Discover Ladywell Physic Garden: A Medicinal Oasis
Since before the 10th century, Ladywell has been a site of worship and medical miracles, renowned for its contributions to community health events. The village derives its name from an ancient miracle well that was believed to cure eye problems, establishing the area as a place of pilgrimage during the medieval era. Throughout history, Ladywell's miraculous waters and abundant fields of wildflowers and medicinal plants have served the local community’s health needs—until the well mysteriously vanished at some point during the nineteenth century.
The Ladywell Physic Garden tells this inspiring story of wonder and wellbeing. Drawing on the tradition of medieval physic gardens, the design is inspired by Ladywell's ancient history and features an exclusive collection of medicinal plants that thrive in erratic weather patterns. Many of these herbal medicine plants continue to grow wild throughout Ladywell and south-east London.
With your support, the garden will be permanently open and accessible to the public from August 2026, located on Ladywell Road at the edge of St Mary's Church on the banks of the River Ravensbourne.
What will the Ladywell Physic Garden look like?
The Ladywell Physic Garden was designed by Joao Teixeira Afonso and David Congram to evoke the medieval history of Ladywell and the development of herbal medicine in the United Kingdom – a fascinating aspect of British cultural identity. This garden not only showcases various medicinal plants but also serves as a gathering place for community health events that celebrate the local flora and its benefits.
Alongside many native and naturalised plant species, the various beds will be bursting with colour: blues and purples which evoke the area's watery past, while pinks and yellows reflect the spirit of the vibrant local community. Soft white and golden tones link the beds and carry the garden through its various guises across the seasons.
The centrepiece – a beautiful mature Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) and its abundant deep-purple flowers (pictured above) – fills the air with its delicate fragrance, attracting pollinators and providing food and shelter for the area's birdlife. Under its shade, sculptures by artist Lucy Page bring the history of the area into focus, with repurposed antique well bucket planters giving a gentle nod to the area's once-famed miracle well.
Who is the Ladywell Physic Garden for?
Health and wellbeing should be accessible to everyone, and the Ladywell Physic Garden takes pride in being an open-access space for all members of the public. Alongside the stunning displays of medicinal plants, local herbalist Joao Teixeira Afonso, founder of Herbal Symbiosis, will present an ongoing series of free community health events focused on health and the art of making and taking herbal medicine. With botanical illustrations by Mateo Costa and engaging design visuals by Dimitra Dimitriou, these events are crafted to be informative and enjoyable for individuals of all ages.