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Flash Briefing
What: Chelsea Physic Garden Tucked away beside the Thames, Chelsea Physic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in London and houses around 5,000 different medicinal, herbal, edible, and useful plants. The Garden’s location feels special and secret. It is nestled behind walls and positioned close to the River Thames. The ideal Thames location is no accident as back in 1673 the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries chose their Chelsea village site for its proximity to the river to make the most of its warm air currents.  It gave them a base to moor their barge, allowing them to conduct plant finding expeditions in surrounding areas and to teach their apprentices to identify plants, those that might cure and those that might kill! The site is also blessed with a south facing aspect and good quality warm light soil, having previously been the site of a market garden. The River access allowed plants arriving from around the world to be introduced to the British Isles via the Garden, allowing the Garden to make a big impact from early on. Its international reputation was established quickly as a result of the global seed exchange scheme, known as Index Seminum, which it initiated in the 1700s and continues to this day. The Garden’s unique microclimate and location has allowed many of our gardeners throughout our history to grow plants not frequently found outside in the UK, including the UK’s largest fruiting olive tree. In 1976 the head gardener collected a record crop of 7lb of ripe olives, which is a London crop record! Chelsea is no longer a village but the Garden’s location still feels special and has been a huge factor in its success to this day. Things to see in the garden: https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/Pages/Category/things-to-see-highlights Cost: Main Season Admission prices (March 1, 2020 - October 30, 2020) Adults: £13.50*/£12 Concessions (Students and children aged 5-15): £9.50*/£8.50 Family Ticket (Two adults/Three children): £40.50*/£37 Children under five: Free *includes voluntary donation Opening times: Open Monday to Friday and Sunday 11am - 5.30pm (last entry 30 minutes before closing or dusk) Event: Eat Out to Help Out From Monday 3rd August, we'll be taking part in the government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme which runs throughout the month! We are pleased to be part of this initiative which means when you dine at the Physic Garden Café between Monday - Wednesday, we'll automatically take 50% off your bill, up to £10 per person. Excluding events and alcohol With socially-distanced tables and menu inspired by the season’s best produce, our café is the perfect place to relax and bask in the pleasures of the garden. Your favourite Italian antipasti feature alongside elegant grilled vegetables and soups inspired by the season’s bounty. Think refreshing gazpacho or an aubergine caponata. Digital garden For those missing the Garden we've been out and about with our digital camera to bring you some immersive 360-degree images. These images were taken on 30 April 2020 and we will continue to update them as the year progresses. https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/digital-garden Address: 66 Royal Hospital Road Chelsea SW3 4HS LONDON Public entrance to the garden is via Swan Walk, SW3 on Monday – Friday, Sundays & Bank Holidays. Access for those with limited mobility is at 66 Royal Hospital  Road. Book here: https://chelseaphysicgarden.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options Website: https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/

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London Guided Walks' Best of Blackfriars Private Tour Step back in time to Roman, Medieval, Tudor and Victorian London, discover the best of Blackfriars on this circular tour of a much forgotten world. Book here: https://www.londonguidedwalks.co.uk/blackfriars-tour.php Promo Code: SUMMER2020 (20% off of Private Tours booked in August & September)