A taste of springtime elegance is coming to Oxfordshire this month, as Bicester Avenue Garden Centre unveils a limited-edition afternoon tea inspired by the iconic RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Running from 18 to 24 May, the floral-themed experience brings a seasonal twist to traditional afternoon tea, blending botanical creativity with classic British treats. Guests can expect a menu designed to reflect the colours and flavours of spring, served across a selection of Blue Diamond Group garden centres.
The offering includes a curated selection of sandwiches such as tuna and cucumber, coronation chicken, ham and mustard, egg mayonnaise, and cheese and pickle, alongside freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and raspberry preserve.
The patisserie selection takes a more playful approach, with themed desserts including a mini fruit meringue nest, carrot and vanilla mascarpone cupcake, raspberry crème brûlée toadstool tart, and a chocolate marquise plant pot finished with edible “soil”.
Priced at £25.95 per person, the afternoon tea is designed as a celebration of the Chelsea Flower Show’s colour, creativity and horticultural artistry. It is part of a wider seasonal initiative from Blue Diamond Group, which is rolling out themed experiences across a number of its 53 garden centres.
Rebecca Gurnett, Group Events Manager at Blue Diamond, said the event is intended to capture the spirit of one of the horticultural calendar’s most anticipated occasions. She highlighted the company’s aim to bring the atmosphere of Chelsea to customers locally, combining food, flowers and seasonal inspiration.
The initiative also coincides with Blue Diamond Group’s return to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, following its award-winning success in 2025, where it secured its first Gold Medal alongside the prestigious Tree of Show accolade for Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’.
Held annually at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show remains one of the world’s most prestigious horticultural events, showcasing cutting-edge garden design and floral innovation. This year’s event takes place from 19 to 23 May.
Bookings for the afternoon tea are now open online.
