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CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN

1 ha

📷 Christine Matthews · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsInsects
Dogs welcome1 ha

Getting here

51.48454, -0.16216

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About CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN

The Chelsea Physic Garden was established as the Apothecaries' Garden in London, England, in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries to grow plants to be used as medicines. This four-acre physic garden, the term here referring to the science of healing, is among the oldest botanical gardens in Britain, after the University of Oxford Botanic Garden. Its rock garden is the oldest in Europe devoted to alpine plants and Mediterranean plants.

Read more on Wikipedia →
Botanical gardenGrade I listed park and gardenc. 1673

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
  • ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Bike parkingParking· PaidToilets

Best for

6 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Magpie, Robin, Mallard +41 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Magpie, Robin, Mallard +41 more · last seen 2026

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Harlequin Ladybird, Batman Hoverfly, 7-spot Ladybird +245 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Harlequin Ladybird, Batman Hoverfly, 7-spot Ladybird +245 more · last seen 2026

Free

Heritage

Historic site

Free

Easy access

parking, toilets

Varies

Seasonal nature

Plants — Crescent-cup Liverwort, Silver-moss, Grey-cushioned Grimmia +6 more · last seen 2026; Plants — Crescent-cup Liverwort, Silver-moss, Grey-cushioned Grimmia +6 more · last seen 2026

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

31 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Wandle TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Peter's Hill pedwayWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Capital Ring link to Balham stationWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
link to West Dulwich stationWalking route

signposted link from West Dulwich station to the Green Chain Walk

Named routeRef G-C linkRegional walking route
Jubilee Walkway (Camden Loop)Walking route
Named routeRound tripRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

405 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Cycleway 3Cycling route
Named routeRef C3Regional cycle route
Route ■Cycling route
Named routeRef ■Local cycle route
Route (C27)Cycling route
Named routeRef (C27)Regional cycle route
Route ■Cycling route
Named routeRef ■Local cycle route
Route QCycling route
Named routeRef QRegional cycle route
Route CCycling route
Named routeRef CRegional cycle route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Chelsea Physic Garden, Royal Hospital Road, London

📷 Christine Matthews · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Chelsea Physic Garden, Royal Hospital Road, London

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Battersea ParkUrban park700 m→🌱Clapham CommonUrban park3 km→🌱Lambeth Palace GardenUrban park3.3 km→🌱Lambeth Palace GardenUrban park3.3 km→🌱Archbishop's ParkUrban park3.4 km→🌱Archbishop's ParkUrban park3.4 km→

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