Enhanced ‘Medicinal Garden’ boosts RCP’s outdoor events

Though the summer still has some way to go, the Royal College of Physicians has already achieved its highest ever level of business from outdoor events. Its offering has been boosted by enhancements to its unique ‘medicinal garden’, which is an increasingly popular base for events such as receptions and barbecues, and is the largest garden of its type in the country.

Earlier in the year, the RCP launched a range of summer event packages to capitalise on the attractions of the garden, which, though a few yards from the bustling Regent’s Park, provides a serene and secluded location. Customers so far this year range from an international bank to a legal organisation for women.

The garden includes over a thousand historic medicinal plants - including some extremely ancient ones that thrived before the era of the dinosaurs - that were used in various cultures including North America, the Orient, Central Asia and the southern hemisphere. It was founded in 2005 and the latest enhancements include eight new garden beds of plants used in English medicine 400 years ago. For their events, customer organisations regularly request guided tours by the College’s Garden Fellow, Dr. Henry Oakeley, an eloquent and amusing authority on medicinal plants and their applications.

The garden is a significant element of the conference and events portfolio of the Royal College of Physicians. “Some of our clients make the garden the exclusive base for events such as barbecues, others use it for pre-event receptions before moving into one of our main conference suites or lecture theatres,” said Clive Ostler, General Manager, Marketing & Facilities at the RCP: “Either way, it’s a genuinely unique location that at the same time is vibrantly alive yet peaceful and private.” The garden is also popular with conference and meeting delegates looking for a short break from their event inside the College.

The RCP has also developed a number of additional methods of helping visitors to access and understand exhibits in the garden. Dr Oakeley, who is also President of the Orchid Society of Great Britain, conducts tours on the first Wednesday of each month from February to October, as well as tours for groups and organisations by prior arrangement. In addition, this year the College has produced two unique plant ‘trails’ to mark the 350^th anniversary of one of London’s greatest figures, Sir Hans Sloane, a great medical innovator who was President of the College from 1719. Supported by explanatory leaflets, the trails highlight plants which Sir Hans found in his travels or recommended in medicinal practice.

Further information about remaining availability this year for events in the medicinal garden is available from the Royal College of Physicians Conference Office on 020 7034 4900, email events@rcplondon.ac.uk. Its website is www.rcpevents.co.uk.

More details about Dr Oakeley’s garden tours are available on the general Royal College of Physicians website, www.rcplondon.ac.uk/garden.

Notes for editors

The Royal College of Physicians is an award-winning Grade 1 listed modernist building overlooking Regent’s Park in Central London. Its purpose designed conference facilities include lecture theatres, modern and historic meeting and seminar rooms, and a versatile range of exhibition spaces and dining facilities.

Events are enhanced by the unique heritage of the College: its treasures include manuscripts from the 12th Century, some of the earliest printed books; paintings and sculptures by major artists including Joshua Reynolds, Zoffany and Annigoni; a magnificent silver collection; and a unique collection of medical artefacts. Special tours and exhibits can be arranged. The College also has the UK’s largest medicinal garden.

The revenue generated by the RCP Conference Centre helps to fund the College’s many significant activities in improving the quality of healthcare.

Further information

MGK Communications            

Michael Kennedy                    

0121 605 4048

michaelkennedy@talk21.com

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