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Chelsea Physic Garden, London

Botanic gardens were first established in Pisa, Padua and Florence in the 1540s as medicinal teaching collections. The first botanic garden in Britain was Oxford Botanic Garden established in 1621, closely followed by Chelsea Physic Garden of 1673. Research into the medicinal properties of plants continues at both gardens today.

For hundreds of years plants were the mainstay of medicine, and it wasn't until the work of researchers such as Pelletier and Magandie in the early nineteenth century that active therapeutic substances in plants began to be successfully isolated. This led to pharmacy as it is known today. Even today people feel an attraction towards the plants that were the original source for many of our medicines. In some cases of course the plant remains the best therapy. Better to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables than vitamin tablets.

Opening Times: The garden is open 1st April until October 31st from Wednesday to Friday, midday until 5pm and on Sundays and bank holiday Mondays from midday until 6pm. Last admission is thirty minutes before closing.

There are two weekend openings on 6th - 7th and 13th - 14th February 10am - 4pm.

There is a shop and a tearoom.

Education packs are available for school visits.

Address: Chelsea Physic garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS

Directions: Chelsea Physic Garden is on a triangular shaped site at 66, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea. The entrance is in Swan Walk. The nearest Underground Station is Sloane Square - from the station turn left into Lower Sloane Street, right into Royal Hospital Road, Cross Tite Street, and then turn left into Swan Walk. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred on Chealsea Physic Garden.

Access: enter through the foyer at 66 Royal Hospital Road. Ring ahead to discuss your needs.

Contact:

telephone: 020 7352 5646

fax: 020 7376 3910

web site: http://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/index.html

 

Whilst in London why not enjoy a show or play.