New Director and Curator - Sue Medway The Trustees of Chelsea Physic Garden are delighted to welcome Mrs. Sue Medway as the new Director and Curator of the Physic Garden. She took up her new position at the beginning of September 2014 following the retirement of the out-going curator Christopher Bailes.
Sue Medway joins the Garden following success at the Design Museum, where she was both Operations and Commercial Director. She has also had a long career working at some of the National Trust’s best known properties where she trained in conservation of historic contents working in properties such as Uppark and Chartwell. She managed to combine this with her love of gardens to take on the management of various properties including Sheffield Park garden and estate, Stowe and Sissinghurst Castle garden.
Commenting on her appointment, Sue said: “One has few opportunities in life to be able to combine an interest with one’s work. I have been in the fortunate position of being able to satisfy my personal interest in historic gardens and plants with a role that I find deeply rewarding. I feel privileged and excited to be joining Chelsea Physic Garden now, its rich history, the loyalty of its visitors, the staff and the volunteers mean that it has a well-deserved place in everyone’s affection. The challenge for the next few years is to ensure that the welcome we provide and the facilities here match its reputation as one of the leading botanic gardens in the world.”
Chelsea Physic Garden is an independent charity committed to the conservation of plants and to the demonstration to people of the importance of them in all our lives.
Situated in the heart of London, the Garden has a unique living collection of around 5,000 different edible, useful, medicinal and historical plants. This ‘hidden gem’ is also a peaceful green oasis in which to enjoy a relaxing stroll and lunch or afternoon tea at the Tangerine Dream Café.
The Garden’s warm microclimate means that many tender plants can flourish including a number of rare and endangered species. It has the largest outdoor fruiting olive tree in Britain and the world’s most northerly outdoor grapefruit tree. From pomegranates to gingkos, mulberries to eucalyptus, there are over 100 different types of tree in the Garden, many of which are rare in Britain. The glasshouses hold a collection of tropical and sub-tropical species, complemented by a Victorian Cool Fernery.
Chelsea Physic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in London and was founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries for the purpose of training apprentices in identifying plants. It subsequently became one of the most important centres of botany and plant exchange in the world.
Location
Chelsea Physic Garden
66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS
Tel. +44(0)20 7352 5646
www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk - for events etc.
Opening times 2014
From 1 April until 31 October
Tuesday to Friday and Sunday/Bank Holidays 11am - 6pm
Late openings:
Late Nights on Wednesdays from 2 July - 3 September, 11am - 10pm
Admission (including free guided or audio tour)
£9.90: adults (including seniors)
£6.60: students (with student cards); children 5-15 years (with full supervision)
£8.80: pre-booked groups of 8 or more
Free to Friends of the Garden (annual single membership for 2014 £40)
Expert guides lead free tours of the Garden.
Free audio guides are also available for visitors wishing to tour the Garden independently.
Access:
The Garden is wheelchair accessible.
Disabled access via 66 Royal Hospital Road.
Shop:
The Chelsea Physic Garden Shop is open during public opening hours offering botanical books, plants and seeds from the Garden, as well as gifts, such as toys, cards, homemade soaps and chocolate, inspired by the Garden and its collections.
Café :
The Tangerine Dream Café is open during public opening hours serving delicious homemade food and drinks and is fully licensed.
Venue Hire
Chelsea Physic Garden is an ideal venue for wedding and corporate parties. The central lawn accommodates a marquee holding up to 250 seated/400 standing. A fully serviced lecture room, The Gallery, accommodates up to 70 for meetings or private functions.
How to get there
Chelsea Physic Garden is easily accessible by public transport.
Visitor entrance is via Swan Walk Gate.
Underground stations: Sloane Square (District & Circle Lines), South Kensington (Piccadilly, District & Circle Lines).
Mainline trains to Victoria & Clapham Junction and 170 Bus, alight at Chelsea Physic Garden.
Also Buses 11, 19, 22, 137, 211, 319, 360 & C1 stop nearby.
