Chelsea Physic Garden is widely acclaimed for its extensive botanical collection. However, the Garden also harbours a fascinating ecology that remains largely unnoticed by most visitors.

Over the upcoming year, the Garden is undertaking a comprehensive biodiversity audit to catalogue all species present within its walls. This tour offers an opportunity to accompany the Garden’s Consultant Ecologist, Connor Butler, on an in-depth exploration of the Garden’s wildlife. Participants will investigate the diversity of mosses, lichens, and liverworts thriving in the garden, examine decaying wood piles for beetles, slugs and woodlice, and use nets to survey the pond for amphibians and insects.

This tour offers the opportunity to learn about the hidden wildlife found in London’s oldest botanic garden.

About Connor Butler:

Connor is the former Head of Learning at Chelsea Physic Garden, and a Consultant Ecologist overseeing a Biodiversity Audit of the Garden. He has been surveying London’s dung beetles over the past year so can often be found looking for insects in the grossest of places. With an aim to help Londoners see “ordinary” wildlife from new perspectives, Connor encourages everyone to take time to appreciate the smallest details in nature and to show love for the often unloved creatures on our diverse planet.