Chelsea Physic Garden

London is one of the most celebrated cities in the world and a favourite European tourist destination. Visit the Chelsea Physic Garden, founded in 1673, as the Apothecaries' Garden, with the purpose of training apprentices in identifying plants. The location was chosen as the proximity to the river created a warmer microclimate allowing the survival of many non-native plants - such as the largest outdoor fruiting olive tree in Britain - and more importantly, to allow plants to survive harsh British winters. The river was also important as a transport route that linked the garden to other open spaces such as Putney Heath, facilitating easy movements of both plants and botanists. In fact the garden has always sought to achieve good communications with others working in the same field: by the 1700's it had initiated an international botanic garden seed exchange system, which continues to this day.

Environments for supporting different types of plants were built, including the pond rock garden, constructed from a variety of rock types, namely stones from the Tower of London, Icelandic lava (brought to the garden by Sir Joseph Banks in 1772 on a ship named St. Lawrence), fused bricks and flint. This curious structure has been listed Grade II* and is the oldest rock garden in England on view to the public. It was completed on 16th August 1773.

In 1848 Robert Fortune used Wardian cases, which are rather like miniature greenhouses, to transport seedlings of Camelia sinensis (tea) from China leading to the establishment of the tea industry in India. In 1876 the Garden enlarged its educational aspirations by deciding to run a lecture course for young women who were training as botany teachers. At the end of the 19th century the trustees of the City Parochial Foundation agreed to take over the running of the Garden from the Society of Apothecaries. In 1983 The Garden became a registered charity and open to the general public for the first time. London day tour has many of the options like London Open Top Bus Tours, London Guided Tour and London Walking Tour.

The Chelsea Physic Garden is the second oldest botanic garden in England. The largest fruiting olive tree in Britain and the world’s northern-most outdoor grapefruit tree call this historic botanic and apothecary garden home. Hidden behind towering brick walls, protected from the city’s sounds and harsh breezes, the most idyllic collection of plants flourish in a unique, carefully created microclimate. Established in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, Chelsea Physic Gardens provides both an aesthetic and practical purpose. Gravel pathways, statues and ponds separate and decorate the different gardens with a stunning array of plants, whose practical purpose soon becomes apparent; The Pharmaceutical Garden and Garden of World Medicine support the garden’s pledge to continue researching the medicinal properties and healing potential of herbs. Conservation and education also play a key role in the choice and development of plants here. The Chelsea Physic Gardens are much loved by locals, and this is a magical spot for a short walk in one of the most interesting gardens in the capital. Educational and beautiful, the gardens will uplift you and make you feel ready for a virtuous pint in the nearby local watering hole, The Surprise.  
Join a London bus tour and discover the array of attractions in London.

Best for:

History, herbs and healing, olives, grapefruit, tobacco and barley.  

Did you know?

Stones from the Tower of London, Icelandic lava, fused bricks from row houses, and flint were all used to create the Chelsea Physic rock garden.