Attend the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
The RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is a multi‑day summer horticultural show held across the palace grounds and the East Front Gardens. Expect a mix of judged show gardens, smaller feature displays, floristry, specialist plant nurseries and an extensive trade marquee that promotes new plants, hard landscaping and design ideas. Plan for a substantial day on site: routes through temporary display areas and marquees mean movement between distinct zones, plus opportunities for talks and practical demonstrations. The festival is best experienced with a loose plan — pick several show gardens to study, allow time for the trade marquees and leave space for specialist shopping or a themed workshop. The event suits visitors who want design inspiration, plant discovery and specialist shopping; it also works well as a social day out when paired with a short walk through the wider Hampton Court Palace gardens or a visit inside the palace (separate admission may apply). Ticket types vary (standard day, concession, members and hospitality packages) so check current RHS and festival ticket pages before booking. To get the most from the visit, book tickets in advance (RHS shows often limit daily entry), arrive early to avoid peak queues, and allow time for travel and any optional palace entry. Check the RHS festival page for the current year’s opening times, site map and any temporary access or transport arrangements.