How Not to Catch the Plague
Location:
Chelsea Physic Garden (The Gallery)
Date & time:
Saturday 27 Sep 2025, 11.00am - 1.00pm
Price:
£20.00
Join us for a historical workshop exploring how herbs were used in the past to prevent plague symptoms and treat other ailments.
About the event
Discover the plants once believed to protect against plague in this hands-on workshop at Chelsea Physic Garden.
From lavender to wormwood, examine the role of herbal medicine in a city repeatedly ravaged by disease, not least during the Great Plague of 1665, just a decade before the Garden was founded.
Learn about the folklore, beliefs and science behind these historical remedies, and create your very own plague-preventing concoction to take home.
Accessibility
Access to the gallery is via a narrow 22-step staircase and unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.
FAQs
Is the Chelsea Physic Garden accessible?Most of the Garden is fully accessible, with the exception of the first floor Gallery at Chelsea Physic Garden which is used only for special events and is only accessible via a narrow 22 step staircase with a handrail.
If you are attending an event and need help please get in touch at enquiries@chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk or call 0207 352 5646.
Bikes (including folding bikes) and scooters are not permitted. There are bike racks located along Royal Hospital Road. These can be used to secure any bikes and scooters.
Please do not secure any bikes or scooters to the railings outside the Royal Hospital Chelsea or Burton Court. Any items secure to these railings will be removed.
Please adhere to the age range specified for events on the listings page and if appropriate please book a ticket for your child. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult approved by the parent/guardian. This person can accompany a maximum of four children per event. Where permitted, any child over the age of two needs their own seat for events.
The event organiser cannot be responsible for unsupervised children.
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