A favourite adventurer of ours is Alastair Humphreys, who has recently returned from an unsupported crossing of Iceland with his photographer mate Chris Herwig.  Carrying 40kg packs containing all of the food they needed, camping gear, and equipment for both glacier crossing and packrafting, Alistair and Chris crossed Iceland, trekking inland from Iceland’s north coast and then paddling the length of Iceland’s longest river to the Southern coast and Atlantic Ocean.

Here Alistair shares with us his top ten highs and lows of their 24 day trip.

1. Discovering that one of the most varied, deserted, beautiful wildernesses I have ever been to is only 3 hours away from London with Iceland Express.

2. Carrying 25 days of food meant serious rationing. Eating just 2000 calories a day meant that I was permanently very hungry.

3. Getting up close to Eyjafjallajökull volcano which caused such chaos earlier this year.

4. On the rare occasions when it was not raining or very windy, clouds of flies would rise from nowhere and fly into our noses, ears, eyes, and mouth.

5. The sources of the two rivers we paddled: one flowing out from beneath a glacier, the other gushing boiling hot from the side of a volcano.

6. Trekking hundreds of miles carrying a brutally heavy (40kg) backpack.

7. Inflating  the packrafts and beginning to paddle downstream. Fun, fast, and no more carrying  those heavy packs!

8. Capsizing in major whitewater rapids in the depths of a canyon. And later realising that my waterproof video camera had not even recorded the drama!

9. Wallowing in a hot spring beneath the midnight sun.

10. Seeing the river in front of us open out into the brown waves of the Atlantic Ocean: the end of a successful, exciting, fascinating journey across Iceland.

Read Alistair’s brilliantly entertaining full diary of his Icelandic adventure and I challenge you not to want to experience the 4-day Laugavegur trek (which he undertakes as part of this trip) for yourself. Iceland looks incredible.

Fancy an adventure of your own? – have a look on Ooh.com for everything you might need – from courses in mountaineering and navigational skills to fully guided tours and treks.

Whale watching from sea kayaks in the lagoons of Patagonia anyone?

Leaping right off the page at us like Free Willy post Florida water park days is this fabulous Whale watching by kayak trip in Patagonia with spaces currently available for trips this October, November and December. Fully guided and catered, think kayaking with whales by day and  wine and tapas on the beach at sunset.

If you are more bird than fish, and hanging out at cloud level is the closest you’ll get to floating your boat then our front page has just the thing for you too – again,  this paragliding trip in Nepal looks incredible, described by paraglide pro Alex Ledger as ‘one of the best paragliding experiences of his life’.

Not for the faint hearted, this trip takes you to the highest mountain range in the world and culminates in an epic 2 day paragliding expedition to a remote mountain camp site.

So if you have a bucket list with boxes to tick  get browsing around on Ooh.com. There are plenty more big adventure trips where these came from, whether it’s a trek to Everest base camp or a Shackleton style Antarctic polar crossing you’ve been dreaming about.

Here’s our visitors guide to the best bits and what not to miss.

1. Vintage is a state of mind – and a strong look:

Visit the Beauty Boutique salon on the High Street (pre book an appointment) and be transformed into a glamourous glamourpuss from a bygone era. Or… boys, visit The Salon and get yourself a ducks ass – it’s a kooky old hair style and we love it! You too can look like this guy…

2. Got kids? Engage in some old fashioned outdoor adventures

Ignite imaginations with a trip to The Hive - An amazing woodland grotto, built by artists from Invisible Structures. Learn bushcraft skills from real bushmen and in the evening visit the Hive hotel for campfire stories, night walks and acoustic sets from festival musicians.

There’s a charge for some of the sessions but looks like this could be one of the hidden highlights of the festival - click here for more details

3.  Whatever happened to photobooths?

Go in search of a Mighty Booth photo booth and take some retro snaps of you and your gang of chums.

4. Recreate the baddest (you know, bad but good) weddings you’ve ever been to.

Go to the White Wedding Club on Saturday night - 10pm – 2am –  - more brassy brides, bolshy bridesmaids, bad-dad dancing and cheap cava than you can throw a pissed vicar at.

5. Music …

Don’t miss Kid Creola and the Coconuts on Sunday afternoon, and Motown legends Martha & The Vandellas on the main stage on Saturday at 6pm. Check out the full line up here.

