Chelsea Physic Garden

This charming oasis offers a peaceful retreat from busy city life. It occupies four acres of land perched along the Thames and was first established by the Apothecaries to grow medicinal plants. Their collection of plants is among the largest and most diverse in the world, including around 4,000 different kinds. The garden has a warm microclimate, allowing rare and endangered species to flourish. It also houses glasshouses that are over a hundred years old, meaning gardeners have been able to cultivate exotic species for more than 300 years. There's also a café with a covered terrace.