Event terms and conditions
LAST UPDATED: September 2025
Ƶ (the “RHS”) is a charity registered in England and Wales (Reg. No. 222879) with a registered address at 80 Vincent Square, London, SW1P 2PE. References to “we”, “us” and “our” in these Terms means the RHS.
The RHS operates the following events from time to time:
- RHS Chelsea Flower Show;
- RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show;
- RHS Sandringham Flower Show;
- RHS Badminton Flower Show;
- RHS Flower Show Tatton Park;
- RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse; and
- RHS Urban Show,
each of which are referred to as an “Event” in these Terms.
These Terms will also apply to other events that the RHS operates from time to time unless other terms and conditions are expressly stated as applying instead of these Terms. Separate terms apply to RHS Glow, events in RHS Gardens and RHS Chelsea Flower Show Charity Gala Preview and group bookings for 15 people or more.
1. Understanding these Terms and other terms that apply to the Event
1.1.&Բ; These terms and conditions (“Terms”) set out the terms on which any person (“you” or “your”) may purchase and use a ticket to attend an Event.
1.2. We use a third-party ticketing provider, AXS, who operates a ticketing platform and processes our ticket sales on our behalf. When you purchase an Event ticket, you will need to read and accept the at the time of your purchase, in addition to these Terms.
1.3. By purchasing or being issued with a ticket, you and any other person who receives a ticket you purchase accept:
1.3.1. these Terms, including our Showground Regulations set out in Annex A of these Terms ;
1.3.2. any other Event-specific or ticket-specific terms notified to you at the time of purchase; and
1.3.3. any other terms and conditions notified to you at the time of purchase by our authorised official partners who sell, allocate and issue tickets to you on our behalf for an Event and/or provide services in relation to an Event.
1.4. If you want to book 15 tickets or more for an Event, then you must make a group booking, by emailing [email protected]. Group bookings are subject to availability and the RHS Group Booking Terms, which will be notified to you before you make a group booking.
1.5. If you purchase other items at the same time as Event tickets (such as RHS membership, meals and hospitality in connection with an Event, workshops, tours, show guides or mobility hire), additional terms and conditions may apply which will be notified to you before you make your purchase.
1.6. If there is any inconsistency between these Terms and any other terms and conditions applicable to an Event, then these Terms will prevail (unless the other terms expressly state they override these Terms).
2. Updates to these Terms
2.1. We update these Terms annually before tickets are released for new Events.
2.2. We may also update these Terms at other times if we have a valid reason to do so (for example, to comply with any applicable law or regulation or for reasons of health and safety and security). The “Last Updated” date is set out at the top of these Terms on our website.
2.3. If we update these Terms after you have purchased your Event tickets and you do not agree with the update, you should complete a feedback form, or use the other means of getting in touch, as set out on the Contact us page, and do so promptly before attending the Event. If any update materially alters the Event or your rights and obligations to your disadvantage, you will be entitled to a refund or an exchange of your tickets in accordance with these Terms, provided you notify us within 30 days of the updated Terms being published on our website or communicated to you.
3. Purchase and Use of Event Tickets3.1. Event tickets must be purchased with the sole intention of being used by you and your invited guests (“
Guests”).&Բ;
3.2. If you are purchasing RHS member Event tickets, you must have a valid RHS membership both at the time of purchase and the time of the Event.
3.3. You must apply for any concessions or discounts to Event tickets (such as member discounts, promotions and child and carer tickets) at the time of ticket purchase. No concessions or discounts will be applied retrospectively.
3.4. For the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, you may purchase a maximum of four tickets for the Event.
3.5. Tickets are non-refundable. You and your Guests may only transfer, exchange or resell your Event tickets (or offer, promote or advertise them for transfer, exchange or resale) as set out in these Terms.
3.6. You and your Guests must not use Event tickets as prizes in promotions, hospitality or travel packages, auctions, sweepstakes, fundraising, raffles, lotteries or competitions (including charity auctions, lotteries or competitions) without our prior written consent.
