Totally disappointed by the inadequate planning and traffic management today at Chatsworth and totally lack of reliable information about the promised shuttle buses to and from Bakewell ( and I dare say other destinations). I do not accept that it was all due to the weather conditions -eg no information on RHS website on Shuttles until late on Tuesday evening. That should have been available a couple of weeks prior to the show, not hours before after making phone calls and sending emails about it.
It was a total nightmare getting to and from the show. (930 am till 12.45 from Bakewell to Chatsworth, 2 hours of which was spent waiting for shuttles that did not come and not able to get on the only shuttle that did appear because it was a 16 seater with over 60 people waiting to get onto it!!!) Eventually caught a service but but left with a long walk as it couldn't access the show site. Lots of safety issues at the show too. How can this be when RHS and Chatsworth itself have successfully put on so many shows and events over the years. Something has gone terribly wrong here and I and many many other members feel extremely let down.
On the plus side-: displays were great and we enjoyed the gardens, food outlets were good and not too pricey ( have seen worse at other events) and all volunteers and Chatsworth staff were as helpful and cheerful as they possibly could have been under the circumstances, but what should have been a relaxing, enjoyable occasion which we had looked forward to since June 2016, was totally marred by mismanagement and poor planning on the part of the organisers. Shame on you RHS.
Such a shame to see that the logistics have let down this fab event. As locals I think many of us had concerns about transport around the area as the Peak District roads are not designed to deal with huge volumes of traffic. However, once you make it into the park, you won't be disappointed and the setting really makes the show special. One bit of advice, wear wellies as its sodden underfoot. Let's hoe that things run more smoothly tomorrow
Anne17 - your comments that there were too many wheelchairs and buggies, and those using them chose to use them at there own risk are just darned right offensive and discriminatory.
Is gardening a pastime for the able bodied who don't have kids only? Should disabled people be banned for going out while using wheel chairs so they don't mess up the paths for abled bodied people, do we not have the same right to attend garden shows like others do.
We do not chose to need a wheelchair- I need one if I have to walk more than a few steps. This is not a choice. It restricts everything I do in life and gardening and visiting gardens really lift my spirits.
I think taking your children to gardens and shows like Chatsworth is fab as it gets the kids interested in plants and gardening. So the more families I see out enjoying gardens the better.
Many RHS gardens provide wheelchairs for people who cannot manage to walk around the gardens which is brilliant as it gives access to all. My mother in law uses this service at times as she doesn't need a wheelchair everytime she goes out, only where there is a lot of walking involved.
Maybe if the organisers where more prepared for the amount of visitors and the awful weather, my fellow wheelchair users wouldn't have annoyed you so much.
Gosh. Reading all this is awful. Don't want to take my cousin to this now! She's only in the UK for a fortnight and don't want any bad or annoying experiences for her. Does anyone know if I'll be able to get a refund? I'm calling them first thing tomorrow.
I attended this show yesterday and it was AMAZING!
OK ... there were some issues with getting onto site, because the previous days bad weather caused water-logging on the carparks, and that meant it was slow for cars to get on.
My advice for anyone still to go ... as it's started raining again in Derbyshire, get yourself to Baslow and walk in from there. It's a short, and very lovely, walk.
Or, use the free shuttles that are being provided from Rowsley, Bakewell, Pilsley, Baslow and Edensor (BASICALLY AVOID THE CAR PARKS).
And on leaving, if you want the shuttles, use the exit furthest away from the main house ... that's where they are. You will need to give yourself plenty of time because the shuttles are affected by the traffic also. But the journey is part of it right ... so chill out, and you might just meet some nice people whilst waiting for your bus.
The show organisers immediately announced longer opening hours yesterday, and an email has already been sent by SeeTickets, telling people what to do if they didn't actually make it, or if they missed restaurant bookings.
That said, the show was far superior to ANY OTHER show I have ever been to. I'm a regular at Tatton and a big fan of Southport. The layout and the content were outstanding, and all of those involved with the organisation (both on the day and in the planning of the show) should be congratulated.
I saw some of the most fascinating and beautiful show gardens I have ever seen.
Also, wellies or walking boots are definitely needed!
And, go steady near the edges of the walkways.
The waterlogged ground below the walkways has dropped away in places, making a step you don't expect ... and I did see a couple of people take a tumble.
FINALLY DOGS ARE ALLOWED!! (Not just assistance dogs.)
The hard copy Show Guide says that they are, but the RHS Website doesn't mention it. So, I emailed the RHS and asked for clarification.
The reply was that they are trialling allowing dogs to this show, and they are allowed in all covered areas, excluding the restaurants. (They are also allowed on the Shuttle Buses.)
I was also speaking to someone there who told me the RHS are considering letting dogs into their main gardens in the future sometime. Lets hope they go for it. My dog loves gardening almost as much as me!
Here's a map of the Show Ground, for those of you who didn’t order a Show Guide in advance;
If anyone needs any more info, please feel free to ask.
I'm very jealous of anyone who is still to go ... I want to go back!!
Have fun everyone and stay safe. Use your heads people ... (I saw people there is stilettos) ... please ... and just watch out for those walkway edges ...
Gosh. Reading all this is awful. Don't want to take my cousin to this now! She's only in the UK for a fortnight and don't want any bad or annoying experiences for her. Does anyone know if I'll be able to get a refund? I'm calling them first thing tomorrow.
