This was my first time at the Show and I travelled all the way from Edinburgh, it was a very expensive experience and one I won't ever do again. I was there on the first RHS members day and thought it wouldn't be as busy - wrong!! It was so busy I had to fight my way to the front to see the show gardens and had to quickly take photos as other people were pushing through - didn't even get a chance to admire the gardens. The worst thing of all was the lack of seating areas - very poor. I was there with my elderly mum and she needs little rests in between walking around, there wasn't even any benches around for the elderly. All the seating areas were jam packed, even the picnic area was that busy there wasn't any space on the grass to sit. I had bought all day tickets and only stayed for 3 hours as it was so stressful trying to find a seat for my mum as she was exhausted. I saw several elderly people getting taken away to ambulance bays. I really think the RHS should take a long hard look at how many people they sell tickets to and accommodate for seating these people. They could have less stalls as there were 2 huge lines of stalls selling items. Or they could even try to extend it to 2 weeks and let less people in on each day. I go to other Gardening Events in Scotland and I have never had an issue with seating, they always provide ample seating for their events. I'll be watching in on TV again as I know I'll get a good look at the Show Gardens etc. Spent a fortune on travel, accommodation, show tickets and lunch and was only there for 3 hours - so disappointing :(

Good place for shopping, eating, and viewing art like the V&A and Saatchi Gallery.

The show had been on my list for years...I eventually got around to buying a ticket this year as I had been hoping for a free invitation from somewhere. I assure you...the show is not worth £50!!!

I would say that 85% of the place consists of market stalls trying to sell you stuff...either gardening stuff or food or ice cream...so the main activity ends up being shopping/browsing and eating.

We could not go into any of the sponsors gardens to have a close up view as they were roped off to the public...and frankly, they were nothing amazing...nothing that you have not already seen in an interiors magazine/grand designs programme or during "London Open House"...and there are not that many of them.

http://www.londonopenhouse.org/

Out of everything I saw, I found the BONSAI in the Grand Pavilion to be stunning....beautiful. I would never buy one for fear of killing it!

I see no reason to return...unless one day I get a free invitation!