6. Eat 80’s cheese toasties … hmmm yum yum yum

There is a brilliant eat-the-1940’s-devilled-eggs etc type of place to eat (Tanqueray Touch Club) but the 80’s toasties just can’t be overlooked you’ll find them being made to order outside the 80’s Warehouse and Rollerdiscor…now we’re talkin… choosing the most bizarre flavour combinations of the period is a must – ours is a cheese and mango chutney purlease thanks.

7. Shop Vintage:

At the Classic Car boot sale on Sunday or visit some of the best vintage traders selling their wares on the Yellow brick road market place including the new and wonderful Rag and Bow , Preserved Vintage or Ruthie McCall for fashions or Bar Era for one off drink related memorabilia.

8. Chap olympics:  designed to reward panache

Daily in the 1940’s Victory Garden and allotment. Mines a Gin and Tonic, umbrella jousting anyone? - not to be missed.

9. Make your own pants: Y fronts for the boys and knickers for the girls.

Just really wanted to post this picture of some handsome chaps in pants.. also the class is on Saturday at 2:30pm – 4:30pm for the Y fronts and 4:30pm – 6:30pm for knickers at the Vintage Oxfam classroom on the High Street.

10. Tea Dance, Tap and Rock and Roll dancing at the Tanqueray Tourch Club

What ever you do, you cannot leave the festival without visiting the Tourch Club… the 40’s style night club – complete with proper dance floor, big stage for the big bands.

Take dance lessons in the day and enjoy the dinner and dancing by night.

Check the schedule for the dance lessons – and you too can learn to do it backwards in heels and eat your heart out Ginger Rogers style.

Interested in other vintage events and market check out this post on some of the best in the South.

If you’re really looking to get into that Vintage spirit before the show, try Jive lessons with Kav Kavenagh on right here..

Our friends at French Kiss Vintage give us the low down on their top 5 vintage games.

1. Pétanque – best for fashionistas

Back in May, one of our favourite fashion bloggers Garance Doré reported from the frontline of Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel cruise showcase on a pavement cafe lined street of St Tropez. But aside from the spectacle of Georgia May Jagger rocking up on a motorbike with Sebastien Jondeau to close the show, the pictures that got everyone talking were the ones taken later in the evening, depicting Chanel muse Vanessa Paradis and Diane Kruger partaking in that quintessentially Gallic of pastimes: Pétanque

Pétanque is a form of boules that can be played just about anywhere. Simply stand in a starting circle with both feet on the ground, then throw metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball called a cochonnet or jack.

Of course fashionista Pétanque demands that you do all this whilst wearing something suitably fabulous. And so Kruger enjoyed her twilight Pétanque tournament dressed head to toe in Chanel, accessorising with a carefully considered white Panama hat. A special Pétanque set was also commissioned by Chanel for the occasion – the precious balls were housed in an old fashioned wicker basket with the iconic Chanel logo branded on the cover. It’s on sale now as a limited edition piece, but us mere mortals can pick up a much cheaper version for £69 at John Lewis.

2. Croquet – best for posh outdoor dos

The ultimate garden party pursuit, Croquet is perfect for those occasions when you are in formal dress as it’s gentle enough not to cause you to work up an unbecoming sweat. The aim of the game is simply to hit your ball with the wooden mallet through several arches or gateways. It’s a relaxed game, and the large gaps in between turns allow plentiful opportunities to sip your gin and tonic or reapply your lipstick.

If you are looking for the perfect wedding gift or want to spoil yourself with a Croquet set that will last for years then we recommend paying a visit to Jaques of London. They’re the oldest sports and games company in the world and boast a wide selection of beautifully made kits. Croquet sets do not tend to come cheap, but if you’re not quite ready to part with a large sum of cash, you could always hire one for around £20 per day at Uber Games.

3. Rounders – best for picnics

We’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a fair few picnics this summer. But how does one keep entertained? Forget frisbee, to work off that Somerset Brie you’re going to need to something a little bit more active and we reckon we’ve come up with just the thing… Rounders.

Yes, I kid you not. Once the preserve of girl guides and games lessons at school, Rounders is currently enjoying a renaissance. I recently enjoyed a game as part of a friend’s ‘Wild and Wonderful Hen Do Picnic’ in Richmond Park and I can tell you my calves were aching the next day from all the running.

