Beside the Thames River in one of Chelsea’s quiet residential neighborhoods just a few blocks from Sloane Square, the Chelsea Physic Garden is a medieval apothecary garden. High brick walls create a secret garden allure. They also help to lock in the moisture and warmth from the river, creating a microclimate that insures the survival of nonnative plants growing in the garden. It boasts the largest fruiting olive tree in Britain and the world’s northern most grapefruit.

Founded in 1673, the Physic Gardens still promotes the study of botany in relation to medicinal uses. Crisscrossing the pebbled paths of the garden, the ancient reverence for the healing powers of the some 5000 plants is intriguing. The garden was private for over 200 years and is now open to the public. But be warned. The Psychic Gardens is a curious community of plants, ranging from Valeriana officinalis used for treatment of the nerves, to black cumin, helpful with digestion, and you can easily get lost in this medieval world.

Some Tips from Ian, a Friend of the Physic Gardens:

• Go on a guided walk with a volunteer guide, normally leaving from the entrance gate every 30 minutes in summer & autumn. You learn something different every time.
• Note that for some inexplicable reason, the garden is not open on Saturday.
• Have a bite to eat at the Cafe. It really is a cafe (snack meals in informal surroundings) but the food is to a high standard –either for a real meal at lunchtime or tea & cakes in the afternoon, with the chefs coming from some of the ‘names you’d recognize’ restaurants in London
• For December visitors to London, check for the dates of the Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair. Wonderful stalls with lots of unique high quality (and not expensive) Christmas gifts. It’s a shame that most of our clients cannot take back some of the potted plants for sale at the Fair.