The Secret Garden
Over the years, I have fallen head over heels in love with London. Admittedly, there are days that I long for sandy beaches, where all I would need would be an umbrella to shade me from the sun (as opposed to the dreary rain…) But it is when I stumble upon some of the city’s hidden corners that I remember exactly why I decided to make this home (well, one of the many): with its multi-ethnic vibrancy and a pulse that beats to a rhythm all its own, London is just…well,London.
One such little hidden gem is the Chelsea Physic Garden, tucked away in a tranquil, residential area just a stone’s throw away from the banks of the river Thames. As you step through the small gate within the garden’s surrounding red-brick wall, you suddenly forget that you are mere 5 minute walk away from the frenetic bustle of Sloane Square and find youself immersed in an oasis from an era gone by. Built in 1673 by the Society of Apothecaries of London, it was used by their apprentices to grow and study medicinal plants, which hailed everywhere from New Zealand to Brazil and many of which are still grown in the Garden today. Under the wing of its original owner Dr Hans Sloane, the Garden attracted numerous leading botanists of the time and a great exchange of plants and seeds, many of which had never been cultivated in Britain before.
As you stroll through this impeccably-kept four-acre site, the air of which is filled with the sweet smells of its exotic flowers, your eye can’t help but fall upon the countless of strange yet wonderfully-shaped leaves and plants that fill this lush landscape. The cool fernery and the beehive corner (the honey from which is apparently to-die-for…if you are luckier than I was, you might just be able to snap up a jar of this coveted golden syrup) were some of my top highlights, as was the rock garden (which includes pieces of carved stone once part of the Tower of London).
After having explored this enthralling natural world, savour a fragrant cup of tea with freshly-baked scones at one of the outdoor tables of the Tangerine Dreams Cafe. You don’t have to be a botanist to truly enjoy this remarkable secret garden. As I stepped out back into the noisy chaos of the world outside, my being felt utterly refreshed and ready to fall in love with this city all over again.
Swan Walk, SW3 4HS
Wed-Fri 12-5pm, Sundays & Bank Holidays 12-6pm
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Filed under: Living
Wow, it looks like a very cool and relaxing place to see. Thanks for the hint, very very interesting!!!