Chelsea Physic Gardens
Chelsea Physic Gardens
66 Royal Hospital Road
London SW3 4HS
Tel: 020 7352 5646
About Chelsea Physic Gardens
Chelsea Physic Gardens are on Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea, London, and are a mesmerising, relaxing charity-run family attraction. Open to the public since 1983, the family attraction was founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, which still researches and conserves over 5000 species of plant at Chelsea Physic Gardens.
Facing south aside the Thames, Chelsea Physic Gardens have a micro-climate that harbours plants from the Mediterranean and Canary Islands, including the largest outdoor fruiting olive tree in Britain. By the 18th century, Chelsea Physic Gardens had established an international seed exchange, and the fruits of those can be seen all around this enchanting family attraction.
Covering more than four acres, Chelsea Physic Gardens features a Grade II-listed Georgian pond rock garden, constructed from stones from the Tower of London, Icelandic lava introduced in 1772, bricks and flint - the oldest public rock garden in England.
Tea seedlings were planted at Chelsea Physic Gardens in 1848, though the focus is on medicinal plants, plus rare and endangered species. Ticket holders can visit the Garden of World Medicine and see beds of clinically-proven plants used medicinally by North American Indians, Maoris, Australian Aboriginals and Chinese, and in India, South Africa and Europe.
The Pharmaceutical Garden displays plants containing therapeutic compounds, including Madagascar Periwinkle (anti-cancer alkaloids), Woolly Foxglove (digoxin, a cardiac glycoside), Meadowsweet (salicylic acid for aspirin) and barley (lignocaine anaesthetic).
The west-facing Historical Walk at Chelsea Physic Gardens features Rosmarinus officinale and Jasminum officinale, North American Aster tradescantii and Tradescantia virginiana, Yucca filamentosa, Rose Plantain, Plantago 'Rosularis' and Rosa sherardii. What other family attraction can boast that!
In addition to flora, Chelsea Physic Gardens attracts many creatures, not least avian visitors attracted by boxes and feeders. Among those brightening up a family day out to Chelsea Physic Gardens are dunnock, wren, robin, blackbird, thrush, long-tailed, coal, great and blue tits, heron, mallard duck, wood pigeon, woodpecker, jay, magpie, crow, starling and greenfinch. If you’re lucky, you might spot migrants such as kingfisher, wagtail, blackcap, whitethroat, chiffchaff, goldcrest, willow warbler and spotted flycatcher, or fleeting fly-bys from a cormorant, sparrowhawk, gulls or even a toucan. For twitchers it’s worth the price of the ticket alone!
Chelsea Physic Gardens plays host to foxes, mice, grey squirrels and pipistrelle bats too, while two ponds nurture captivating insects like dragonflies, damselflies, caddisflies and mayflies, as well as water beetles, pond skaters, water boatmen, Cyclops, snails and lake limpet. Vertebrates are represented by stickleback and common frog, toad and newt.
A ticket to the magical Chelsea Physic Gardens provides a restful break from the city, while refreshments are available at the café and disabled facilities include pre-booked foyer access and a wheelchair, making it a top family day out for everyone throughout the year. Additionally, Chelsea Physic Gardens serves as a unique, bookable venue for lawn parties, weddings, meetings and lectures.