Plan your session visit
Book a school visit to the Garden for educational programmes and activities tailored to various age groups. Our staff will help make your visit smooth and memorable.
How to get here
Public Transport
Nearest tube station- Sloane Square on Circle/District Line (15 min. walk)
170 bus from Victoria Station stops outside Chelsea Physic Garden Learning department entrance (15 min. bus ride from Victoria)
Check our Getting Here page for planning your route.
Arrival at the Garden
Address: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4HS
Please enter via the “Education” entrance on Royal Hospital Road (Green door behind bus stop on Royal Hospital Road) Google maps link to entrance door
Ring the buzzer and a member of the Learning team will come and welcome you.
Coach/minibus drop off
Please be aware, there are no parking facilities at the Garden. There is drop off space in front of entrance, but nearest parking facilities are Battersea Park Car Park (20 min. walk)
On site
Before/after your session
Gardeners are busy at work until we open, so please arrive as close to 10am as possible. You may be able to spend extra time in the Garden before/after your visit, at the discretion of the Learning department.
Lunch space
Our classroom can be booked as lunch space (up to 1 hr) and must be booked in advance (£20.00 extra). Groups are also welcome to eat packed lunches on our lower lawn/on benches.
Coach/minibus drop off
We want to ensure as many school pupils have the opportunity to explore the natural world as possible. Schools with over 20% of students Eligible for Free School Meals can apply for a 50% discount on the price a school visit. Once you have made an enquiry you can apply.
theaccessproject.org.uk
Adult to Child Ratios
You must have the correct ratios of adults to pupils:
SEN 1:1 EYFS 1:4 KS1 1:5 KS2 1:8
KS3 1:10 KS4/5 1:12
Health & Safety
The muster point (Hans Sloane statue in centre of Garden) and nearest fire exits are shown at the beginning of the session.
Please be aware we have poisonous plants in the Garden. Our session leader will ensure pupils don’t touch anything without checking it’s safe. Please ensure hands are washed before eating. Hand washing facilities are available in the classroom.
Self-Led Visits
If you plan to bring your class here for a self-led visit, whether with a Chelsea Physic Garden Self-led activity or for independent study please book with us in advance.
If you have planned a self-led visit please come via the Main Entrance 66 Royal Hospital Road, and your resource will be with reception. If you would like to have a picnic or book a lunch space please read the information below.
FAQs
Please enter via the “Education” entrance on Royal Hospital Road (Green door behind bus stop on Royal Hospital Road – see below). Ring the buzzer and a member of the Learning team will come and welcome you.
Our Risk Assessment guide can be found here. Please note this guide is to enable you to perform your own risk assessment. Teachers may visit for a free site visit beforehand (Please contact Learning to arrange).
We have adapted our sessions to be mostly outside, so please dress appropriately! Belongings can be left in the classroom (Shelves for bags and coat hooks). We provide clipboards, but please bring pens/pencils (we can provide if necessary).
Our policy is to open and run sessions, unless dangerous to do so. The Garden has a high winds policy and will close if wind speed reaches a certain limit. We will contact you if the Garden needs to close due to Health & Safety concerns. Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds on cancellations of less than four weeks’ notice.