After weeks of keenly anticipating the month of the bank holiday trifecta, our third three day hiatus is now approaching. And considering we won’t have another until August, it would only be right to spend the weekend out and about in our bloomin’ lovely city. Running alongside the Chelsea Flower Show, Elephant Park’s Chelsea Fringe Festival will take place on May 27 from 1pm-6pm. From gorgeous botanical displays to live music and fantastic free activities, it’s got all the makings of the perfect bank holiday outing.
Elephant Park, a leafy enclave within Elephant and Castle, is home to a lovely water park Elephant Springs, an enchanting Tree House with views of the park and a diverse variety of restaurants, cafes and bars offering delicious global cuisine. So when the time comes to grab a drink and bite to eat amidst your bank holiday celebrations, you’ll have plenty of exciting options to choose from.
Aiming to celebrate gardening in all of its unique forms, Elephant Park’s Chelsea Fringe Festival has something for everyone. So whether you want to brush up on your gardening skills, brighten up your house with some floral home decor, or simply admire the stunning artistry of the experts, you’ll find what you’re looking for!
From 1pm-6pm you can join an inspiring flower pressing workshop with artist Elaine Duigenan. Duigenan has created many innovative pieces using this craft and will pass on her skills to help you with yours, using the beautiful materials provided. These sessions will be available for sign-up on the day at Elephant Stores – check out @phloratanical for inspo!
If you’re curious to see what the future holds, botanical tarot card readings will also be available. This session will use a combination of tarot and plant spirit wisdom to help you visualise your possibilities for the future. You’ll even get to take home a bespoke blend of flower essences, specially designed to make you feel more aligned! Just walk in to Elephant Stores from 1pm-6pm for a 15 minute session.
Those looking to spruce up their balcony or indoor house plants can drop by the Indoor Gardening Masterclass. Running from 1pm-2pm at Treehouse, this class and Q&A will be hosted by local experts from The Nunhead Gardener.
Alongside these wonderful workshops, you can also enjoy the soothing sound of live classical music at Elephant Park’s Chelsea Fringe Festival. Listen out for the all-female trio, Diamond Strings, roaming around Elephant Park from 2pm-6pm. And don’t forget to capture some lovely floral photos for your feed – head to Treehouse and admire the handiwork of the Nunhead Gardener and other local artists.