RHS Chelsea Week 2024: Our Highlights

As the sun sets on the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for another year, we take a look back at some of our favourite moments

We had a magical time at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. While at points it felt like Chelsea Shower Show thanks to the unrelenting deluge, rain didn’t stop play. It was pertinent in highlighting 2024’s themes. These included: the greenest Chelsea ever, proving that great design and sustainability can go hand in hand, using water wisely, the joy of gardens, and how to attract a younger, more diverse audience to gardening.

Our Roman garden allowed visitors a glimpse back in time to ancient Pompeii, while also learning about planting for the future. The Fine Cyder was free flowing, and it was wonderful to explore the many storied gardens on Main Avenue and dotted around the Royal Hospital grounds. We welcomed friends new and old under the lily pads to enjoy seasonal delights from Somerset, provided respite from the Great British Weather and played a small part in inspiring budding gardeners along the way. In our third year as sponsor, it’s been a pleasure to support the RHS in their mission to safeguard the future of horticulture for generations to come. As such, we’re looking forward to welcoming this year’s RHS Chelsea cohort to Somerset in the near future.

15 Memorable Moments from 2024

• Meeting TM King Charles and Queen Camilla on day one, on the King’s second week as Patron of the RHS.

• Welcoming the Italian Ambassador, Inigo Lambertini and his wife, Maria Grazia Lambertini, to officially declare our Roman Garden open. It was a beautiful, blue-skied morning to make an offering of flowers and wine at the shrine, with the Ambassador proclaiming: “Long life to you, drink, and good health”. 

• Showing visitors, from acting royalty Richard E Grant to gardening royalty, Monty Don around our Roman Garden and highlighting the importance of waterwise gardens and planting for wellbeing. We spread the word about our green-fingered Roman ancestors to inspire fellow garden lovers (and history buffs) to visit our Roman Villa Experience at The Newt. 

• Celebrating the RHS Gala evening in true Somerset style; sipping Fine Cyder, Babylonstoren rosé and estate grown canapés at our Hospitality Suite, against a backdrop of golden hour sunshine and live music. 

• Broadcasting the BBC Weather live from our Roman Garden on day one of the show. 

• Throwing a vibrant cocktail party to toast the show, and the start of the summer season, with Vanity Fair, at our Hospitality Suite. The air was heady with Diptyque while our sparkling cyder, Babylonstoren’s newest 2024 rosé release, margaritas and botanical-themed cocktails flowed until late. 

• Pouring tasters of Fine Cyder at our Cyder Stand, bedecked with wall-to-wall British Bramley apples. 

• Interviewing Chelsea Gold medal winners Tom Massey and Je Ahn on the importance of collaboration and blending their complimentary skills as landscape designer and architect to create an innovative garden for the future.

• Watching our Head of Creative, Atsushi converse in Japanese with landscape artist Kazuyuki Ishihara at his tranquil sanctuary garden ‘MOROTO no IE’, before shotting whisky together to toast a silver-gilt win.

• Providing the perfect central selfie spot between us and our neighbouring Babylonstoren Mourvèdre Rosé stand. Sampling both was definitely the way to go, especially when diving for cover during showers. 

• Learning from Andy Jasper, Director of Parks and Gardens at National Trust, that the much missed Sycamore Gap tree lives on. Around 200 saplings have been grown from seeds and cuttings, the first of which has been presented to King Charles to plant in Windsor Great Park.

• Seeing familiar faces and friends of The Newt enjoy a taste of Somerset throughout the week in the verdant surroundings of our Hospitality Suite, from members and guests to the next generation of young horticulturists. 

• Collaborating with the Financial Times for a celebratory soirée, ‘How to Weekend’. Guests enjoyed cocktail masterclasses, ceramics workshops with Martha Freud, Babylonstoren wine tastings and a behind the scenes insight into our Roman Garden from the experts.

• Hosting the Chelsea Pensioners and seeing our Events Manager, Beth Hiscock, enthusiastically ringing the bell to mark the end of the show for 2024.  

• Soaking up every second of a brilliantly bonkers week and seeing our talented team shine. 

If you’re wondering what happens to the gardens once Chelsea is over, you can rest assured that every single garden is living on. They go to schools, hospitals, community gardens, and new permanent homes, ensuring visitors can enjoy award-winning show gardens in new places. Our Roman Garden planting is coming back to The Newt, with the structure set to enjoy a new lease of life with friends in Italy.