3.7. All tickets remain the property of the RHS.
4. Consequences for non-compliance4.1. If you or your Guests do not comply with these Terms or fail to pay any amounts due for your Event tickets, we may:
4.1.1. cancel or void the Event tickets issued to you and your Guests;
4.1.2. refuse admission to the Event for you and your Guests; and
4.1.3. require you and your Guests to leave the Event.
5. Ticket Transfer or Exchange5.1. You may gift or transfer one or more of your Event tickets to a Guest provided that:
5.1.1. the Guest is personally known to you, such as a family member or friend, and the tickets are for their personal use only;
5.1.2. the gift or transfer is either free of charge or for a payment or benefit which does not exceed the face value of the ticket; and
5.1.3. you ensure your Guests comply with these Terms.
5.2. If you are unable to attend an Event for which you have tickets, at our discretion and subject to availability, we may agree to exchange your Event tickets for alternative tickets of equal or lesser face value for:
5.2.1. the same Event on a different date or time; or
5.2.2. a different Event in the same calendar year as the year of your Event tickets.
5.3. If alternative tickets are only available at a price that is higher than the amount you originally paid, we may offer you the option to exchange your Event tickets by paying the difference in price. An administration fee of £5 will apply for each Event ticket that we agree to exchange.
5.4. To discuss the possibility of exchanging your Event tickets, you must at least 14 days before the Event start date shown on your ticket.
5.5. We will only exchange Event tickets that you acquired via AXS or and which have not been acquired, transferred or used in breach of these Terms or where we reasonably believe that to be the case.
6. Resale of Tickets6.1. You must not purchase Event tickets with the intention of reselling them above face value or for any commercial gain.
6.2. If you are unable to attend the Event, you may resell your Event tickets at face value only via subject to their terms and conditions.
6.3. We are not responsible for any loss you suffer if you purchase Event tickets from third parties in breach of these Terms. Any complaints or claims for compensation should be directed to those third parties.
7. Cancellation and Curtailment of an Event7.1. We may, acting reasonably, cancel, reschedule and/or close an Event at any time. This may include situations involving adverse weather conditions, security concerns, health and safety concerns, government regulations and any other reasonable cause.
7.2. We may also cancel or reschedule an Event due to circumstances that are outside of our reasonable control.
7.3. If we cancel or reschedule an Event, we will provide you with notice of any change as soon as it is reasonably practicable to do so.
7.4. We will keep a record of any period when an Event is closed and, provided we have acted reasonably in our recording, our record of the Event’s duration will be final.
8. Refund policy8.1. If you purchased an Event ticket and we cancelled or rescheduled the Event, you will be entitled to a refund of ticket’s face value and any booking fee.
8.2. If you purchased an Event ticket where we close the Event:
8.2.1. if the closure is for more than 50% of the time for which your ticket is valid, you may claim a refund of the face value of the Event ticket and any booking fee; and
8.2.2. if the closure is for 50% or less of the time for which your ticket is valid, you will not be entitled to a refund.
This applies regardless of whether you attend the Event when it is open. For example, if your Event ticket grants you access between 4pm and 8pm (4 hours in total) and the Event is closed for more than 2 hours during that period, you may claim a refund of the face value and any booking fee. However, if the Event is closed for 2 hours or less, you will not be entitled to a refund.
8.3. If you are entitled to a refund, we may offer you an alternative option, such as a ticket to a different Event or a rescheduled Event or the opportunity to donate the face value of the ticket to us as a charitable donation. If you do not choose any of these options, you are still entitled to claim a refund in accordance with these Terms.
8.4. In some circumstances, for example where an Event is cancelled in its entirety and no alternative tickets are offered, we and AXS may automatically issue a refund to the original purchaser of the tickets using the original payment method. You will be notified of any automatic refunds.
8.5. If you believe you are entitled to a refund but have not been contacted by us, you must apply for a refund within 30 days of the date you became entitled to that refund. Failure to do so means that you will lose your right to a refund. To request a refund .
8.6. If you are entitled to a refund, only the face value of the relevant Event ticket and any booking fee will be refunded. If you purchased RHS membership at the same time as your ticket, the membership fee will not be refunded.
