Chelsea Physic Garden at the 350th Anniversary

More than 350 years ago a 4-acre walled garden was established on the north bank of the Thames river by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries. The garden was used for the production of medicinal herbs by the members of the apothecary guild. Prior to the guild, the walled garden had been in private hands - which at one time included Sir Thomas More, who eventually lost his head for his opposition to Henry VIII.

Three hundred years later the garden was finally opened to the public in 1987. In 2023 I had the privilege of visiting the garden shortly after the Victorian-era, teak-framed glass houses had been restored to like-new condition. Many of the plants were past-peak in September, but some color remained here and there.

Senna corymbosa, long used as a laxitive

St. John's wort, used to treat infections and inflammation

Wide-angle view of offices to the far left, and glass houses on the right. Chelsea mansions stand in the distance.

Plumbing and window crank detail in a glass house of desert plants

Begonia growing around an iron window crank

Benches with attractive wrought iron supports

Many of the plants are growing directly in the ground.

Clever informal trellis supporting a jasmine plant (Jasminum sambac)

Botanist Joseph Banks, who sailed with Captain Cook - the shell in the background is from one of Cook's voyages to Australia.

For a more about the history of the Chelsea Physic garden here is a link to a lecture by the director of education Michael Holland:

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