Medicinal Plant Afternoon: When Britain ruled the waves

The Royal College of Physicians is home to one of London’s hidden botanical treasures: a medicinal garden of more than 50 years standing featuring over 1,300 plants.

This summer a series of afternoon lectures and garden tours reveals the rich heritage of horticulture and healthcare. The second event provides a fascinating view of the relationship between botany and Britain’s imperial past. An expanding Empire led to an explosion in available plant varieties and made clear herbal aphrodisiacs were a global phenomenon.

In addition to the talks there’s an exploration of the garden led by Fellows of the College and tea.

Whether your pass time is gardening, your profession medicine, your passion history or a combination of any of the above, a few hours in the splendid surroundings of the Royal College of Physicians’ medicinal garden in the company of our experts makes for the perfect summer afternoon.