About Chelsea Physic Garden
Sitting on the Thames Embankment, and sheltered by high walls, Chelsea Physic Garden is one of the oldest and most respected botanic gardens in Europe. It is the oldest in London, and only surpassed in age, in England, by Oxford Botanic Garden.
Founded in 1673 by The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London for its apprentices to study medicinal plants and their uses, it became one of the most important centres of botany and plant exchange in the world. Chelsea Physic Garden’s plant collection is unique in being the only botanic garden collection focused on medicinal, herbal and useful plants.
Today, as an independent charity, we rely on visitors, Friends and supporters to help protect and nurture the Garden for future generations.
Trustees & staff
People and plants have shaped Chelsea Physic Garden since 1673. The people who currently work or volunteer in the garden still believe in the power of plants.
Chelsea Physic Garden has been awarded a gold in Green Tourism. As a not-for-profit organisation, Green Tourism has more than 2,000 members across the UK, Ireland and Canada, making us the world’s largest and most established sustainable certification programme in the world.
London's Garden
Chelsea Physic Garden has been London’s Garden for 349 years. We have grown medicinal plants for physicians, provided a for centre research for doctors and horticulturalists and today we are space of learning and wellbeing for our city.
It’s always fascinating to visit gardens in other parts of the country. Our partner gardens offer an opportunity to learn about the plants and people that make inspiring places using plants and the natural conditions.
We are further spreading the word of how important plants are to our everyday lives by engaging with school children, young people and community groups across London. Check out what we have been up to.
Our mission is to explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future
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