Chelsea Physic Garden
The Chelsea Physic garden is a quiet haven on the edges of Chelsea that has historical and current day significance in the gardening world. It is one of the few places that offer a retreat from the the city and allow you to immerse yourself in all things botanical.
Housing around 5,000 different medicinal, edible and herbal plants, the garden has huge botanical significance.
Originally part of the garden of Danvers House (pulled down to make way for Danvers Street), Dr Hans Sloane purchased the adjacent Manor of Chelsea and leased four acres of this to the Society of Apothecaries. They had to supply him with 50 good herbarium samples a year and the south facing aspect, warm air currents from the river and light, good quality soil made this site perfect. The nearby river allowed great access for plants from around the world. The garden’s high brick walls gave further protection and it has allowed the garden to become one of the world’s most richly stocked botanical gardens.
There are some fabulous stories linked to the garden including one that tells of cotton seeds from the Chelsea Physic garden being transported over to Georgia which in time resulted in the American cotton industry. They also hold the record for the largest crop of olives in London, 7 lbs!
Fast forward to the 1980’s and the garden became a registered charity with a leading educational role especially in the field of natural medicines. It opened to the public and has slowly added to its offering. There is lots you can see, be involved in or just absorb at your own pace.
Medicinal plant summer schools, behind the scenes tours, courses on botany, floral art workshops, tree identification seminars, talks encompassing topics from ‘How to grow your own food in a container’ to ‘I-Tea Bar:Smart Device photography for Beginners.
There’s a wider influence to the Chelsea Physic Garden too, there are projects involving both primary and secondary school children and community groups across London. The Elkstone Road Garden project is working to develop a green space in North Kensington linked to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
The English Gardening School uses the Chelsea Physic Garden as it’s London base and runs world-renowned courses in Garden Design.
You can hire the garden for weddings and garden parties, use The Gallery to accommodate events, workshops or training days or receptions. By using their facilities you can really contribute to the ongoing legacy of the garden.
The Physic Garden café is open to anyone visiting the garden (entrance to the garden is around £11 for a non-member). It has just changed caterers and now offers a more formal but varied menu (see online), my first visit post the changeover was pretty good. There’s also a small shop with a good selection of gifts and gardening books.
There are a few ways you can get involved in the garden. There’s a Friend’s membership that has a variety of options. Volunteers are key to the running of the garden and there is the option of becoming a horticultural volunteer, a garden tour guide or educational guide.
The Physic garden is a treasure set in the most delightful part of Chelsea, somewhere to enjoy the seasons. Go see!
OPENING HOURS: (check website for details)
31st March- 1st November Garden, shop and Café are open Mon-Fri 11am-6pm
www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk
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