Britain in Bloom

This has been the week of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show,and finally the sun has shone to show the flowers and gardens in their best light.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were be amongst the first to see the exhibits this year when they embarked on a private tour on Monday. The show then opened to the public on Tuesday in the grounds of the Royal Chelsea Hospital in west London, where it has been held since 1913

Some 157,000 visitors are expected to attend the event in the first week.

Highlights of this year’s show include a 24m (80ft) pyramid-shaped design by Diarmuid Garvin which stands at the entrance of the show.

The pyramid is made of scaffolding constructed over eight levels which are all covered in greenery but with different themes.

Throughout the country the National Garden Society has many local garden days where members of the public can visit gardens in their own neighbourhood.

“Every year NGS gardens across England and Wales welcome about 750,000 visitors. Most gardens which open for the NGS are privately owned and open just a few times each year. Some gardens open as part of a group with the whole community involved. The gardens give all the money raised directly to us (including from the sale of teas and plants); the only exceptions being in some cases they ask that a small proportion goes to a nominated local charity.

Our tradition of opening gardens of quality, character and interest is supported by our Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales.”

The village where I live has a garden day, usually at the end of May, when many beautiful gardens are open to visit.

If gardening is your passion, or maybe you just enjoy looking at gardens,then here at cruise.co.uk  we have exclusive Garden Cruises.  There are several departures throughout the year to choose from.

One of the highlights of this years programme is our 20th Anniversary Garden Cruise to the Canaries& Madeira on 3rd November. The cruise is hosted by David Hurrion, Matthew Biggs and Tony Russell on board Fred Olsen`s Balmoral, and will take you to the Canary Islands and Madeira. There will be garden tours in Madeira, Lisbon, La Gomera, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

A must for all garden enthusiasts!

Palheiro Gardens Madeira