Working at Chelsea Physic Garden

Sitting on the Thames Embankment and shletered by high walls, Chelsea Physic Garden is one of the oldest and best respected botanic gardens in Europe.  It is the oldest in London.  Founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Company of Apothecaries of London for its apprentices to study medicinal plants and their uses, in the 18th century it became one of the most important centres of botany and plant exchange in the world.

The Physic Garden's plant collection is unique in being the only botanic garden collection focussed on medicinal, herbal and useful plants.

Today as an independent charity it relies on visitors, Friends and supporters to help protect and nurture the Garden for future generations.

The mission of the Physic Garden is to:

demonstrate the medicinal, economic, cultural and environmental importance of plants to the survival and well-being of humankind

The charity carries out this mission for the public benefit by:

Providing programmes of educational activities, publications and events

Maintaining documented plant collections in labelled and interpreted displays in a historic botanic garden

Demonstrating the development of the science and practice of horticulture, botany and related disciplines through the historical role of the Garden

Promoting the importance of the conservation of plants and the natural environment