Botanist Nicholas Culpeper would be well chuffed with the pub in Whitechapel named after him which has won an award for its herbal rooftop garden.

East London Advertiser: The roof garden of the Culpeper in Commercial Street where customers can grow their own produce. Picture source: Ei GroupThe roof garden of the Culpeper in Commercial Street where customers can grow their own produce. Picture source: Ei Group (Image: Ei Group)

The aristocratic 17th century apothecary, physician and astrologer was the inspiration for the Culpeper boozer in Commercial Street which has won an award for its garden featuring pots of edible plants and a greenhouse where regulars grow their own produce all year round.

The pub has been voted London winner of the ‘best outdoor area’ at Ei Group pub chain’s inaugural awards for using its rooftop space to grow herbs and vegetables used in its food and cocktails.

“It’s the best use of outdoor space,” Ei Group chief Simon Townsend said. “The Culpeper has made the most of a space that many pubs wouldn’t even consider using, turning it into a popular feature that has practical uses.”

The Culpeper, run by publicans Nico Treguer and Gareth Thomas, also has rooftop astronomy nights, sessions on how to create an urban vegetable plot and how to preserve and pickle vegetables and has an area for compost leftovers to reduce waste.

It also works with local groups and charities, showing how to grow edible gardens with sustainable values.