Topic explainer

Britain's Love of Gardening

The Chelsea Flower Show, the RHS and the millions of British people who tend a garden.

Gardening is one of Britain's most widespread hobbies. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804, runs four major garden shows each year — the most famous being the Chelsea Flower Show in west London each May, attended by the King and broadcast live. The RHS has its own gardens at Wisley in Surrey, Rosemoor in Devon, Harlow Carr in Yorkshire and Hyde Hall in Essex.

Further reading: an editorial guide on this topic opens in a new window for additional context.

Many British towns also have a network of "allotments": small plots of council-owned land that residents can rent to grow fruit and vegetables. Garden centres, which sell plants, tools and outdoor furniture, are a familiar weekend destination across the country.

You may be asked what the Chelsea Flower Show is, or which body organises it (the Royal Horticultural Society).

Test yourself on this topic

These questions from the official-format question bank cover the same material. Tap any question to see the correct answer and a short explanation.

Keep going

Related topic explainers