Chelsea Physic Garden
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First let me explain that the Chelsea Physic Garden is unique. It is not primarily an ornamental garden but a botanic garden specialising in the propagation of medicinal and Mediterranean plants, some of which are toxic.
The society of Apothecaries originally leased the land as a boathouse. It soon became apparent that it was an ideal site for a herb garden. High walls were erected to enclose the area and protect the fragile plants and in 1676 the transfer of plant specimens began. The intention was to discover, cultivate and study plants for scientific and medical purposes, a practice which still continues today.
Sir
Hans Sloane, whose statue stands in the centre of the garden, was to be the
gardens saviour, in 1722 he presented the Society with the freehold and was
instrumental in appointing Philip Miller as curator, who went on to hold the
post for 50 years.At the end of the 19th century the garden's association with the Apothecaries came to an end and in 1983 it became a registered charity and for the first time opened its gates to the public.
The Garden covers an area of about 3.5 acres showing the history of medicinal plants, a Pharmaceutical Garden and an ethnobotanical Garden of World Medicine; one of the oldest rock gardens in Europe (1773); botanical order beds; glasshouses and many rare and tender plants. An historical walk shows plant species introduced to Britain by a succession of famous curators.
This is a specialist garden and may not appeal to everyone, but it has a very calm atmosphere and much historical interest. The Chelsea Physic Garden can be found at, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 4H
| *Link to official site for viewing Visitor Information* |
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