September is a busy month for heritage and design events. Let’s not forget the festivities on the iconic River Thames, Totally Thames. I’ve been avid attendee of the Open House Festival since 2011. Open House allowed me to visit the Bank of England to see the new pound notes made from polymer with Jane Austen before they were released. One year I was able to view the National Art Collection, explore Ham House, visited Garrick’s Temple to Shakespeare. In 2024, being a fan of the Netflix series You, I visited Lincoln’s Inn. This year, I kicked off the festival by visiting Chelsea Physic Garden on day 2 of the festival. The garden has been on my list for about 5 years now. Every year, for one reason or the other, I miss it. This year, they hosted an open day on Sunday! So, I seized the chance to visit. Although it was a bleak, slightly rainy afternoon, the garden was a balm for the soul. Chelsea Physic Garden is truly a botanical hidden gem in London.
About Chelsea Physic Garden
The Chelsea Physic Garden was founded in 1673, when the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London leased the land for 61 years from Charles Cheyne. Works began on the wall that surrounds the garden in 1676. Then, 1680-81, the Glasshouse was built in the Garden and it was heated by a stove. In 1682, an international seed exchange programme was established. The programme still exists today.
For over three centuries, the garden has had many milestones. It’s been a part of agricultural research, employed women, hosted celebrations for LGBTQ+ and Black History Months and more.
My Visit to the garden
I explored the garden fully. As a point of interest, I decided to colour hunt for blooms and leaves from the purple colour family. It was a fantastic way to enjoy this botanical hidden gem in London whimsically. The garden didn’t’ disappoint from blousy cosmos blooms to a wide variety of lanky salvias and prickly thistles. Structurally stunning cyclamen along the woodland walk and rosemary in the Pond Rockery.
Chelsea Physic Garden has 192 trees of 158 species over 4 acres. Home to over 4,500 different medicinal, edible and useful plants. Walking along it’s paths is a therapeutic way to spend an hour our two.
Know before you visit Chelsea Physic Garden
The garden is open Sunday to Friday, closed on Saturdays. The public entrance to the Garden is via 66 Royal Hospital Road. 170 bus from Victoria Station stop G will take you there.
Tickets prices range from £5 – £15 Be sure to check visitor guidelines and accessibility.
At the height of autumn, the garden will host two open days for Chelsea History Weekend and to stay in the loop of what’s on CLICK HERE.
Get Social
Have you ever gone on a colour walk? If you haven’t, I suggest it’s the type of walk that can add excitement and learning when walking with little ones.
Open City Festival runs 12th – 20th September. Lots of places to explore. I hope you enjoyed this post. While you are here, check out my other days out for inspiration. Remember follow me on Instagram @xpatathome and @msxpat
