Today, I’m taking you on a trip to Chelsea Physic Garden, located in central London, and a walk around the nearby Battersea Park. I had visited the Chelsea Physic Garden before, during last year’s Plant Festival. It was a nice, chilled day out and I decided to do it again this year. Entry to the Garden is free during the festival, which is the perfect opportunity to visit it. There is also a small fair taking place in the Garden during the festival, where you can find a variety of craft goods – including skincare products, chocolate bars and, naturally, plants and herbs. It was a fun day!

Hidden gems on the way to Chelsea Physic Garden

I took the tube to Victoria Station – one of London’s most famous train stations – and then walked to Chelsea Physic Garden, which took just under 20 minutes. I quite enjoy walking around that part of London, especially at quiet times. It was a Saturday morning and it was starting to get busy, but wasn’t too bad yet.

I was checking the route on Google Maps, and I accidentally spotted a historical landmark on the map, right next to me. I never knew that Margaret Thatcher, one of Britain’s most famous Prime Ministers, was buried in a small cemetery next to the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The cemetery was closed, but I could see Mrs. Thatcher’s grave from afar. How odd! I always assume that famous figures rest in famous cemeteries, with large, elaborate tombstones. The Prime Minister’s grave is a simple stone slab, level with the pavement, with just her name and years of birth and death engraved on it.

I continued my walk to the Chelsea Physic Garden and remembered that the National Army Museum is right next to it. I’ve never visited it, but I suppose you can plan a busy day out in this area!

Visiting the Chelsea Physic Garden

I got to the Garden exactly at 10am, and there was a small queue of 30-40 people lined up already. The door hadn’t opened yet. After a few minutes, the Garden was ready to welcome visitors and we were allowed to enter. The queue moved really quickly, and in no time, I was in.

I knew what to expect in the Garden, I had already visited it last year. There was a small fair taking place in the Garden, and I quickly walked around the stalls to see if anything catches my eye. I had a resolution not to spend money on things I don’t need, and luckily, I managed to stick to it.

I recognised some of the vendors from last year’s Plant Festival, but there were also new additions. I feel like last year’s event had more skincare products available, and this year was more focused on garden living. Sure, there were vendors with chocolate bars, candles or spiced tomato juice, but there were also ones selling woven baskets, gardening tools and potted herbs.

Elevenses in the Garden – matcha latte and fruitcake

The weather was nice and I decided to have elevenses at the garden’s cafe. I made a rouge choice and went for a matcha latte and a slice of jewelled fruitcake. I’ve been loving matcha lattes lately, but I’m too lazy to make them at home, even though I have all the necessary supplies. So, if I’m having a hot drink at a cafe, I’ll often go for a matcha latte. The one I had at Chelsea Physic Garden was quite strong – they were generous with the tea powder. Great for a mid-morning pick me up.

I fancied a slice of cake with my drink, but didn’t want a boring one. I decided to go for a slice of fruitcake – something I would never usually go for. To be quite honest, I wasn’t impressed with the cake, it was a bit dry. I should probably stick to the classics in the future!

Another stroll around the Chelsea Physic Garden

Fuelled with the cake and matcha, I had a stroll around the Garden to appreciate its wonders. The small glasshouses are some of my favourites, and they always look stunning in photos too. One of the glasshouses of the Chelsea Physic Garden consists of a handful of smaller rooms joined with a long, tropical hallway filled with exotic plants. For example, there was a vanilla plant climbing on the wall.

I also enjoyed reading about the medicinal properties of some of the plants in the Garden. I never really wondered about the origin of popular medications, assuming they were all produced artificially. It’s intriguing to learn how many commonly used medications come from plants.

Visiting Chelsea Physic Garden during the Plant Festival

I booked my free ticket to the festival around a month and a half in advance. Those tickets usually sell out quickly, so make sure to check the Garden’s website regularly from early March. If you don’t manage to secure a ticket, don’t worry – you should still be able to enter the Garden, they tend to accept walk-ins. You just might need to queue for a little while.

A walk to Battersea Park

After I left the Chelsea Physic Garden, I decided to walk to Battersea Park. It’s one of my favourite parks in London, but I rarely visit it – it’s a long commute from where I live. Since I was already in the neighbourhood, it was a perfect opportunity to have a stroll in Battersea Park. I last visited it for the fireworks display in November, which was amazing. Naturally, though, the park looks much better in the spring, with lush green trees and colourful flowers.

I enjoyed lunch in Battersea Park: some smoked salmon and cream cheese sushi that I had bought in a supermarket. Enjoying tasty food outdoors in good weather is one of my absolute favourite moments in life. I can never get tired of this!

Overall, it was a fun, spring day in London. I’m already making plans for the next few weekends!

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