manoah

Yesterday caught the train to London to meet up with my local U3A (University of the Third Age) 'London Explorers' group at Charing Cross.  Twenty-three people turned up (a few who I had met before which was nice!), and we set off on the Bakerloo tube to Regents Park and from there to the Royal College of Physicians.

The Brutalist architecture of the building (designed by Denys Lasdun who also designed the National Theatre on the South Bank) is a stark contrast to the surrounding Regency buildings designed by John Nash (this is not my photo as it was too difficult to get a clear view).


We had a guided tour of the exhibits inside, followed by a tour of their poison garden which was fascinating.  Under the cuts for many photos.

Firstly, the inside of the building with a tiny bit of history (apothecary jars, bloodletting, medical instruments and more!)
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After a break for refreshments, we went outside for the one-hour guided tour around the gardens. Our guide was a retired Paediatric Dermatologist and was very knowledgeable about the uses of medicinal plants and the history of the gardens, as he has written books about them!
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It was a very informative visit, and even though I've been a couple of times before I always learn something new from the volunteer guides around the garden.  If you're interested in the collections at the Royal College of Physicans you can access their catalogues here, and they offer guided tours throughout the year.