8.7. If you are seeking a refund or exchange for other items that you purchased alongside Event tickets (such as meals, hospitality, workshops, tours, show guides or mobility hire), they may be subject to the separate terms and conditions that we or our official partners, notify to you at the time of booking. Please refer to those additional terms and conditions that may apply.
8.8. Our liability for the cancellation, rescheduling or partial or full closure of an Event is limited to offering you a refund in accordance with these Terms or, if you prefer, tickets to a different Event or a rescheduled Event where we offer that as an alternative option. We will not be liable to you or any other ticket holder for any other losses, costs or expenses, including without limitation, the costs of any travel, accommodation or other arrangements made in connection with the Event.
9. Children9.1. For RHS Chelsea Flower Show:
9.1.1. Babes in arms under 1 year of age are allowed but not encouraged due to the unsuitability of the environment within the showground. Prams, pushchairs and buggies are not permitted within the showground but may be left at the owner’s risk in the facilities provided outside the showground. Wristbands will be available on request to allow exit and re-entry to the showground;
9.1.2. any child aged 1 to 4 is not permitted due to the unsuitability of the environment within the showground; and
9.1.3. any child aged 5 to 16 on the date of the Event must have a separate valid ticket for the Event, be accompanied by an adult and comply with these Terms.
9.2. For all Events other than the RHS Chelsea Flower Show:
9.2.1. any child under 5 on the date of the Event will be permitted free of charge without the need for a separate ticket for the Event. Prams, pushchairs and buggies are also permitted; and
9.2.2. any child aged 5 - 16 on the date of the Event must have a separate valid ticket for the Event, issued free of charge, be accompanied by an adult and comply with these Terms.
9.3. We reserve the right to update our policy on children attending our Events at any time. Where reasonably practicable, we will notify you of those changes in writing in advance if you are likely to be detrimentally affected.
10. Exhibitors10.1. Events may include the display, marketing and sale of goods or services by third party exhibitors.
10.2. Whilst we take reasonable care in selecting the exhibitors at our Events, we do not endorse any third-party products or services, and we are not liable for exhibitors’ products or services.
10.3. If you purchase any goods or services from an exhibitor at an Event, any resulting agreement or terms are solely between you and the exhibitor.
10.4. Any complaints or issues relating to third party goods or services should be directed to the relevant exhibitor.
10.5. We may change the format, layout and/or nature of an Event and do not guarantee the presence of any particular feature, exhibitor or person.
11. Privacy11.1. When you purchase a ticket for an Event and attend an Event, your personal data will be processed by the RHS and our authorised partners to arrange for your tickets to be dispatched, provide you with any goods or services that you have ordered and send you such information that may be helpful for you to attend the Event.
11.2. We have CCTV cameras operating at all our Events for the purposes of crime prevention and public safety.
11.3. We may have photography and filming taking place at our events. Photography and filming notices will be displayed at the Event if this is the case.
11.4. For information about how we process your personal data please see the ‘Customers’ section in the
RHS Privacy Policy.
12. Rights, interpretation and enforcement12.1. You are not permitted to use, alter, copy or otherwise deal with any of our trade marks, logos or intellectual property or those of our sponsors, suppliers, exhibitors and authorised partners without prior written consent.
12.2. Each clause of these Terms operates separately. If any clause is found by a court or relevant authority to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining clauses will remain in full force and effect.
12.3. If we do not enforce any part of these Terms, or delay in doing so, that does not mean that we have waived our rights or that you are no longer required to comply with your obligations. Any waiver of a breach by you will only be effective if given in writing and will not apply to any future breaches.
12.4. These Terms, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
12.5. If you are a consumer, you may bring legal proceedings relating to these Terms either in the competent court of your place of residence or in the competent court of our place of business in England. If we wish to enforce any of our rights against you as a consumer, we may do so only in the courts of the jurisdiction in which you are a resident.
13. Feedback and Complaints 13.1. If you experience any issues during an Event, please bring this to our immediate attention at the Visitor Information stand at the Event.
