Established in 1673, Chelsea Physic Garden in London is the second oldest botanical garden in England (after Oxford) and a beautiful hidden gem tucked away in between Royal Hospital Road and the Thames Embankment. The garden is a celebration of the beauty and importance of plants, housing a unique living collection of around 5,000 types, with a focus on edible, medicinal and useful plants, as well as rare and endangered species.
Chelsea Physic Garden is a fascinating place to visit and is like a secret garden in the city. There are usually family activities and workshops during half-term and school holidays to help children understand more about the importance of plants. In this post, I’ll share more about what to see and the upcoming workshops at Chelsea Physic Garden London with kids.
Related: Halloween Kids Activities in London
Table of Contents
Garden of Medicinal Plants
One of the first areas to explore at Chelsea Physic Garden is the Garden of Medicinal Plants, which consists of plant displays from every region of the world and their key medicinal uses. It is important to note, especially when visiting with young children, that there are some poisonous plants around the garden, so you should not eat, touch or remove any living or dead plants, flowers, berries, leaves.
Tropical Corridor & Glasshouses
The glasshouses at Chelsea Physic Garden including a Tropical Corridor along the back, collections of sub-tropical, Mediterranean species and back-up plants of those grown outdoors that may not survive a cold or wet winter.
Garden of Edible and Useful Plants
The Garden of Edible and Useful Plants showcases the diverse range of plant species on which people depend in our everyday lives.
There are examples of productive and functional plants, such as the gourd below for making music or ropes made from hemp.
Chelsea Physic Garden London with Kids
Family Activity Days
Chelsea Physic Garden runs several Family Activity Days during half-term and school holidays, which are a great way for families to make the most of visiting the garden and discovering more about the plants. You can see the latest list of events, tours and workshops here on the Chelsea Physic Garden What’s On webpage. Select “Family” in the “Choose an event type” field for upcoming events and workshops for kids.
During the October half term break in London, Chelsea Physic Garden will be running several Halloween-themed family workshops. Workshop tickets include entry to the Garden that day. Read on for more details.
Halloween Family Workshops at Chelsea Physic Garden
27 -31 October 2024
Over the October half term, Chelsea Physic Garden will be running several great Halloween activities for kids. Listen to spooky tales at the Enchanted Cottage, take part in Halloween crafts and paint or carve your own pumpkin or enjoy a fun costume party and mask making afternoon. Halloween workshop tickets range from £10 to £15 per child and £15 to £20 per adult.
Stories from the Enchanted Cottage (27-31 October): Wander through the Magic Forest to the cosy Enchanted Cottage, where Magical Storyteller Emily will tell fun, spooky tales.
Paint a Pumpkin (28, 30 October): Paint your very own pumpkin and enjoy a spooky tour of Chelsea Physic Garden.
Pumpkin Carving (28, 30 October): Participants will learn about pumpkin plants and explore the Garden through autumn. All materials and tools will be provided, and each participant will take home their own jack-0-lantern creation.
Make Your Own Broomstick (29 October): Craft your own broomstick using plant materials foraged at the Chelsea Physic Garden. Each participant will leave with a unique broomstick which will complement your costumes, home, or garden for the upcoming holiday season.
Cookie Decorating (29 October): Join in on a fun Halloween cookie decorating session and explore autumnal colours and creatures. Enjoy a wander through the autumn garden after the workshop.
Potions and Bubbles (31 October): Enjoy a Halloween potion making session and brew a special bubbling bath soap. All tools and materials are provided, and each participant will take home their own personal potion mixture.
Costume Party and Mask Making (31 October): Get ready for a spooktacular Halloween adventure at Chelsea Physic Garden London! Take part in a fun costume party and leaf mask making session.
Book family workshop tickets at the Chelsea Physic Garden
Find more inspiration for things to do in London this October in our Halloween in London with kids post.
Chelsea Physic Garden London Address
Address: 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, SW3 4HS. Entrance is on Swan Walk, SW3.
Opening Hours: from 21 January – 11am to 4pm (last entry 3.30pm); closed on Saturdays. Friends of Chelsea Physic Garden are welcome to enter the Garden from 10 am, an hour before the General public.
Food and Drink: The Tangerine Dream Café is the garden’s award-winning café serving fresh homemade food including light lunches and an afternoon tea with handmade cakes and lavender scones.
Tickets: Admission prices from January 2024 are £10 for adults (or £11 with voluntary donation); £5 children and students age 5 to 18 years old (or £6.50 with voluntary donation); children under 5 years old enter free.
Closest Tube Stations: Sloane Square [Circle & District lines]; which is about a 15 minute walk away
https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/
This post was updated on 18 September 2024 with up-to-date visitor information and details about Halloween-themed family workshops over October half term.
