Many people would be surprised to learn that there is a small part of West London, not far from the Albert Bridge, where you can stroll through gardens that have changed little during the past three centuries. Here you can see a grade II* listed rockery, the oldest in Europe, and the UK's largest olive tree.
The four acre plot, within the Manor of Chelsea, belonged to one Charles Cheyne. He allowed the Society to lease the land and develop it into a medicinal garden, making it the second oldest botanical garden in Britain. The area was doubtlessly chosen for its south facing aspect and proximity to the river, both conducive to the temperate microclimate which it still enjoys today. In addition, they were able to build a boathouse for their ceremonial barge.
One of the first Curators was John Watts, and it was he who in 1682 devised the seed exchange programme with other leading botanists, an exchange which still goes on today. Possibly the most celebrated of all these transactions was the sending of the first long-strand cotton seeds to the British Colony of Georgia in 1733, laying the foundation of the American cotton industry.
In 1712 Charles Cheyne sold his estate to Dr Hans Sloane, the noted physician and collector whose extensive assortment of curiosities would one day be left to the nation as the basis of the British Museum. Sloane, himself, had studied at the Physic Garden in his youth, and became concerned when he saw the Apothecaries' difficulties in maintaining their tenure. In 1722 he guaranteed them a permanent lease for the fixed amount of five pounds per year, an arrangement which is still ongoing.
That same year he appointed acclaimed botanist Philip Miller as Gardener (Curator). It was under this gifted individual's stewardship that the botanical garden rose in prestige to become a world famous site. The seed exchange thrived, not least because Miller was extraordinarily successful in cultivating plants never before grown in Britain. He was generous too in passing on his knowledge to the young men who came to study.
One such student was Joseph Banks, naturalist and explorer, who later brought back to Chelsea the ballast of Icelandic lava that was used on his ship, the St Lawrence. This helped build the famous rock garden, first of its kind in Europe, that was completed in 1773. Many of the plant specimens collected on his voyage of discovery with James Cook on the Endeavour were also donated to the Physic Garden.
Following the reforms of the Medical Act of 1886, botany ceased to be part of the student medical curriculum and examinations were discontinued. In 1901 the Society of Apothecaries gave up the lease on the Chelsea Physic Garden, the City Parochial Foundation taking it over. Although still used for research, its fortunes declined and it became a registered charity in 1983.
The British have always had a special relationship with nature, to the extent that we appreciate it wherever it may spring up. Such is the case with the Chelsea Physic Garden which has now become a popular London attraction.
The four acre plot, within the Manor of Chelsea, belonged to one Charles Cheyne. He allowed the Society to lease the land and develop it into a medicinal garden, making it the second oldest botanical garden in Britain. The area was doubtlessly chosen for its south facing aspect and proximity to the river, both conducive to the temperate microclimate which it still enjoys today. In addition, they were able to build a boathouse for their ceremonial barge.
One of the first Curators was John Watts, and it was he who in 1682 devised the seed exchange programme with other leading botanists, an exchange which still goes on today. Possibly the most celebrated of all these transactions was the sending of the first long-strand cotton seeds to the British Colony of Georgia in 1733, laying the foundation of the American cotton industry.
In 1712 Charles Cheyne sold his estate to Dr Hans Sloane, the noted physician and collector whose extensive assortment of curiosities would one day be left to the nation as the basis of the British Museum. Sloane, himself, had studied at the Physic Garden in his youth, and became concerned when he saw the Apothecaries' difficulties in maintaining their tenure. In 1722 he guaranteed them a permanent lease for the fixed amount of five pounds per year, an arrangement which is still ongoing.
That same year he appointed acclaimed botanist Philip Miller as Gardener (Curator). It was under this gifted individual's stewardship that the botanical garden rose in prestige to become a world famous site. The seed exchange thrived, not least because Miller was extraordinarily successful in cultivating plants never before grown in Britain. He was generous too in passing on his knowledge to the young men who came to study.
One such student was Joseph Banks, naturalist and explorer, who later brought back to Chelsea the ballast of Icelandic lava that was used on his ship, the St Lawrence. This helped build the famous rock garden, first of its kind in Europe, that was completed in 1773. Many of the plant specimens collected on his voyage of discovery with James Cook on the Endeavour were also donated to the Physic Garden.
Following the reforms of the Medical Act of 1886, botany ceased to be part of the student medical curriculum and examinations were discontinued. In 1901 the Society of Apothecaries gave up the lease on the Chelsea Physic Garden, the City Parochial Foundation taking it over. Although still used for research, its fortunes declined and it became a registered charity in 1983.
The British have always had a special relationship with nature, to the extent that we appreciate it wherever it may spring up. Such is the case with the Chelsea Physic Garden which has now become a popular London attraction.
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