South London Botanical Institute

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South London Botanical Institute

Botanical Institute, library, herbarium and garden. Members, botanists and visitors can relax in the lovely botanic garden.

Collections of ferns, wild flowers, medieval and modern medicinal plants, carnivorous and poisonous plants ensure there is always something new to see and be inspired by. In the peace of the library students of all ages have explored their own plant passion, researching insect pollination, early agriculture in Britain, plant distribution or south London's ecology. A large collection of pressed and

dried plants, lichens, bryophytes, algae and fungi from Britain and europe are kept in our herbarium, maintained by a group of volunteers.

18/06/2026

🌷Ever wondered what a plant-centred future could look like?🌷

This immersive co-learning research workshop led by the SLBI in collaboration with Queen Mary University of London’s project ‘Rewilding Imagination for Sustainable Futures’ invites you to imagine a plant-centred future.

Join us for a workshop where we will explore weeds and elements of nature recording as a practical way to imagine plants as co-participants. What might a plant-centred future need from us? How could it impact our individual, community and organisational practices?

🗓Thursday 9th July
🕢4pm-6pm
The South London Botanical Institute, 323 Norwood Road, SE24 9AQ

Free. Booking necessary. Places limited.

Visit our website to find out more: https://www.slbi.org.uk/event/botany-for-plant-futures/

Accessibility
Our building entrance is not wheelchair accessible but does have an entrance with a single step. The workshop takes place on the ground floor and there are not stairs once inside. We have a hearing loop and if you need this to support access please let us know. If you have any other access needs please get in touch at [email protected]

12/06/2026

🌴☀️Start off your summer relaxing in London’s smallest botanical garden! ☀️🌴

Immerse yourself in the AMAZING world of plants at our open evening in the garden. Enjoy refreshments as you relax surrounded by nature and learn simple tools to help observe and discover common plants in bloom this June.

Thursday 25th June
5:30pm-7:30pm

Everyone is welcome and you do not have to book. Donations welcome.

Visit our website https://www.slbi.org.uk/events/ to find out more and to see our other upcoming events

If you have any access needs please contact [email protected]

04/06/2026

🌿Looking for something to do this weekend? 🌿

Come along to our open house and gardens event in support of the National Garden Scheme!

Explore and relax in London's smallest botanical garden enjoying the diverse and beautiful plants. Browse the botanical library and take part in plant activities for all ages.

💡This open open day we will be selling some vintage microscopes and light fittings!💡

You do not need to book for this event. Entry by donation.

To find out more and see our other upcoming events visit our website. https://www.slbi.org.uk/events/

Access
The building is not wheelchair accessible. If you have any access needs, please contact [email protected]

02/06/2026

🌿Want to know more about grasses? 🌿

The SLBI and Dr Maria (bat) Vorontsova welcome you inside Kew's Research Laboratory to explore the world of grasses!

Together with Maria 'Bat' Vorontsova, Kew researcher and grass expert, you will explore the identifying features of grasses under microscopes and learn to recognise a variety of grasses common to the UK. Also, get the chance to explore the grasses at Kew with a tour of the grass garden!

🗓️ Friday 12th June 2026
🕑 2pm - 4pm
🎫£8
📍 Kew Jodrell Laboratory,
Jodrell Gate, Kew Road
Kew, Richmond,
London,
TW9 3AE

Visit our website to find out more: https://www.slbi.org.uk/event/grasses-under-the-microscope/

29/05/2026

🌿You are invited to our open house and gardens event in support of the National Garden Scheme🌿

Explore and relax in London's smallest botanical garden enjoying the diverse and beautiful plants. Browse the botanical library and take part in plant activities for all ages.

The SLBI has been here for more than 110 years and continues it's original aim: to promote curiosity and knowledge about plants among local people.

You do not need to book for this event. Entry by donation.

To find out more and see our other upcoming event visit our website. https://www.slbi.org.uk/events/

Access
The building is not wheelchair accessible. If you have any access needs, please contact [email protected]

26/05/2026

🌷🌸Take a look at a few of the plants in our garden that have been looking amazing this May. The garden has definitely been having a purply pink moment!🌸🌷

This month our appreciation of purple flowers in the garden is not just an aesthetic pleasure, but also a glimpse into a fascinating, hidden world of pollinator science. These blue toned flowers are a favourite of bees, acting as a vibrant signal for nectar due to their unique reliance on ultraviolet vision.

1.Wisteria sinesis ‘Chinese wisteria’
2.Allium Stipitatum ‘Persian shallot’
3.Phlomis italica ‘Balearic Island sage’
4.Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Columbine’

🌿Come along to one of our open days to see our amazing garden and discover all of our different plants🌿

Our next open events are:
Thursday 28th May 17:30-19:30
Sunday 7th June 14:00-17:00

Visit our website to find out more and to see our other upcoming events! https://www.slbi.org.uk/events/

24/05/2026

🌷Continue the bank holiday vibes and get ready to explore the wonders of nature. Immerse yourself in the incredible world of plants at our open evening.🌷

✨Enjoy refreshments as you relax in our spring garden and discover more about the world of plants through our captivating activities.✨

🗓 Thursday 28th May
🕢 17:30-19:30

Visit our website https://www.slbi.org.uk/events/ to find out more and to see our other upcoming events

Everyone is welcome and you do not have to book.

If you have any access needs please contact [email protected]

22/05/2026

🌿Host your event at the SLBI!🌿

We’re happy to announce that having refreshed our spaces and brought in new projection, conferencing and accessibility equipment, we’re open to host your events.

Workshops, discussions, screenings, retreats, celebrations and more – the SLBI is open to you. We’ve been hosting events in South London for years, and are excited to work with you to make sure you can make the most out of our unique building and garden.

Please get in touch for questions and bookings: https://www.slbi.org.uk/visiting/

20/05/2026

🌿Only a few spaces left! Don't miss your chance to discover the incredible world of pavement plants🌿

Our upcoming 3 part course led by Amanda Tuke (ecologist, botanist and nature-writer) will support and empower you in a fun and collaborative way to learn about how to identify urban wild flowers.

The 3 sessions will take place on:
Thursday 4th June 6:30-8:30pm
Thursday 11th June 6:30-8:30pm
Thursday 18th June 6:30-8:30pm

The course is suitable for beginners. Each session will include outdoor work as you will explore the streets surrounding the SLBI to discover the plants which grow locally.

Visit our website to find out more: https://www.slbi.org.uk/event/identifying-pavement-plants-botany-for-beginners/

Access
The building is not wheelchair accessible, if you have any access needs, please contact [email protected]

Payment
if you would like to pay in two instalments please contact [email protected] to discuss.

14/05/2026

🌱Do you want to know more about grasses?🌱

Join the SLBI at the Woodfield Community Orchard on the 5th June from 1-3pm for an engaging identification workshop. Grass taxonomist Dr Maria (Bat) Vorontsova will teach you how to recognise different UK grasses.

🗓Friday 5th June 1pm-3pm

📍The Woodfield Pavilion
Woodfield Recreation Ground
Tooting Bec Common
16a Abbotswood Road
Streatham, London SW16 1AP

🎟£8

To find out more visit our website: https://www.slbi.org.uk/event/grasses-identification-workshop/

Address

323 Norwood Road
London
SE249AQ

Telephone

+442086745787

Website

http://www.slbi.org.uk/

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