Chelsea Physic Garden

London Gardens: Chelsea Physic Garden

Seeding History: London's historic Chelsea Physic Garden

Chelsea Physic Garden, located in one of London's most affluent areas near the River Thames, is an historic garden with a long history.

Chelsea Physic Garden, London, UK — Statue of Hans Sloane, Chelsea Physic Garden, London

History

Chelsea Physic Garden was established in 1673 as the Apothecaries' Garden for training students to identify and use medicinal plants, making it the second oldest botanical garden in Britain, after the University of Oxford Botanic Garden, in Oxford, founded in 1621.

Hans Sloane, previously a student at the Chelsea Physic Garden, was to purchase an area of land containing the garden and lease it back to the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London at a minimal rent.

In 1700's, the Chelsea Physic Garden began a seed-exchange programme (Index Seminum) which saw the introduction of rubber to Malaysia, cotton to the southern states of the USA and tea seedlings from China to India.

Chelsea Physic Garden holds a number of remarkable "firsts" in the history of botany and plants. It has the oldest garden devoted to alpine plants, the largest fruiting olive tree in Britain and world's northernmost grapefruit growing outdoors.

The Chelsea Physic Garden became a registered charity in 1983 and opened its doors to the public.

Collection

The Chelsea Physic Garden contains around 5,000 different species of medicinal and rare plants.

The garden's microclimate produced by the high walls, proximity to the River Thames and south facing aspect allows for the cultivation of many Mediterranean plants. The glasshouses hold further tropical and sub-tropical species.

The garden is sub-divided into various sections including: The Pharmaceutical Garden containing species useful for treating various illnesses and medical conditions; The Garden of World Medicine with healing plants grown by various cultures around the world including plants used in Chinese and Indian medicine (Ayurveda), and by such groups as the Aborigines, Native Americans and Maori; The Garden of Edible and Useful Plants displays productive and functional plants from around the world including a mini vineyard.

Cafe

The Tangerine Dream Cafe at the Chelsea Physic Garden serves a varying menu of lunches and afternoon teas prepared on site. The food and drink can be enjoyed al fresco in the delightful setting.

Courses, Educational Visits, Hiring

The Chelsea Physic Garden receives over 5,000 school children a year who visit the garden for educational tours.

In addition, the garden hosts a variety of courses designed for adults on such diverse subjects as botany for beginners, beekeeping, handicrafts, indoor gardening, and plant photography.

Chelsea Physic Garden is also available for hire for corporate events and private parties such as birthday parties and weddings.

Access

Chelsea Physic Garden (chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk)
66 Royal Hospital Rd
Chelsea
London SW3 4HS
Tel: 020 7352 5646

Hours

Mondays; Garden only 11 am-5 pm, café and shop closed.
Tuesday- Friday; Garden and shop 11 am-6 pm (or dusk if earlier); café 11 am-5 pm
Sundays, Bank Holidays; Garden, café and shop 11 am-6 pm

Late summer openings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in July and August until 10 pm (last entry 8.30 pm).

Admission: end of January-end of March: 6.10 GBP; beginning of April-end of October 9.50 GBP

The nearest tube station to Chelsea Physic Garden is Sloane Square. The 170 bus to Victoria Station stops outside Chelsea Physic Garden.