13.2. You may submit feedback or a complaint by completing a feedback form on the
Contact us page.
ANNEX A
SHOWGROUND REGULATIONS
A. Understanding these Showground RegulationsA.1. These showground regulations
Showground Regulations apply to you if you attend an Event. They apply to the area where the Event is held and the surrounding areas or other property that we control (such as routes of access on private land and Event car parks).
A.2. We may amend these Showground Regulations as set out in clause 2 of the Terms.
A.3. By entering an Event you accept these Showground Regulations.
B. Entry and exclusion from the ShowgroundB.1. To enter an Event, you must hold a valid ticket. You must show your valid ticket to our authorised personnel on request.
B.2. For the RHS Chelsea Flower Show only, if you leave the Event, you will not be allowed to re-enter.
B.3. Our authorised personnel may search you and your belongings on entry and at any other time during the Event.
B.4. You must comply with any oral or written instructions given by us, our stewards and any police officers.
B.5. If you refuse to comply with a search request or our instructions, or if we reasonably consider it appropriate for any other reason, we may refuse you entry or require you to leave the Event and possibly exclude you from future Events. No refund or compensation will be given in these circumstances.
C. AnimalsC.1. Assistance dogs are welcome at all of our Events, in all areas that you are permitted to access.
C.2. For the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, animals are not permitted except for assistance dogs.
C.3. For Events other than the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, please check the ticket website information to confirm whether dogs (other than assistance dogs) are permitted for the specific Event you plan to attend. No other animals are permitted.
C.4. Where you intend to bring a dog to an Event (which is either an assistance dog or a dog which is otherwise permitted to attend the Event), you must:
(a) bring no more than one dog per booking;
(b) ensure that your dog is in good health and has not harmed or shown aggressive or threatening behaviour toward any person or other dog before attending the Event;
(c) keep your dog on a lead, supervised and under your control at all times at the Event;
(d) not enter any areas of the Event with your dog (other than assistance dogs) where dogs (other than assistance dogs) are not permitted, including any restaurant areas which are in permanent or temporary indoor structures;
(e) clean up after your dog using the bins provided; and
(f) ensure that you look after your dog’s wellbeing, including not leaving them in parked vehicles, ensuring they have adequate drinking water and taking care on metal trackways which can heat up in the sun.
C.5. We may refuse your dog entry, require your dog to leave the Event and possibly exclude your dog from future Events if:
(a) your dog is, or appears to be, aggressive, threatening, dangerous or disruptive;
(b) we believe that your dog may cause harm toward any person, property or other dog; or
(c) we are concerned about the wellbeing of your dog.
C.6. You are liable for your dog and any harm or damage caused by your dog. We may hold you responsible for any claims, costs, loss, damage and liability caused by your dog.
D. Smoking, vaping and drinkingD.1. Smoking and vaping are not permitted in any enclosed spaces at an Event.
D.2. For the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, you may not bring your own alcohol.
D.3. The sale of alcohol to individuals under 18 is not permitted and we may conduct age verification checks.
D.4. We may refuse to serve alcohol to any person at our discretion.
D.5. We may close any bar or restrict the service or drinking of alcohol at any time.
E. Prohibited behaviours and activitiesE.1. The following behaviours and activities are not permitted:
(a) any conduct or language directed towards a person that amounts to discrimination or harassment on the basis of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation;
(b) any use of any foul, threatening, abusive, insulting obscene or indecent language, gestures or chanting; (c) any excessive noise or behaviour likely to cause distress, confusion, nuisance or disruption of any kind;
(d) any interruption of filming or recording being carried out by us or our authorised partners or press;
(e) any behaviour that is dangerous or reckless to yourself or any other person or property;
(f) any climbing on buildings, fences, walls, structures or fittings at an Event;
(g) any activity seeking to exploit the publicity value of an Event without our consent, including activity for the purpose of making a political protest or promoting a cause, belief, product or service;
(h) any sale or distribution of samples, written materials, tickets, offers, merchandise or any other promotional materials without our consent;
(i) carrying out any charitable collections or promotion of petitions; and
(j) any other behaviour or activity that is unlawful or which, in our reasonable opinion, could cause harm, nuisance or disruption.
