Hampton Court in early July is a good one. Although it's big, it's on a large site so it doesn't feel crowded. Also, there's small nurseries selling plants (unlike Chelsea)

Are you prepared to fly up to Edinburgh? Gardening Scotland is smaller than Chelsea but much less crowded, fun, interesting and well worth visiting. Also plants and loads of stuff for sale. It is a weekend show, June 1 - 3.

Go a wee bit further a field to Keukenhoff.

Added this Question to GoYpedia Show Gardens :o)
Interesting question and fascinating answers.

Hi Andrewr do you have to prebook for a show like that?
Bulba I would love to fly up to scotland to a show but I dont think I could afford the excess baggage on the way back! lol.
Scotkat, WHERE???
Thankyou TT, been wanting to ask since I've been on here.
Does anyone know if you have to prebook all big shows?

You'll get some useful answers.
Lots of helpful GoYers :o)))

Chelsea certainly needs to be booked well in advance, because it sells out. About now is a good time.
Sorry can't help with the others, but you will get help with those here.

Probably best to prebook as it saves the queues on the day

Tatton in Cheshire is usually worth a visit.

Thanks everyone. There was a show last year at our county showground but it was on the same day as my godmothers 70th birthday so I was in Blackpool ! I will check it out this year though.
I have seen on the web that there is a "All about gardening" show at the Newbury showground in April, I used to go to this showground for dog shows & it is a nice place so might try that too.

Tatton is good as Gattina says, then there's Harrogate as well.

Have you thought about the Yellow book Gardens as well Willi there should be quite a few near you I would think.

Southport is another big well known one.

Yellow Book Gardens - well, there's mine in Berkshire (17th June)

My god I did'nt realise how many shows & gardens! I've looked online at the Yellow Book Gardens & there are so many just in Kent. I dont think I will get time to do anything else this year but look around gardens!

What a brilliant question Willi! I have booked to go to Gardeners World Live in Birmingham. Its not till June. I am meeting up with another Goyer. This is a brilliant site to make new friends! If you want to go to Chelsea or Hampton Court, it may be a good idea to join the Rhs and then you can go on the members only days which are not so crowded. You also get the added bonus of free seeds each year and you can go to Wisley or any of the RHS gardens Foc. A show more close to home is at the Detling showground at Maidstone. Theres one in May and then another in September. (You can get the dates online) I always go to those, lots of cheap plants of good size. I could go on but dont want to be boring!!! I will PM you.

I just misread your previous comment, Poppylover, and thought you had written "You can get dates online" and immediately, my brain went into stupid mode and for a moment I thought it offered a dating service too. Could be an idea....Like minds, like interests......Just a thought.

Ha Ha Gattina, Are you getting Cabin Fever already? You havn't resorted to eating your OH yet have you & looking for fresh meat on the internet!!! Lol.
Poppylover dont worry I wont get bored, I love it on here, its better than TV & FB.
Thanks for the info on local shows. I will PM you later x

Lol Gattina!!! Look forward to your PM Willi. x

Dates on line? Well Gattina I am getting on a bit and my first thought was dates to eat!

It must be me, getting all fired up. The other morning, when we had our power cut, and the electrician wasn't answering his 'phone, I called (on another neighbour's advice) the gentleman up the hill, who up until now has been a sweetie. He came and helped me to bypass the trip system on the fusebox, and had got in touch with the electrician by driving up the hill to where he was working, and he was supposed to call by later in the day. I offered a cup of coffee, and then said goodbye and thank you, at which point the neighbour pounced, and started muttering dirty things to me and put his (freezing) hands up my sweater. Yukk! (Do you know I have a feeling I've already told this story - sorry if that's the case). It's quite upset me, and for the life of me I can't see what the attraction in an unwashed, grubby, scruffy old woman in paint-spattered jeans is, but maybe it's all been too much and my mind's been affected. Hence the preoccupation with dating! All I could think of afterwards was how proud I was at being able to translate what he was saying to me.....I should be ashamed of myself. I promise I shall think of the edible sort next time. Dates, that is.

Hi Gattina, You did tell me in a PM but I didnt realise he went that far! I hope it didnt upset you too much & im sure you sent him off with a flee in his ear, MEN!!! I would of chopped him up for firewood. Lol.

The trouble is, Willinilli, we have to live in a small community, and you really cannot afford to fall out with your neighbours, whatever the provocation - it can make life very, very difficult. There's one feud that has been raging for over 30 years now, and it makes life difficult and unpleasant for everyone. It's positively mediaeval, sometimes. I made a joke of it, pushed him away and threatened to 'phone his girlfriend. He tried it on with Daughter about 4 years ago, and she wasn't so polite. I think it's just a male thing - I reckon if I'd responded positively, you wouldn't have seen him for dust.

Good for you girl.
I have one neighbour that I wouldnt push away. He is quite abit older than me but living here 25yrs I have always had my eye on him. My OH always winds him up about it. LOL

You wicked Willinilli, you!