Rounders originated in England and dates right back to Tudor times. It’s simple to play, even when you’re a little tipsy on warm rosé, making it just perfect for boozy summer picnics. Simply divide your gang into two teams, Strikers and Fielders. One fielder bowls, another remains behind the striker as a backstop and the others dot themselves around the field alongside four strategically placed cones. Each striker then takes their turn to hit the ball and then run around the four bases in order to score, providing a fielder does not get their hands on the ball and knock them out first! Pick up a kit for £25 at John Lewis

4.  Skittles – best for bowling alley enthusiasts

A few years ago, it seemed as though everyone in London was booking Lindy Hop classes and spending their Saturdays recapturing the mood of the 1950s at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes. And it’s safe to say that come winter, this will be high on our agenda for things to do.

But on fairweather days, we prefer to ditch the cavernous bowling alley for the garden where we can indulge in a spot of skittles. Okay so it’s not quite bowling, but it’s the next best thing.

We found a lovely vintage style wooden skittles game over at cloth-ears.co.uk. Get a full size set complete with a gift box, 1 x wooden ball and 10 x wooden skittles, carry bag and playing instructions for just £36.99

5. Parlour Games – Best for Rainy Days

Yes we know this is supposed to be a top 5 Outdoor Games list but we cannot exclude the possibility of rain spoiling our plans; this is England after all.

In bygone days, inclement weather was just another excuse to indulge in a spot of ‘Parlour Games’ such as card games and chess. In fact, it was during the Victorian era that classic games such as Happy Families, Tiddley-Winks, Ludo, Snakes and Ladders came into existence.

Now you can recreate those cosy evenings of long ago with a Jaques of London hand built polished Mahogany Indoor Games Compendium. At £149 this is a real investment piece but it’s packed with all sorts of goodies including a Maple and Walnut Chess board, Backgammon board, Boxwood Jaques Staunton chess men, Backgammon playing pieces, Draughts playing pieces, Specially made Dominoes, Poker Dice, rules and cards for Bridge, a beautiful inlaid Jaques Cribbage board, two packs of Jaques playing cards, Jaques’ original Happy Families and Jaques original reintroduction Snap.

………………………….

Fabulous suggestions French Kiss Vintage, it’s got us all in the mood for a Pimms and spot of croquet! What what! ooh.com

After locating the perfect pothole,  in just one 5 -10 minute take, without stopping traffic or shutting off the street and without any photoshop-type messing they create these amazing fantasy and illusion full photos:

Catch an exhibition of their work in the Pentimento Gallery in Toronto until the 8th Aug ‘10 and in the Agora Gallery in New York from Aug 17th Aug – 7th Sept ‘10.

The Pothole Gardenerand the battle of the concrete jungle…

While the rest of us are out there cursing the broken muddy puddles of potholes that hamper our eco minded two wheeled commutes to work, punture our tyres and tire out our chassis, our pothole gardening hero is out there doing something about it – no, not filling in the holes with concrete while the town snoozes – but planting daffodils and pansies in those gaping holes.

… giving urban dwellers in his neighbourhood something to smile rather than frown about.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the pond, a caped crusader has taken to the streets in an effort to draw attention – literally – to the many many potholes that blight the city and cause danger, ugliness and misery…

People of Portland join him in his campaign!

For more on Guerilla gardening activities, read out Guerilla Gardeners post or check out Guerrilla Gardening.org

If you love gardening and you’d like to find classes, courses or workshops you can book to fuel your passion, search for gardening on Ooh.com.

The Serenata festival is billed as Britain’s first Classical summer festival and from what we’ve seen, it could arguably be the most civilised and luxurious field gathering taking place anywhere in the world this summer – I’d bet my wellie boots on it.

The traditional camping boasts views out over the southern cliffs and out to sea or you can check into the glorious sounding teepee hotel – room service, fresh linen, hotel lobby – in fact they’ve got everything except R Kelly. And for the big spinners out there there are Sunseeker yachts on hand to camp on for the duration.

Catering is by Nomads, one of the worlds finest event caterers, and there is a babysitting service and kids zone you would happily spend all day in yourself.

But wait, that’s all very nice but what about the music….