Posts
Totally disappointed by the inadequate planning and traffic management today at Chatsworth and totally lack of reliable information about the promised shuttle buses to and from Bakewell ( and I dare say other destinations). I do not accept that it was all due to the weather conditions -eg no information on RHS website on Shuttles until late on Tuesday evening. That should have been available a couple of weeks prior to the show, not hours before after making phone calls and sending emails about it.
It was a total nightmare getting to and from the show. (930 am till 12.45 from Bakewell to Chatsworth, 2 hours of which was spent waiting for shuttles that did not come and not able to get on the only shuttle that did appear because it was a 16 seater with over 60 people waiting to get onto it!!!) Eventually caught a service but but left with a long walk as it couldn't access the show site. Lots of safety issues at the show too. How can this be when RHS and Chatsworth itself have successfully put on so many shows and events over the years. Something has gone terribly wrong here and I and many many other members feel extremely let down.
On the plus side-: displays were great and we enjoyed the gardens, food outlets were good and not too pricey ( have seen worse at other events) and all volunteers and Chatsworth staff were as helpful and cheerful as they possibly could have been under the circumstances, but what should have been a relaxing, enjoyable occasion which we had looked forward to since June 2016, was totally marred by mismanagement and poor planning on the part of the organisers. Shame on you RHS.
Such a shame to see that the logistics have let down this fab event. As locals I think many of us had concerns about transport around the area as the Peak District roads are not designed to deal with huge volumes of traffic. However, once you make it into the park, you won't be disappointed and the setting really makes the show special. One bit of advice, wear wellies as its sodden underfoot. Let's hoe that things run more smoothly tomorrow
Anne17 - your comments that there were too many wheelchairs and buggies, and those using them chose to use them at there own risk are just darned right offensive and discriminatory.
Is gardening a pastime for the able bodied who don't have kids only? Should disabled people be banned for going out while using wheel chairs so they don't mess up the paths for abled bodied people, do we not have the same right to attend garden shows like others do.
We do not chose to need a wheelchair- I need one if I have to walk more than a few steps. This is not a choice. It restricts everything I do in life and gardening and visiting gardens really lift my spirits.
I think taking your children to gardens and shows like Chatsworth is fab as it gets the kids interested in plants and gardening. So the more families I see out enjoying gardens the better.
Many RHS gardens provide wheelchairs for people who cannot manage to walk around the gardens which is brilliant as it gives access to all. My mother in law uses this service at times as she doesn't need a wheelchair everytime she goes out, only where there is a lot of walking involved.
Maybe if the organisers where more prepared for the amount of visitors and the awful weather, my fellow wheelchair users wouldn't have annoyed you so much.
Gosh. Reading all this is awful. Don't want to take my cousin to this now! She's only in the UK for a fortnight and don't want any bad or annoying experiences for her. Does anyone know if I'll be able to get a refund? I'm calling them first thing tomorrow.
I attended this show yesterday and it was AMAZING!
OK ... there were some issues with getting onto site, because the previous days bad weather caused water-logging on the carparks, and that meant it was slow for cars to get on.
My advice for anyone still to go ... as it's started raining again in Derbyshire, get yourself to Baslow and walk in from there. It's a short, and very lovely, walk.
Or, use the free shuttles that are being provided from Rowsley, Bakewell, Pilsley, Baslow and Edensor (BASICALLY AVOID THE CAR PARKS).
And on leaving, if you want the shuttles, use the exit furthest away from the main house ... that's where they are. You will need to give yourself plenty of time because the shuttles are affected by the traffic also. But the journey is part of it right ... so chill out, and you might just meet some nice people whilst waiting for your bus.
The show organisers immediately announced longer opening hours yesterday, and an email has already been sent by SeeTickets, telling people what to do if they didn't actually make it, or if they missed restaurant bookings.
That said, the show was far superior to ANY OTHER show I have ever been to. I'm a regular at Tatton and a big fan of Southport. The layout and the content were outstanding, and all of those involved with the organisation (both on the day and in the planning of the show) should be congratulated.
I saw some of the most fascinating and beautiful show gardens I have ever seen.
Massive thumbs up from me!
Also, wellies or walking boots are definitely needed!
And, go steady near the edges of the walkways.
The waterlogged ground below the walkways has dropped away in places, making a step you don't expect ... and I did see a couple of people take a tumble.
FINALLY DOGS ARE ALLOWED!! (Not just assistance dogs.)
The hard copy Show Guide says that they are, but the RHS Website doesn't mention it. So, I emailed the RHS and asked for clarification.
The reply was that they are trialling allowing dogs to this show, and they are allowed in all covered areas, excluding the restaurants. (They are also allowed on the Shuttle Buses.)
I was also speaking to someone there who told me the RHS are considering letting dogs into their main gardens in the future sometime. Lets hope they go for it. My dog loves gardening almost as much as me!
Last edited: 08 June 2017 07:46:28
Here's a map of the Show Ground, for those of you who didn’t order a Show Guide in advance;
If anyone needs any more info, please feel free to ask.
I'm very jealous of anyone who is still to go ... I want to go back!!
Have fun everyone and stay safe. Use your heads people ... (I saw people there is stilettos) ... please ... and just watch out for those walkway edges ...
Steph xxxx
I would think a refund highly unlikely unless they decide to cancel the show, which is even more unlikely.
And here's some photos of what to expect ....
Stay positive people (as best you can ... we ALL have our moments) and you'll have a grand day out!
xxxxx