The Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2025 takes place from 1 to 6 July, offering visitors the chance to explore stunning gardens, creative displays, and garden inspiration at the historic Hampton Court Palace. This annual event is one of the largest flower shows in the world and attracts both gardening experts and newcomers eager to see the latest trends. RHS Members can enjoy exclusive early access on 1 and 2 July.
Thousands of plants, unique show gardens, and expert advice create an engaging atmosphere for all ages. The festival also features a variety of food and drink options, making it a full day out for families, friends, and enthusiasts alike. With Hampton Court Palace as the backdrop, the event promises a memorable experience this summer.
Overview of the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2025
The Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2025 is hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and will take place in Molesey, Surrey. This annual event is known for its inspiring garden displays, educational experiences, and its unique setting at the historic Hampton Court Palace.
Key Dates and Location
The festival runs from 1 July to 6 July 2025. It is held in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace, which is located in Molesey, Surrey. This site has been chosen for its rich history and beautiful landscape.
Visitors can expect the event to open in line with palace hours. Entry to the festival is typically included in palace admission, with free entry for RHS members, though pre-booking is often required.
Getting to Hampton Court Palace is simple. It is accessible by train, car, or public transport. There are usually signs and staff on site to help direct guests to the festival areas.
Event Highlights
Main features of the 2025 festival include:
- Show gardens by top designers
- Floral marquees filled with rare and striking plants
- Plant sales and gardening advice clinics
There will also be talks, workshops, and guided tours focused on gardening innovations and trends. The festival celebrates vertical urban gardening and demonstrates the importance of plants for urban spaces and healthy living.
Exclusive shopping will be available, offering gardening tools, outdoor furniture, and decor. Food stalls and refreshment areas provide options for all tastes, making it comfortable for guests to spend the whole day.
This year’s event puts a special focus on family-friendly experiences, ensuring there is something to engage all age groups.
History and Significance
The RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival started in 1990. It was launched to complement the famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show and to bring garden excellence to a wider audience.
Hampton Court Palace, a former royal residence, provides a historic and attractive backdrop for the festival. The surrounding landscape gardens and palace architecture make the event stand out among garden shows.
Over the years, the festival has grown to become one of the largest flower shows in the world. It brings together professional and amateur gardeners, RHS members, and visitors who appreciate garden design and horticulture. Its setting in Surrey, close to London, makes it especially convenient for both local residents and those travelling from afar.
Show Gardens and Featured Garden Designs
The RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2025 will feature a wide array of show gardens highlighting expert design and imaginative planting. Visitors can expect both established and up-and-coming designers presenting vibrant, creative spaces that reflect the latest trends in British gardening.
Award-Winning Garden Designs
Every year, the festival presents show gardens that capture attention for their craftsmanship and high-quality design. Many of these gardens have received awards from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), recognising excellence in layout, planting combinations, and innovation.
Designers use a blend of classic and modern planting, focusing on sustainability and visual appeal. Visitors can see a mix of formal gardens, wildlife-friendly spaces, and cutting-edge urban retreats. These award-winning zones serve as inspiration for gardeners, highlighting practical ideas such as naturalistic borders, water features, and eco-friendly materials.
Garden designs are clearly labelled, with guides and signage explaining design concepts and plant choices. The goal is to make each garden informative and accessible for all visitors, from experts to beginners.
Emerging Designers
The festival also gives a platform to new and emerging garden designers. The “Get Started Gardens” is a section where young creatives display fresh ideas and unique approaches to small spaces. These gardens are often more experimental, blending interesting planting combinations with novel layouts.
RHS supports these designers with expert mentoring and feedback, ensuring each garden has a strong concept and good horticultural practice. Many visitors find this section especially inspiring, seeing how small gardens can be transformed with clever use of colour and texture.
For those interested in the future of garden design, these displays offer insight into new trends and directions within British horticulture.
Theme and Concepts for 2025
The 2025 festival will showcase gardens built around themes such as sustainable gardening, climate resilience, and biodiversity. Designers are using British native plants, water-wise schemes, and pollinator-friendly borders to reflect current environmental challenges.
Common features include rain gardens, green roofs, and wildlife habitats. The festival promotes gardens that encourage visitors to adopt sustainable practices at home. Educational displays highlight key facts and offer simple steps for greener gardening.
Throughout the grounds, each garden has a clear concept displayed, making it easy for visitors to connect the larger festival themes with individual designs. This helps gardeners to take practical ideas home and try new techniques in their own spaces.
Floral Displays and Plant Exhibits
Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2025 offers visitors a chance to explore stunning floral displays and a diverse array of plant exhibits. The event showcases both classic favourites and unusual plants, making it a highlight for garden enthusiasts and those new to gardening.
Floral Marquee Highlights
The Floral Marquee is a central attraction at the garden festival. Exhibitors from across the UK assemble impressive displays of flowers, from vibrant roses to striking dahlias. Visitors can walk through aisles lined with beautifully designed arrangements, each demonstrating expert craftsmanship and creativity.
