongside a line-up of expert growers showcasing everything from rare varieties to garden classics. It’s also your chance to pick up proper advice from the people who actually grow this stuff for a living &#8211; so if your gardening track record is more “survival of the fittest” than “Chelsea medal winner,” this is the place to turn things around. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-there-will-be-expert-tips-live-talks-and-a-bit-of-garden-goss">There will be expert tips, live talks and a bit of garden goss</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/06/Press-RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show-2025_Sunday-18th-May_007.jpg" alt="RHS Sandringham" class="wp-image-79517"/></figure>



<p>This is very much the “dip in and out” part of the show. <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-sandringham-flower-show/talks-and-events" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>The Main Stage</strong></a> will be hosting talks and demonstrations from leading names in horticulture, alongside practical advice sessions covering everything from tricky borders to prize-winning veg. It’s equal parts inspiration and education, and yes you should most definitely be taking notes!</p>



<p>You’ll also find plenty happening beyond the stages. Live music drifts through the showground, with performances at the <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-sandringham-flower-show/talks-and-events" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Bandstand </strong></a>setting the soundtrack for the day, while roaming entertainment keeps things lively as you wander between gardens and stalls. It’s the sort of background buzz that makes the whole place feel like a proper summer day out rather than just a horticultural pilgrimage.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-foodie-line-up-is-worth-the-trip-alone">The foodie line-up is worth the trip alone</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/06/Press-Chelsea-Flower-Show_Candid-Shoot_May_2025_128.jpg" alt="RHS Sandringham" class="wp-image-79511"/></figure>



<p>A flower show on an empty stomach? Absolutely not! RHS Sandringham is leaning hard into the <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-sandringham-flower-show/food-drink" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">foodie offering</a>, with global street food stalls, artisan producers and the dangerously tempting Great Taste Market packed with cheeses, bakes and gourmet treats to take home. But, if you fancy something a little more elevated, book into The Delphinium Restaurant for seasonal British fine dining, or go full countryside chic with a Fortnum &amp; Mason picnic on the lawn.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yes-it-s-actually-really-child-friendly">Yes, it’s actually really child-friendly</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/06/Press-20220709_HC_0478.jpg" alt="RHS Sandringham" class="wp-image-79515"/></figure>



<p>If your children’s interest in gardening currently extends only to digging holes in the lawn, don&#8217;t worry, there’s still plenty to keep them entertained. The <strong><a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-sandringham-flower-show/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smoby Life Garden</a> </strong>features sustainable playhouses, outdoor toys and a new mud kitchen for messy little explorers, while younger visitors can also enjoy trails, games, face painting and hands-on activities across the showground. There’s even a chance for children to send “Leaf Letters” to The King and Queen by writing messages on leaves and posting them into special post boxes around the show. Cute levels: extremely high. <em>Plus</em> under 16&#8217;s go free!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-basically-it-s-the-ultimate-summer-day-out">Basically, it’s the ultimate summer day out</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/06/Press-RHS_Hampton_Court_Palace_Garden_Festival_172.jpg" alt="RHS Sandringham" class="wp-image-79512"/></figure>



<p>Whether you’re a fully fledged gardening obsessive, a casual flower admirer or simply someone who loves an excuse for a beautiful day outdoors, RHS Sandringham is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the summer social calendar, and yep we&#8217;re already planning our outfits. Think stunning gardens, brilliant shopping, expert inspiration, live entertainment, excellent food and all the floral dopamine of Chelsea &#8211; just with more space to breathe and considerably less London chaos. </p>



<p></p>



<p><em><strong>Wanna go?  <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-sandringham-flower-show" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RHS Sandringham Flower Show</a> runs from Wed 22 – Sun 26 July 2026, 10am–5pm, tickets: £38.90 – £43.06</strong></em></p>


Chelsea withdrawal? There’s a new flower show in town

You may also like