E.2. If we reasonably consider that you have engaged in any prohibited activities or are likely to do so, we may refuse you entry or require you to leave the Event and possibly exclude you from future Events.
F. Prohibited ItemsF.1. You may not bring any of the following into an Event:
(a) drones, large flags, banners, laser pointers, fireworks, flares, pyrotechnics, any other flaming or explosive devices, smoke canisters and cooking equipment;
(b) rattles, air horns, klaxons, musical instruments and any other noise-making devices;
(c) bicycles, skates, scooters or similar wheeled items (other than mobility scooters and wheelchairs);
(d) weapons and items that could reasonably be used as a weapon (including firearms, knives and other sharp or pointed objects);
(e) any other items and clothing intended for the use in prohibited behaviours and activities set out in paragraph E.1;
(f) any equipment for photography, filming, videoing or recording which is for commercial use, or which we reasonably believe to be for commercial use, unless you have our prior written consent;
(g) any other item which is illegal or which, in our reasonable opinion, could be used to cause harm, nuisance or disruption; and
(h) at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show only, alcohol, prams, pushchairs and buggies.
F.2. If you have any item at an Event that is not permitted under paragraph
F.3. we may confiscate the item and dispose of it without compensation. We may also refuse you entry or require you to leave the Event and possibly exclude you from future Events.
G. Taking care in the ShowgroundG.1. An Event may take place outdoors on open parkland or indoors in temporary or permanent structures.
G.2. Outdoor areas are affected by weather and ground conditions, and while temporary paths may be provided, much of the ground may be uneven or slippery, especially in bad weather.
G.3. Indoor areas may also include uneven or temporary flooring, staging or other features that require caution, and the structure may not be weatherproof.
G.4. In warm weather there may be high temperatures and high levels of UV, pollen and tree dander. Shade at the Event may be limited. Water bottle refill points are available at our Events.
G.5. We strongly recommend checking the weather forecast before you visit, thinking about how conditions may affect the Event and your experience, wearing suitable clothing and footwear, and taking relevant precautions.
G.6. In the event of extreme weather or other safety concerns, access to certain areas (whether outdoors or indoors) may be restricted or closed for safety reasons.
G.7. Some of our Events cover a large area with many exhibits and exhibitors so that you can chose your experience at the Event. You may not have sufficient time to see all the exhibits and exhibitors in one visit.
G.8. Whilst we plan our Events to include adequate seating, available seats may be limited, particularly at peak times.
H. Photography and filmingH.1. We, our authorised partners and press may engage in filming, photography and broadcasting during an Event. We, our authorised partners and press have priority over locations at the Event and access to some areas may be restricted for this purpose.
H.2. All intellectual property rights in the images or recordings made at an Event by us or our authorised partners and press are owned by those taking the image, film or recording.
H.3. By attending the Event, your image, likeness and voice may be recorded and used in TV broadcasts, online streaming, press and online media, podcasts, promotional materials and other media. We and our authorised partners may use your image, likeness and voice anywhere in the world, in any media (whether it exists now or is developed in the future), for purposes related to the Event, including charitable, commercial and promotional uses. You will not be paid or credited for this use.
H.4. Any photographs, films, videos or recordings of an Event that you make may only be used for personal use. Commercial use of them is not permitted without our written consent.
I. Our liability to youI.1. You enter an Event at your own risk.
I.2. We are not responsible to you if your loss:
(a) is unexpected: it was not obvious that it would happen (so, in the law, the loss was unforeseeable);
(b) is caused by a delaying event outside our control;
(c) is avoidable: something you could have avoided by taking reasonable action, including by following our reasonable instructions; or
(d) relates to your personal belongings, property or vehicle: we are not responsible for any loss, theft or damage to your personal belongings, your property or any vehicle (including its contents) while you are at an Event including any car park or access way.
I.3. We do not exclude our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence or any other type of liability that cannot be excluded by law.