Many specialist nurseries participate, offering guests a unique look at award-winning blooms and heritage varieties. Throughout the marquee, experts are available to answer questions and provide care advice. This helps visitors learn how to re-create these displays at home or find inspiration for their own gardens.
Key features include:
- Large collection of summer-blooming plants
- Colourful displays by RHS award-winning growers
- Opportunity to purchase feature plants
- Daily talks with experienced horticulturists
Gardeners can discover new trends in plant styling and get ideas for seasonal planting schemes. Educational stations and workshops also run during show days.
Rare and Unusual Plants
One major draw of the festival is its collection of rare and unusual plants. Nurseries bring species that are seldom seen in UK gardens, including exotic orchids, unusual ferns, and recently introduced cultivars.
Collectors and amateur gardeners can view and purchase plants that are difficult to find elsewhere. Informational placards highlight the origin and care needs of each plant, making it accessible for both experienced gardeners and beginners.
Visitors often find unique plants like Sarracenia (pitcher plants) or unusual alpine varieties on display. Curated exhibits showcase the adaptability and resilience of these plants. Many visitors attend specifically to discover something new for their gardens or collections.
Enthusiasts are encouraged to ask questions and take notes. This ensures they understand how to care for each species and make the most of their festival finds.
Visitor Experience and Activities
The Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2025 offers visitors a range of engaging activities and unique shopping opportunities. Attendees can take part in interactive sessions, learn from gardening experts, and enjoy family-friendly events throughout the week.
Workshops and Demonstrations
Workshops at the festival give visitors a chance to learn new gardening skills in an interactive setting. Expert gardeners offer practical demonstrations on plant care, sustainable gardening, and creative planting techniques.
There are free talks and demonstrations in themed theatres. Topics often include urban gardening, growing edible plants, and advice on caring for floral displays. These sessions are designed for gardeners at all levels.
The festival also highlights vertical gardening and other innovative approaches. Visitors can watch presenters explain methods step by step and ask questions directly to the experts. Many enjoy taking notes or filming demonstrations for later reference.
Exclusive shopping is available throughout the workshops area. Attendees can buy plants, seeds, gardening tools, and unique décor from selected stalls. Many products are not found in regular shops, which adds to the experience.
Family Activities
Families can enjoy a variety of activities designed especially for children. There are themed gardens where children are encouraged to explore textures, colours, and scents.
Interactive craft stations let children create their own small garden projects to take home. Workshops offer hands-on experiences such as planting seeds, making simple pots, or decorating plant labels.
There may be storytelling sessions, as well as garden trails with fun challenges to help young visitors engage with the festival’s gardens. The aim is to make the event educational and enjoyable for everyone in the family.
Families often appreciate spaces to relax, picnic, and watch live entertainment. Many stalls offer child-friendly food options, making the day convenient for parents and fun for kids.
How It Compares to the Chelsea Flower Show
The Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival and the Chelsea Flower Show are two of the most popular events run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). While both focus on gardens and horticulture, each event stands out for its atmosphere, accessibility, and unique offerings.
Distinctive Features
RHS Chelsea Flower Show is held in central London and is known for its prestige. It features smaller, highly designed show gardens with cutting-edge trends and innovation. Tickets can be hard to get, and prices are usually higher than for other gardening events. The show enjoys significant media attention and often attracts celebrities, gardening professionals, and even members of the Royal Family.
RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival takes place on the spacious grounds of Hampton Court Palace. The festival has a more relaxed and family-friendly feel. It offers much larger gardens and more hands-on features, such as workshops, talks, and demonstrations. There is also a strong focus on plant sales, food, and entertainment, making it popular with casual visitors and garden enthusiasts alike.
| Feature | Chelsea Flower Show | Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Chelsea, London | Hampton Court Palace, Surrey |
| Atmosphere | Exclusive, formal | Relaxed, family-oriented |
| Garden Size | Compact, detailed | Expansive, immersive |
| Accessibility | Tickets limited, pricey | Easier to get tickets, more affordable |
Visitor Tips
It is important to book tickets to both events early, but Hampton Court tickets are easier to find and less expensive. Chelsea can be crowded with queues to see the most popular gardens, so visitors may need patience and good walking shoes.
For those interested in shopping for plants or gardening products, Hampton Court offers a wider range, with many specialist growers and nurseries present. The larger site also makes it easier for families or groups to move around and enjoy picnics or entertainment.
Those who prefer smaller crowds and a more laid-back experience should choose Hampton Court. Chelsea, on the other hand, is best for those who want to see the latest garden design trends and possibly spot a famous gardener or a Royal visitor. Both events provide special access and support for people with disabilities, but the larger grounds at Hampton Court may be less crowded and more comfortable for those with mobility needs.
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