Most classes are held in the Gallery, the upstairs lecture room at the Chelsea Physic Garden, which gives students the rare privilege of direct access to the rich plant life within this garden. Although historic, this garden continues to develop – three recent areas being the Useful and Edible Garden, the Superfoods garden and the new Garden of Medicinal Herbs.

Other practical sessions are given at Sandhill Farm House, near Petersfield, the home of Principal Rosemary Alexander. Featured in many magazines, this garden is a series of different spaces with varied and unusual planting. Diploma course students have the chance to experiment with pruning roses and shrubs, taking cuttings and seed sowing, training climbers, planting bulbs and other seasonal tasks, working alongside Rosemary and other tutors, days which they regard as a unique and practical aspect of their time at the School.