Chelsea Physic Gardens

Looking for something more earthy to do with the kids in Central London? Check out the Chelsea Physic Gardens – Britain’s second oldest botanical garden, est. 1673 - which reopens in February in time for half term.

There will be snowdrops guaranteed: the garden’s special Snowdrop extravaganza runs from the 8 -16 Feb, with a host of different varieties to track down on a Snowdrop Trail  throughout the garden – also on display in a special theatre if you want to see them all in one go. For the horticulturally inclined, there will also be a selection of these unusual genera, plus other winter flowering plants, available to buy.

The whole experience of the gardens is somehow very good for the soul. We're sure the plants manage to extend their healing properties into the air that you breathe there.

The garden’s Family Day workshops for children are brilliant. Chocolate Tuesday (ages 7+) on Tuesday 18 February is an odyssey into the history and science of the world’s favourite sweet (with tasting opportunities of course). Creepy Crawling (ages 4+) on Wednesday 19 February is a chance to learn about – and even hold – a menagerie of real life marvellous minibeasts. Lotions & Potions: an introduction to Herbal Medicine on Thursday 20 February (ages 7+) is a kids’ course in ointment-making and the medicinal uses of plants – with the chance to take home scent-bags and your own mini herb garden. Workshops run from 10:30 - 2:30 (except Creepy Crawling - ends at 12:00) and pre-booking is essential.

And essential for happy times: the Tangerine Dream café is lovely with mugs of warm stew and mulled wine, as well as proper big pots of tea and delicious cake.

Tickets for adults and senior citizens are £9.90, while children, students and unemployed people get in for £6.60.