Flower shows & festivals tours

Yes. Entry is part of the itinerary, along with the travel and the timings that make a busy show day work. Getting into the major shows independently, on the day you want and at a sensible hour, is precisely the difficult part these tours remove.

No. Every itinerary pairs the show with the gardens of the surrounding county, so a Chelsea tour also takes in classic English gardens and a Riviera festival sits alongside the coast's great villa gardens. The show is the fixed point the rest is built around. 

It varies by tour, and each itinerary says so. The days differ in character rather than quality: some busier and more social, others quieter for looking properly, and the itineraries are planned with that in mind.

Expert Tour Managers and horticulturalists who know these events well. At a show the size of Chelsea, that matters more than it sounds, since knowing which show gardens reward a long look and which nurseries are worth seeking out turns an overwhelming day into a rewarding one.

At most of the shows, yes, and the specialist nurseries are a large part of why many guests come. Bear in mind what you can realistically carry home, and check import rules before buying anything abroad.

A show day means several hours on your feet with limited seating, outdoors and whatever the weather. Each itinerary carries an activity level of light, moderate or active so you know what to expect before you book. 

As early as you can. These tours are tied to dates that cannot move, places are finite, and the best-known shows sell out furthest ahead.