Visitors to London can stay in some wonderful luxury hotels and see a number of very famous attractions, whether it is the London Eye, Trafalgar Square, the West End with its theatres and shopping or the capital’s many famous sporting arenas. However, there are many things to see and do that may not make it to the top of the average visitor itinerary, yet are still hugely enjoyable, refreshing, enlightening or relaxing. The Chelsea Physic Garden is one such place, a beautiful walled garden founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries as a place to grow plants with medicinal qualities.
It is well worth visiting at any time, but as the festive season approaches it will be holding its own Christmas Fair on the weekend of November 28th-29th. Entry is by advance ticket, which costs £6 per adult, while under-16s are admitted free. The event will be a superb celebration, in which visitors are greeted with the sweet smell of mulled wine as they walk in through the gate. Inside, there will be a large marquee tent with 90 stallholders, selling a wide array of plants, gifts and artisan food and drink products. Among the wares on sale is the array of Christmas wreaths created by the Growing Friends and Volunteers of Chelsea Physic Garden. This means there will be some great opportunities to enjoy shopping for some decorations and presents, as well as enjoying some delicious food and drink, ranging from snacks to meals served up by the Tangerine Dream Cafe.
Families can also enjoy some crafty fun by making their own cards and decorations. To add to the atmosphere, there will be a children’s choir from Music’all singing jazz-style Christmas songs from 11:30, while string quartet New English Rose will be performing both modern and traditional Christmas tunes between 11.30 and 14:00 on the Sunday.All the money raised will go towards the upkeep of the garden, helping to go on supporting this great piece of London heritage.
