Muddy Stilettos

Think Chelsea and your mind immediately goes to wealthy locals, the fragrant Chelsea Flower Show and that reality TV series (a guilty pleasure, non?). Dig a little deeper, however, and you quickly discover this bouji borough’s also home to some of London&#8217;s top restaurants, buzzy bars and excellent shopping, not to mention lush parks and gardens. From the King’s Road stretching westwards, to Park Lane in the north and the River Thames to the south, this pretty pocket of the capital has always attracted a well-heeled crowd.&nbsp;



Chelsea Flower Show (21-25 May) is the prime time for Chelsea to shine and King&#8217;s Road businesses understand the assignment and go to town, swathing their shops in the most incredible floral displays – eyes peeled for PizzaExpress&#8217; floral pizza slice. If you&#8217;re heading into the Big Smoke for a bloomin&#8217; gorgeous day out, this is everything you need to know.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chelsea-flower-show">CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/floristry-great-pavion.jpg" alt="RHS Chelsea Flower Show " class="wp-image-92372" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/floristry-great-pavion.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/floristry-great-pavion-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">RHS Chelsea Flower Show </figcaption></figure>



Our favourite <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">annual flower show</a> is looming and whether you’re a veteran or visiting for the first time, here’s the tea.&nbsp;Unless you’re lucky enough to live in a swanky Chelsea townhouse (we wish), the best way to reach the show is by tube – hop off at Sloane Square Station – a 10-min stroll away. If you’re planing on driving, there’s a shuttle bus running between the show and (pre-booked) public parking at Battersea Park.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="997" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shutterstock_2344896093-scaled-e1715612908717.jpg" alt="Chelsea Flower Show 2023" class="wp-image-93040" /></figure>



This year there are 34 gardens to browse, including show gardens, sanctuary gardens and (love this), balcony&nbsp;and container garden inspo. It’s a fair old hike around them all, so give yourself at least four hours plus time to visit the stands, selling everything from plants to gardening gear, and pick up a glass or two of Pimms. 



There’s no dress code, but when Muddy visited last year it became clear that if you rock a floral dress, sun hat and flats or wide-legged trousers, T-shirt and trainers, you&#8217;re not going to look out of place. Our top tip? Visit on the final day and grab a botanical bargain at the Big Plant Sell-Off – an opportunity to grab the very best plants for an absolute steal.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="618" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/230522-cadogan-023.jpg" alt="The Birley Bakery (Chelsea in Bloom 2023)" class="wp-image-92441" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/230522-cadogan-023.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/230522-cadogan-023-600x371.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Birley Bakery (Chelsea in Bloom 2023)</figcaption></figure>



Not going to the show this year? You can still get a floral fix (and Instagram opps) at <a href="https://www.chelseainbloom.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chelsea in Bloom</a> (20 – 26 May). Yep, the borough’s retailers, hotels and restaurants go blooming crazy each year competing in the themed annual floral art show (London’s largest free flower festival). The 2024 theme is Floral Feasts, and we’re very much looking forward to walking the CIB route to see the amazing designs – our spies tell us <a href="https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/the-pheasantry-chelsea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pheasantry</a> PizzaExpress will be hanging a large floral pizza and pizza cutter above the entrance. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop-nbsp">SHOP&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="976" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-07-at-16.11.28-976x1000.png" alt="" class="wp-image-92429" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-07-at-16.11.28-976x1000.png 976w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-07-at-16.11.28-585x600.png 585w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-07-at-16.11.28.png 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 976px) 100vw, 976px" /></figure>



When in Chelsea, shopping is the law. As you’d expect from one of London’s wealthiest boroughs, the retail therapy is scorchio. <a href="https://www.johnlewis.com/our-shops/peter-jones" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peter Jones &amp; Partners</a> department store at the top of King’s Road is an old faithful, offering eight floors of fashion, homeware, beauty and accessories. 



Opposite Peter Jones is the entrance to <a href="https://dukeofyorksquare.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duke of York Square</a>, lined with top stores like LK Bennett, Joseph, COS, Self-Portrait, eateries like Polpo and a great farmers’ market each Saturday.&nbsp;



Designer-wise, the three-storey <a href="https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/locations/GB/Chelsea/3610">Ralph Lauren</a> store in Sloane Square is major &#8211; you can even take your dog (seriously, there are dog bowls in case your pooch gets pooped while out shopping).&nbsp;So Chelsea. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="576" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0446-scaled-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-92436" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0446-scaled-1.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0446-scaled-1-600x346.jpeg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">John Sandoe </figcaption></figure>



For books head to <a href="https://johnsandoe.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">John Sandoe</a>, when it comes to kids’ clothes nothing rivals <a href="https://amaialondon.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amaia</a> (gorgeous Spanish designs for babies, tots and kids up to 10), and <a href="https://signofthetimeslondon.com/pages/sott-locations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sign of the Times</a> has been the place for designer pre-loved for decades. Inspired to spruce up your outdoor space after the flower show? Next stop <a href="https://www.chelseagardener.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chelsea Gardener</a> on Sydney Street for all your botanical needs (and the&nbsp; outdoor café’s great too).&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Untitled-design-210.jpg" alt="The Pheasantry PIzzaExpress Kings Road Terrace" class="wp-image-93036" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Untitled-design-210.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Untitled-design-210-400x600.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Untitled-design-210-667x1000.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Once you&#8217;ve battered your credit card in Chelsea&#8217;s shops and at the Chelsea Flower Show, you’ll smash through your 10,000 step count. This level of social endurance requires the perfect pitstop. While you&#8217;re spoilt for choice for places to eat and drink in this pary of London, we&#8217;re drawn every time to the charm, affordability and &#8216;something for everyone&#8217; vibe at <a href="https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/the-pheasantry-chelsea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pheasantry</a> PizzaExpress King&#8217;s Road. 







The sunny outdoor terrace feels like an oasis away from the hustle of the main road. The restaurant is a famous live music venue with music every night of the week in its chic basement bar. The best bit? You get plenty of Romana for your readies (which means more cash to splash on shrubs and shoes) whether you&#8217;re popping in for a Picpouel de Pinet, Pimms, Leggara or lasagne. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="658" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-07-at-14.08.25.png" alt="The Pheasantry" class="wp-image-92354" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-07-at-14.08.25.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-07-at-14.08.25-600x395.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Pheasantry</figcaption></figure>



We&#8217;re not the only fans, Eva Longoria and celeb chef Marcus Wareing love a slice of PizzaExpress and there&#8217;s a long list of musicians who have performed here, including Brian May, Molly Ringwald and Julia Fordham as well as Eric Clapton and Queen back in the day. 



During the Chelsea Flower Show there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/the-pheasantry-chelsea#coming-soon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">live music</a> on 23, 24, and 25 May, so the perfect accompaniment to your La Reine and retail therapy, amiright? 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-don-t-miss-nbsp">DON&#8217;T MISS&#8230;&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Natures-Bounty-Table.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-92438" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Natures-Bounty-Table.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Natures-Bounty-Table-600x450.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Don&#8217;t leave without seeing the <a href="https://www.saatchigallery.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saatchi Gallery</a>, specifically Nature’s Bounty (23 May – 3 June), which includes an 8m floating table adorned with a floral feast. Also take a wander around <a href="https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Chelsea Physic Garden</a> on Royal Hospital Road, an oasis tucked away beside the River Thames and home to thousands of edible, medicinal and historical plants.&nbsp;

Flower power! Muddy’s insider guide to Chelsea

You may also like