There’s a fever-curing bark and a flower to fix a broken heart, roots that whisper and herbs for good dreams. All in our curious plant patch.
What stories will you find underneath the soil? Step inside our wondrous indoor garden where plants whisper, herbs heal, and folklore comes to life! Today, people can forget that much of what makes us feel better has its roots in the garden. Even some medicines that you use all the time were once plants that you can see on your street. Join us as we share long-forgotten tales of plant magic and medicine, from cunning folk in the community to forward-thinking women at the forefront of science.
Our latest hands-on gallery space is designed for families of all ages to play and explore together. Wander through a tactile landscape filled with oversized plants, discover hidden networks beneath the soil and curl up in cosy spaces. Alongside a storytelling plant pot, a magical apothecary table and an oversized forest of flowers, Where Magic Grows, created in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society, features star objects from Thackray’s vast collections. At its centre is a rare, hand-coloured copy of the 250-year-old A Curious Herbal by Elizabeth Blackwell – representing both a major achievement in botanical illustration and a powerful example of women’s contribution to medicine, and one of only around 100 copies that have been located throughout the world.
Stir up your own herbal remedies and explore the curious properties of plants as we invite you to relax, look closer and rediscover the healing power of the outdoors. What will you uncover in the undergrowth?
Where Magic Grows is co-produced with five young curators and created by artist Helen Brook. This exhibition is in collaboration with the RHS, the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow.
Supported by
Type of event: Exhibition , Family
