Chelsea Flower Show is branded ‘awful’ due to mega crowds and influx of influencers as organisers urged to revamp event

This year’s Chelsea Flower Show was described as “awful” and overcrowded with camera-wielding influencers, with critics calling on organizers to revamp the event.

The Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) world-famous show attracts more than 150,000 visitors and millions of TV viewers.

But visitors to this week’s event took to X to complain about overcrowding that made it impossible to see the shows.

One participant described ‘nonexistent’ crowd control and seeing ‘people needing wheelchairs due to exhaustion, some fainting from the heat’.

Another added: ‘Just went to the Chelsea Flower Show. He was mobbed! It’s boiling and there’s nowhere to sit. Since there are no big signs, you can easily see where you are going, especially at the main entrances. The map and brochure also cost £18!’

The show opened its doors to celebrities, royalty and influencers on Monday before opening to the public from Tuesday to Saturday.

The participants, who said they were overwhelmed by the crowd, called for a limit on the number of people who can go.

Tickets cost around £107; Show guide and map are available at an additional cost of £18.

One garden enthusiast complained that the show had become ‘elitist’ and lacked focus on what makes it special.

Another said: ‘This is a circus! We want to see the gardens, the designers and exhibitors who put effort into their work, not just the celebrities who go there to be seen.’

Phenomenon Sarah Parry took to X to complain about the ‘horrible’ situation at the show.

He said: ‘Not my usual tweet but I want a bit of a rant. I bought 2 tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show as a gift and went with a friend yesterday.

‘We paid for overnight accommodation in a hotel, train fare and meals. I can truly say it was TERRIBLE.

‘It was incredibly crowded, there were so many people it made walking impossible; We were being pushed by the crowd.

‘I couldn’t see any of the show gardens because the struggle to see them was between 5 people. Even if you had gotten ahead, you were under pressure to keep going.

‘After 3 hours we gave up and headed to the Chelsea Physic Garden, a lovely oasis of calm along the way.

‘Those who organized the demonstration should be ashamed of themselves. ‘The number of visitors needs to be limited and I feel very sorry for everyone for whom this is their long-awaited first visit.’

Another X user shared Ms Parry’s concerns, saying: ‘The disappointment she felt when I discovered the inadequate eight gardens and a handful of balcony gardens in the vast and beautiful grounds of the Royal Chelsea Hospital was immense.

‘Instead of a cacophony of flowers, there was a cacophony of floral clothing and stalls selling flowers to the masses, obscuring the view of the sparse gardens.’

He continued: ‘Try not to be caught on camera by shadowing an influencer’s carefully chosen shot.

Celebrities took to the stage at Monday’s special show. The King, Sir David Beckham, Grayson Perry, Kim Cattrall, Dominic West, Brian May, Bill Bailey, Aisling Bea and Judi Dench arrived

This year’s show was branded ‘awful’ by critics who said they were ‘pushed around’ by large crowds and swayed and twisted to avoid pictures.

‘I’m sure it’ll be fun on preview day, with rabble like me barred from entry but still missing… well, gardens!’

He called for a limit on the number of visitors allowed to the show and said the ‘endless spectacle is at odds with what should be a natural and inspiring experience’.

At the fair, where a total of 36 gardens were exhibited, awards were given to the best ones.

RHS Chelsea Garden of the Year was Campaign to Preserve England’s Rural Garden: ‘On the Border’ 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 unhappy with the density of the crowd, which also seemed to be an issue the year before.

Another disgruntled showgoer said: ‘Went for the 1st time last year as a gift ticket….. NEVER AGAIN!!!! There are too many people, you can’t even get close to the exhibits and you are herded like cattle. WRETCHED.’

One Chelsea resident said: ‘This year has been the worst year ever. We’re not jealous of the event itself, but there’s no doubt the organizers oversold tickets this year.

‘I’ve tried to do some work around the King’s Road before and it was impossible. Too many crowds are pouring into the road as tourists continue to bottleneck the pavement trying to take photos of the store fronts.

‘It was actually dangerous for vehicles to have to constantly leave the road. ‘This is terrible and something needs to be done.’

Critics said the show focused on celebrities and being ‘seen’ there, rather than flowers and their designers. Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe were seen together on the show, in the trio’s first public appearance since they were announced as Strictly Come Dancing Judges.

One commenter even said a man crashed into a car on The King’s Road and had to be taken away by ambulance, blocking traffic for hours.

Another person spoke to the crowd, saying: ‘We were in Chelsea on Wednesday and the weather was terrible, King’s Road was very busy and as you said people were blocking the pavements and taking pictures of the flowers in front of the shop.

‘I didn’t know you were this busy, we literally walked down the End of the World and kept walking, too busy to enjoy it.’

The Daily Mail has contacted the RHS for a comment.