Predictably you won’t be putting your hands up for JayZ but you will be treated to a fine selection of well know classical artists – including headline acts from Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watson and heartthrobby classical boy-band Blake – maybe leave the missus at that one and use the excuse for a civilised drink minus the swooning ladies in the Bedouin Lounge bar.

Having become accustomed to the other less luxurious festival affairs, the prospect of one so civilised is making us yearn for a field, a  safari chair and a mojito… all at once please.

Tickets are still available so if the regular mud fests are not your thing, get booking. As for us, we’ll be the ones braying with our Pimms’ and waving from the Sunseeker.

What else to do nearby?

On your way there, or on the way back, take time to visit the highly recommended  King John Inn for English Asparagus and thier loin of venison or the Greyhound Inn in Sydling St Nicholas.

You can prepare yourself for a weekend of camping with a bushcraft course or stock up on natural supplies with a wild food foraging course in Wiltshire.

While you’re there, you could pop in for a spot of clay pigeon shooting at Gorcombe or take the opportunity to walk part of England’s heritage Jurassic coastline.

For other things to do and places to stay in Dorset take a look on Ooh.com.

Man vs Horse Competition

12th June, Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales

The Man v Horse comp began in June 1980 following a conversation in the pub (obviously) on the relative merits of man v horse. Over a course of 22 miles of hills and rivers, it took a man 25 years to finally beat a horse when Huw Loob beat the fastest horse by two minutes.

World Toe Wrestling Championships

12th June, Bently Brook Inn, Peak District

World Naked Bike Ride

12th June – Cardiff, Edinburgh, Manchester, 13th June – Brighton and Bristol

Because?? Well just because… you would be naked… and on a bike and… does any part of that sentence not sound fun?

World-Nettle-Eating championships

19th June, The Bottle Inn, Marshwood, Dorset

Only nettles provided by the organisers can be eaten, competitors are not allowed to bring their own and no mouth-numbing substances are permitted – although a swig of beer in between mouthfuls is encouraged.

Midsummer Watch Parade

19th and 20th June, Chester

Dating back to 1498, the Chester midsummer parade is one of Britain’s oldest festivals.

Summer Solstice Stonehenge

Monday 21st June, Stonehenge, Wiltshire

Completed around 3500 years ago, Stonehenge is probably the most important pre-historic monument in Britain and midsummer’s night is definitely the best time to go and pay homage.

Swan Upping on the River Thames

19th – 23rd July, from Sunbury on Thames to Abingdon bridge

Every year the Queen’s Swan Keeper and Swan Markers from the two livery companies row in skiffs along the river to mark the cygnets (baby swans). Well worth a visit to brush up on your Royal heritage, or just for the fancy outfits and the outside chance someone will fall in.

World mountain bike bog snorkelling championships

10th July, Waen Rhydd Bog, Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales

The idea of this bizarre contest is to cycle along the bottom of a 6ft deep peat bog wearing a mask and snorkel in the quickest time. At least, that’s the idea. Few make it across, but there is much silliness and fun to be had watching, or, if you’re feeling brave, trying yourself.

Last night of the Proms

17 July-12 September, Royal Albert Hall,  South Kensington, London

Britania Rules the Waves – Prommers are well known for sleeping on the street the night before in order to secure their favourite spot in the Hall for the Last night. Expect rousing anthems and fog horns a-plenty from natives and visitors alike.

Robin Hood Festival

2nd August – 8th August, Sherwood forest, Nottinghamshire (where else?!)

If you (or the kids) have been enveloped in a cloud of Robin Hood fever this summer, hit up the Robin Hood festival in the home of the legendary man, Sherwood Forest. The perfect day out for kids and grown-ups alike.

The Ketterwell Scarecrow Festival

14th – 22nd August, Ketterwell, Yorkshire

If you plan a spot of village hopping this summer, why not visit Ketterwell in the Yorkshire dales during their Scarecrow Festival. The festival started out as a quirky fund-raising activity for the local school, but has since turned into a 9 day epic attracting thousands of visitors with hundreds of these bizarre mannequins and offerings of delicious local food and drink.

Totness Festival

3rd – 12th September, Totnes, Devon

A veritable A-Z of British art and culture. Our list wouldn’t be complete without Morris dancing, so on the 6th September at the Totness Festival enjoy traditional performances from the Darlington Morris Men. That’s about as British as having a monarchy and eating strawberry jam.

