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5 June 2025
Traditional Paving at Alitex's Chelsea Flower Show Stand 2025
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is always a highlight in the gardening calendar, a vibrant tapestry of horticultural excellence, innovative design, and breathtaking beauty. This year, we were incredibly proud to once again play a pivotal part in this prestigious event through our inspiring collaboration with the renowned Alitex Greenhouses. Their fabulous trade stand not only captivated visitors but also secured a coveted 5-star award, with our traditional garden paving providing the perfect, authentic foundation for each meticulously designed area.
Crafting the Canvas for Chelsea's Masterpiece
Our Traditional paving provided the essential canvas upon which Alitex's magnificent greenhouses were showcased. We meticulously selected paving that would not only stand up to the rigours of the show but also enhance the classic, sophisticated aesthetic of Alitex's structures. The subtle textures and authentic colours of our chosen garden paving created a seamless transition from the intricate glasshouses to the surrounding garden elements, guiding visitors' eyes and inviting them to step into an idyllic outdoor haven.
The outside of this years stand was laid with paving from our newest National Trust Paving Collection - our Townhouse range and featured Rainham Hall flagstones and Rainham Hall Cobbles. The subtle colours within this natural limestone perfectly complemented both the brick base of the Thomas Messenger greenhouse and the Mottisfont greenhouse which debuted an innovative new greenhouse base, The Wainscot. Designed for versatility and quick installation. The cobbles were laid as a path up to the larger greenhouse and broke up the flagstones beautifully.
Brick Paving the Way for Traditional Growing
Inside Alitex's expansive main greenhouse, our National Trust Brick Pavers created a seamless foundation for a comprehensive vision of traditional growing. They extended into a highly practical potting area, a robust, naturally non-slip, and frost-resistant surface ideal for daily gardening tasks and spills. Beyond, the greenhouse featured abundant raised beds overflowing with produce, while a tranquil seating area invited visitors to pause and enjoy the fragrant atmosphere. Our pavers provided the perfect, stable base for these diverse zones, contributing to the overall sense of established calm and timeless beauty.
Throughout this impressive structure, our National Trust Brick Pavers from our Kitchen Garden Range were laid with care, providing a durable yet aesthetically harmonious surface that grounded the entire display. Their rustic charm and soft, weathered appearance immediately transported visitors to a bygone era of productive garden spaces.
The versatility of our National Trust Brick Pavers, which can be laid in traditional courses, charming basketweave, or classic herringbone patterns, meant they seamlessly adapted to the various zones within the greenhouse, from the busy potting space to the contemplative seating nook. Their consistent thickness and robust nature ensured a professional finish that also stood up to the significant footfall of Chelsea Flower Show visitors.
Pelly Mania in the Mottisfont: A Symphony of Scent and Slate
While our National Trust Brick Pavers anchored the traditional kitchen garden, another area of the Alitex stand offered a distinctly different, yet equally captivating, experience: the magnificent Mottisfont greenhouse, transformed into a vibrant haven of 'Pelly Mania'. This glasshouse was a sensory delight, filled with the heady, nostalgic fragrance and vibrant colours of a curated collection of pelargoniums from the specialist growers at Fibrex Nurseries. The exquisite styling of this space was masterminded by C. Atherley, Cath Kidston's new botanically inspired scent and bath brand. C. Atherley not only showcased their new 'Pellymania' collection – a range of geranium-fragranced products including candles, hand creams, and textiles – but also created an immersive experience.
Providing the perfect counterpoint to this floral explosion was our National Trust Tintagel Aged Slate Paving from our Coastal Cottage Range. This exquisite paving embodies the rugged beauty and timeless appeal of the Cornish coast, faithfully reproducing the character of aged natural slate. Its distinct, cool blue-grey and charcoal tones provided an elegant, textural foundation, allowing the vibrant hues of the pelargoniums to truly pop. The choice of Tintagel Aged Slate paving underscored the greenhouse's classic aesthetic, hinting at centuries of horticultural heritage while offering a practical, stable, and frost-resistant garden paving, perfect for such a stunning display. Outside of the greenhouse was more Tintagel Slate but in planks rather than mixed size which created a perfect path with seamless integration between the two areas.
The Foundation of Enduring Elegance
As the curtains close on another spectacular RHS Chelsea Flower Show, we reflect on the powerful synergy created when quality craftsmanship meets inspired design. Our collaboration with Alitex this year vividly showcased how thoughtful hardscaping is far more than just a surface. Our stones were an integral part of the overall design, contributing to the feeling of established elegance and enduring quality that both brands embody. The way the light played across the natural tones of the paving, setting off the gleam of the greenhouse glass, was truly something to behold. It demonstrated how thoughtful hardscaping can elevate an entire garden scheme, creating cohesion and a sense of permanence.
We hope our contribution to the Alitex stands at Chelsea inspired you to consider the transformative power of quality paving in your own garden projects. Ready to lay the foundation for your own timeless outdoor space?
Get the Look
Our National Trust Paving Collection stands as a testament to our enduring commitment to heritage and quality, proudly produced under an exclusive licence from the National Trust. This prestigious collection draws its profound inspiration from the breathtaking landscapes, historic architecture, and beloved gardens nestled within the National Trust's care across the UK. Crafted using our award-winning Stonecast method – where original, time-worn flagstones are faithfully replicated to create paving with unparalleled authenticity – or ethically sourced natural stone and durable porcelain, these pavers offer more than just beauty. They provide robust, frost-resistant, and often naturally non-slip surfaces, ideal for enduring the British climate.
More about Alitex
A partnership that simply makes sense. Alitex, celebrated for their exquisite bespoke aluminium greenhouses and conservatories, shares our unwavering commitment to quality, heritage, and timeless design. Their structures are more than just practical growing spaces; they are architectural statements, designed to complement the most discerning of gardens. And what better foundation for such elegance than our traditional paving. Head over to their website to find out more...
About the Author
Sian McHugh
'Sian has been working with us at Westminster Stone for over 5 years and has developed expertise in garden design and landscaping. Her passion for nature extends to tending her own garden, teaching yoga and hiking during her free time.'
