Chelsea Physic Garden – London, England - Atlas Obscura
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Chelsea Physic Garden

London, England

London's old-school healing garden. 

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Sir Hans Sloane
Andie Mistler
A species known as the "Love lies bleeding plant" Jamesjhawkins (Creative Commons)
The notorious "Devils weed" or Datura Stramonium , with hallucinogenic properties capable of putting a person into a permanent psychotic state Jamesjhawkins (Creative Commons)
Cactus Greenhouse SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
Symbol of Apothecary SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
542
1899
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London’s oldest botanic garden, the Chelsea Physic Garden was first established in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries as a teaching garden, designed to allow apprentices a structured environment in which they could learn to identify important medicinal plants.

Today the garden is home to about 5,000 edible, medicinal and healing plants. The collection also includes species with notoriously hallucinogenic properties that are historically associated with witchcraft and paganism such as the mandrake, datura, henbane, and deadly nightshade plants.

A statue of the garden’s benefactor, the Irish physician and collector Sir Hans Sloane, sits in the garden. Sloane also contributed to the founding of the British Museum and the Natural History Museum, as well as contributed a small collection of rare religious works now held in the chained library at Chelsea Old Church, where he is buried.

A self-guided historical walk is plotted out at the garden to highlight some of the key personalities involved in the garden’s history, including the exploring naturalist Sir Joseph Banks.

 

Know Before You Go

The garden is closed Saturdays. Hours vary on the season, check the website to avoid disappointment. There is a cafe and other amenities on site. A modest entrance fee is charged regardless of how long the garden.

plants
Nearby
The Albert Bridge
0.24 miles
Brown Dog Statue
0.25 miles
Chained Library at Chelsea Old Church
0.37 miles
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