World’s Biggest Liar Competition

3rd Thurs in November (tbc), The Bridge Inn, Cumbria,, CA19 1UX

Set your pants on fire at this unique lying competition, following in the footsteps of ‘Auld Will’ an infamous 19th century Cumbrian fibber. There’s a sentence you won’t read every day.

Not enough for you? Take a look on Ooh.com to find more smashing ideas for quirky things to do this summer, wherever you are in the world.

The Rooftops

The Boundary 2-4 Boundary Street, Shoreditch, London, E2 7DD

Relaxed and chic

With seating arranged around an open fireplace, festoon lighting and Welsh blankets, this terrace serves up modern European fare such as globe artichoke vinaigrette and prawns from the grill,  to be enjoyed with a good glass of wine, while purveying the rooftops and spires of East London.

The Rockwell at the Trafalgar. 2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Square, London, SW1A 2TS.

This is LA living in central London, who knew?

A roof garden with amazing London views, The Rockwell at Trafalgar is a true al fresco gem. Sip on a’Vista Herb Garden’ cocktail, and take in Nelson on his pillar, the tourist crowds and rejoice that you’re far away from the pigeons.

Newly opened pop ups this summer

Fulham Palace Bistro, Bishop’s Avenue, Fulham, London, SW6 6EA

Tranquil, elegant country house dining in the city

Located within the heart of the Grade I listed Palace, the newly refurbished Bishop’s drawing room and terrace overlook the palace grounds. This summer the  bistro is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, a perfect retreat from the bustle of the outside world.

Summerhouse by the waterway 60 Blomfield Road, St John’s Wood, W9 2PD

Casual dining and cocktails pop up, April – October

With a beachside look based on “Long Island seafront houses,” you can enjoy fresh seafood and cucumber caipiroskas while the boats on the canal float by.

The walled gardens

The Wine Gallery, 49 Hollywood Rd, Chelsea, London, SW10 9HX

A quiet hideaway in the heart of the oh-so chi chi Chelsea village.

Go there for a relaxed evening, the well priced food, an extensive wine list and all the Chelsea characters you could wish for.

The Buttery Café, New End Square, Hampstead, London, NW3 1LT

For urban tea or dinner with friends

A licensed garden café set in the gardens of the historical Burgh House, offering home cooked food using fresh, locally sourced and seasonal produce.

The cracking pub garden

The Albion, 10 Thornhill Road, Islington, London, N1 1HW

A classic gastro pub boasting one of the best pub gardens in London.

One to visit for an authentic British drinking experience, especially if it’s a little drizzly out.

The Gun, The Gun 27 Coldharbour Docklands London E14 9NS

Historical gastro pub with East End river views

Back in the old days, when Nelson lived just up the road, he  would visit The Gun for a pint and a quick word with his mistress Lady Emma Hamilton. These days The Gun remains a local treasure in its surprising Docklands locations, worth a trip across town for.

Out of Towners

Petersham Nurseries,  Church Lane, Off Petersham Road, Richmond Hill, Surrey, TW10 7AG

The Hedonist guide to EAT LONDON (2008-2009) rates this as a number 1  “Worth the schlep” restaurant.

Owners Gael & Francesco Boglione rescued the nurseries from the clutches of developers, restored and reopened them in 2004. Set amongst the flowers and plants of the nurseries, you will find the quirky café-restaurant where chef  Skye Gyngell and her team produce  seasonal dishes to be eaten at leisure at the antique tables dotted in and about the beautiful main greenhouse.

Le Manoir, Church Road, Great Milton, Oxford, OX44 7PD

On a balmy summers evening leave London far behind for the fragrant gardens at Raymond Blanc’s beautiful Oxfordshire country house hotel -the only one in the UK to have been awarded two Michelin stars.

London Parklife

The Belvedere, In Holland Park, London, W8 6LU

Feel out of town, in the middle of town.

Book a table on the terrace for lunch time to enjoy an elegant menu in a peaceful setting.

The Serpentine Bar and Kitchen Serpentine Road, Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH

If you are looking for more from your park pond café than a soggy sandwich or clingfilmed cake look no further than this Britishly good Serpentine bistro. Open seven days a week until 9pm.

Elegant metropolitan

Fredericks, Camden Passage, Islington, London, N1 8EG

A family run affair and long standing Islington bastion of modern traditional dining. Perfect for something charming just off Upper Street.

