This Saturday sees the start of London’s first ever Chelsea Fringe, which runs for three weeks. Timed to coincide with the Chelsea Flower Show (22-26 May), the Fringe will offer something a lot more eccentric and accessible. From Bicycling Beer Gardens, Floating Forests and a Caravanserai, to Edible Olympics, Heavy Plant Crossings and Guerilla Garden Tours, Fringe events will take place city-wide and most are gloriously free.
The Fringe is run entirely by volunteers. Over 80 different projects have registered so far. If conceptual art and cocktails are your poisons, head for the Garden of Disorientation in an old Clerkenwell Slaughterhouse. If hands-on workshops are more your thing, look out for living roof creation classes in Sydenham and urban growing tips at The Dock Garden.
London’s wild side is highlighted with butterfly murals jet-washed onto dirty walls in Acton and Turnham Green, and head to Archbishop’s Park for a Big Buzz and Flutter. There are also numerous open garden offerings buried within the Fringe’s What’s On guide.
We’re reliably informed that there’ll be a day-by-day guide to week one at www.chelseafringe.com/what-to-do-week-one come Friday.
The Chelsea Fringe runs 19 May to 10 June. Find out more at www.chelseafringe.com
