Chelsea Physic Garden
The Chelsea Physic Garden was founded in 1673 on land donated by Sir Hans Sloane – whose artefacts later formed the basis of the British Museum. Phillip Miller was put in charge, and it soon became a centre of scientific study.
Plants arrived from all over the world – brought back from trade trips and wars to London. The first cedars in Britain were planted here, for example, as was cotton from the South Seas. This same cotton was later transferred to the American colonies – kick-starting their vast cotton plantations.
The Chelsea Physic Garden now contains around 5,000 different species split into several groups. There are sections on herbs, poisonous plants and a fantastic rock garden – containing volcanic stones from Iceland. There are also beds devoted to perfume and aromatherapy.
Facts and information
- Address:
- Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea,
London SW3 4HS
England - Telephone:
- Work +44 (0) 207 352 5646
- Fax:
- Fax +44 (0) 207 376 3910
- Bus route:
- 170 171
- Train station:
- Sloane Square
- Opening times:
- noon–dusk (Wed, Apr–Oct); noon–5 (Thu–Fri); noon–6 (Sun)
- Cost:
- Adults £7.00; Children £4.00 (5–15); Infants free (under-5)
Did you know… The Chelsea Physic Garden is the second-oldest botanical garden in the country, after the one in Oxford.
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Chelsea Physic Garden – Related articles…
Events at the Chelsea Physic Garden:
- 30th November 2008
- The Chelsea Physic Gardens Christmas Fair will take place on the 30th November, where there will be festive stalls selling everything from jewellery, gloves, bags and tasty treats, to Christmas carol singing singalongs.