Be our guests – Hotel havens

The Courtyard of the American Bar at the Stafford Hotel, 16-18 St James’s Place, Green Park, London, SW1A 1NJ

Three words: Old school cool

This little known mews courtyard just off St James’ is the perfect place for  club sandwiches and english beer before sitting back to talk politics,  smoke cigars and drink classic American cocktails.

The Courtyard at Bank, 51 Buckingham Gate, Crowne Plaza, 51 Buckingham Gate, Victoria, London, SW1E 6AF

A cool, calm courtyard for chic city dining

After visting the Queen at nearby Buckingham Palace, ask for a table in the courtyard of Bank restaurant for a cool and peaceful lunch or dinner. A good one for clients on a hot city day.

The Courtyard Gardens at the Sanderson 50 Berners Street
London, W1T 3NG

Evening Zen

Not just for residents – non guests are more than welcome to spend unashamedly glamourous evenings under the stars in these chic gardens.

DIY charming al fresco dining experience, find cookery classes and gardening workshops on Ooh.com

So, are you aged between 25-65? Do you have a ‘vibrant’ personality and do you like lolloping about in the great outdoors?? Well then…

Norway needs YOU!

Visit Norway is looking for four ordinary people, who want an extraordinary adventure, to become the stars of its summer postcard photo-shoot in Northern Norway where the postcards will then be printed and sold.

No modelling experience is required and the winners will take centre stage in a photo shoot with a professional photographer in some awe-inspiring Norwegian lansdcapes. This could be you…

Applications can be made through the Norway Postcard Models Facebook Page and before you know it, you could be stamped, addressed and delivered though a mail box near you very soon.

This not exciting enough for you? Take a look on Ooh.com for hundreds of ideas of other out of the ordinary activities and things to do and take part in this summer.

Who? From the 1920s, London’s royal family began to visit the fair each year, starting a new tradition that continues to this day.

The Queen visits the Chelsea Flower Show in 1955 and 2010

How many? The show draws over 160,000 visitors  (the number of visitors allowed per day has been capped at 40,000 since 1988 when overcrowding at the event really ruined tea and the views of the begonias)

There is a total of 600 exhibitors at the Chelsea Flower Show, including 15 large show gardens and 21 small gardens

In 2009, 98.4 per cent of the materials used at Chelsea were recycled, including glass, paper and plastic (pretty impressive).

In 2009 46,500 glases of Pimms were drunk at the show.

Wettest? While 2010 flower show basks in sunshine, the 2006 show was one of the wettest Flower Shows in recent years. The sun came out for just one afternoon: for the rest of the time the bad weather included torrential rain, thunderstorms, hail and gale-force winds.

Rarest? This year one of the rarest specieces at the show is the Sinocalycalycanthus raulstonii ‘Hartlage Wine’ at the Hilliers stand and never appeared before at the show.

The World Land Trust’s gold medal winning garden exhibit displays a section of Atlantic rainforest that includes rare and endemic orchid species, lent by Chester Zoo and a Heart of palm tree, a ruthlessly over-exploited tree from which the delicacy heart of palm is extracted. It is now considered commercially extinct.

THE GOSSIP?

Most scandalous flower show story? There are likely to be some scandals bubbling around the hot houses and conservatory stands of the show as we speak. The most scandalous story at this year’s show is the naked/ painted models all over the place.

Best stand? Best of show this year was won by the Daily Telegraph (show sponsors…)

While Hilliars Nurseriers win thier 65th gold medal, making them most golden exibitor at the show.

What to wear? Apart from the practicailites of comfy shoes and a waterproof… take Vogue’s advice and think sweet Fifties dresses cinched in at the waist and splaying skirts.

Insider’s tip? Don’t cool off at the show, pop out for some Lavender and Honey flavoured Ice cream at Anya Hindmarch, where they’ve laid on a pop-up ice-cream parlour in honour of the Flower Show.

Plant fight: If you are feeling strong, try the plant sale at the end of the show. It is signalled by a bell at 4pm and makes the Harrods sale look like a walk in the park. Just check what you are buying is in good condition.

The Flower show continues this week until 29th May. If you miss this you can get tickets to the next best thing, the Hampton Court Flower show 6th -11th July.

Or get involved in some gardening yourself yourself – find gardening courses and eco workshops on Ooh.com