The Medicinal Garden contains more than 1,000 different plants connected to the history and practice of medicine worldwide. They are arranged according to their geographical origin around the modernist headquarters of the 500-year-old Royal College of Physicians. All plants are labelled and some have colour-coded texts highlighting links to doctors in medicine, pharmaceuticals and Shakespeare's poetry. Notable collections include Citrus, Cycads, South African flora and an area dedicated to plants used by 17th century physicians. The garden aims to give delight and generate interest, displaying beautiful plants from around the world while offering insights into their qualities and uses.
Learn how plants were used as medicines over the past five millennia to the present on free conducted tours by Garden Fellows (physicians from different fields of medicine) throughout the day. Tea and light refreshments. Toilets. Free Wi-Fi. Free trail leaflets, plant lists and some books for sale. Information on all the plants can be found at http://garden.rcplondon.ac.uk/
Picnics allowed.
Entrance
Main garden at end of St Andrews Place. Access from Outer Circle, NOT Albany St or Peto Place Nearest postcode: NW1 4LE What 3 Words:
modes.calls.fresh
One of London's largest private squares, designed and laid out by John Nash. Dominated by plane trees planted in 1817 to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo. An original and unique feature of the garden is the Grade II listed Nursemaids' Tunnel.
A beautiful Georgian square with a fine collection of trees, shrubs and plants, first laid out in 1776-88. A major ongoing replanting programme began in 2006.
A hidden central London gem on the site of Charles Dickens' house, designed by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens and planted extensively with medicinal herbs.
Guest speakers discuss where nature meets art and architecture.
Café open.
Built between 1775 and 1786, Bedford Square is the finest and most complete Georgian square in London and set the style for garden squares in the capital through the late 18th and early 19th centuries.