Chelsea Physic Garden Outdoors

Situated in the heart of Chelsea, this 'Secret Garden' is a centre of education, beauty and relaxation. Founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries it continues it's research into the properties, origins and conservation of over 5000 species.

The Chelsea Physic Garden was founded by the Society of Apothecaries in 1673 in order to promote the study of botany in relation to medicine, then known as the "physic" or healing arts. As the second oldest botanic garden in England it still fulfils the traditional functions of scientific research and plant conservation and undertakes to educate and inform as well as to provide the amenity of a walled "secret" garden in the heart of London.

The Garden holds approximately 5000 taxa, the collection concentrates on medicinal plants and those of ethnobotanical interest, as well as rare and endangered species. We also grow plants named or introduced by people associated with the Garden's history.

The mild microclimate created by the shelter of the city and the Garden's south facing aspect allows us to grow many tender plants, especially from the Mediterranean region and the Canary Islands.

The glasshouse range holds a collection of tropical, sub-tropical and Mediterranean species as well as back-up plants of those grown outdoors that may not survive a cold or wet winter.

We are open from: 3rd April - 30th October 2005, Wednesdays 12 noon - 5 pm and Sundays 2 - 6 pm

As well as these other special open days

N.B. We are not open on bank holiday Mondays