As a new RHS member I'm sampling the delights of my venture this year, and have managed visits to both Chelsea (which was completely amazing) and the Hampton Court Show.
The visit to Hampton Court necessitated a bit of park and ride at the start. Easy car parking was followed by a quick bus trip and the a little bit of magic in the shape of a ferry ride down the Thames to Hampton Court.
The event was magnificently organised from start to finish. Although very busy, the site is so spacious and well laid out that we did not ever feel corralled or under pressure, and all facilities from gardens, to loos, to cafes, shops and restaurant easily accessible and relaxed.
And the gardens were delightful! Their scale and planting meant that one could actually imagine reproducing (on however humble a scale) some of their ideas and plant combinations. And joy of joys, much of what was on display was also for sale in the marquees and shops. A little bit of genius meant that small collapsible trolleys were widely available for purchase, to make taking all the goodies home very easy.
So back to the ride and park and another bit of magic, Thames ferries with little trolleys strapped to their roofs sprouting achillea, grasses, hollyhocks, salvia and a riot of other herbacious colour and texture. A very enviable roof garden indeed, turning the close of lovely day into a little river pageant of our own.
