The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret

Now it’s my favourite museum in London. The atmosphere is really good and it feels like I went to the past. I’m also really interested in medicine and I found out interesting things there. And the small shop with biology themed plushie toys was nice. I also bought a pen that looks like a bone and a book.

The Old Operating Theatre is a compact museum, but fascinating. As someone interested in medical technology, I couldn’t resist visiting, and it didn’t disappoint. The space is wonderfully preserved and gives a vivid glimpse into how surgery was practiced long before modern equipment and techniques. Gruesome as well :-/ The exhibits are nice, the atmosphere is unique in this small building, and the staff are knowledgeable and kind. It doesn't take long to walk through, but every corner has something intriguing to see. A great stop for anyone curious about the roots of medical innovation.

I liked the stuff here a lot and the restored operating theater was great with its interactive parts. There IS wheelchair access! There is a single person lift, but if you don't know about it, you'll miss out! It looked like they had a camera view just outside the door to the museum and that they will send someone down if they spot wheelchairs there. Otherwise, there is this tiny, narrow, twisted, spiral staircase.

The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret is an unforgettable stop for anyone interested in the history of medicine. The preserved surgical theatre and historical instruments create an atmosphere that encourages reflection on how far our profession has come. As a practicing surgeon and educator, I found it especially meaningful—seeing firsthand the conditions of pre-anesthesia and pre-antisepsis surgery adds powerful context to the principles we teach today. For any doctor, particularly those in surgery, this museum is a must-visit when in London.

You could easily miss this museum as I had walked by it many times and never realised it was there. The staircase to enter is not for the faint of heart but it leads to a treasure trove of history. Staff are so informative. There was even an autumn trail for younger visitors to follow around the museum.

Small but fascinating museum. I bought my ticket upon arrival. It's located at the top of a building that requires you to climb a nearly vertical spiral staircase, so not accessible unfortunately. Even though it's not very big it has a ton to see. A word of warning, there is some mild gore and vivid descriptions about surgical procedures, so be forewarned if you're squeamish about that sort of thing. Otherwise I would highly recommend. Seeing all the old medicine made it worthwhile for me.

I really enjoyed this small yet beautifully preserved museum. Although some of the exhibits were a little unsettling (the early surgical instruments and images were genuinely quite frightening 🫣), they were presented in great depth and vividly illustrated the hardships and perseverance behind the early development of medicine. It was both fascinating and thought-provoking. One thing to note is that the staircase inside the museum is very steep and “endless”😄, so it may not be suitable for visitors with limited mobility. During my visit, there was a staff member giving live demonstrations and explanations about leech and the making of herbal sachets. I even had the chance to make a small sachet myself and took it home as a souvenir, which made the experience all the more memorable.

It’s only £9 but the collection and information is truly fascinating!!! I really feel like I learned a lot, and the experience made me think a lot on how medical services were provided to the people back in the time. I would recommend it to people who are interested in these subjects and I would definitely revisit in the future.✨(I stayed for almost 3 hours!)

I love, and I mean LOVE, a medical history museum! Because folks...they aren't all well-known, but they aren't unusual to find. And you should definitely seek one out, if there is one in a city you are visiting. They tend to be small, but also the most interactive types of educational museums spaces. The Old Operating Theatre and Herb Garret is not open everyday (unlike what Yelp says), which makes sense for the size and type of place. Despite it's location near Borough Market and the large London Bridge metro station, it seems it is small enough...far enough off the main drag...and with the smallest little sign indicating it's location...that it has weekend-only hours. Sort of....long weekend....Thursday - Sunday 10:30am -5pm. These are the days and hours as they appear on google AND the museum's own website. So be aware. The actual museum is in the attic of the building that houses it, and requires an ability to go up several stories worth of a very narrow spiral staircase. It is not accessible, and there are no toilet facilities on site. So be aware. I appreciate the stair-traffic-control they do, with alternating red and green lights on the top and bottom so you know when you can go in whatever direction without a mid-spiral traffic jam. Upon paying for entrance, you get a scratch card with a person's illustration on it, and you scratch off a series of information bits as you go through the museum and see their icon. Love it! And there are different ones, so if you have a couple people in a group, you'll learn about different people! There is a children's area with coloring pages and interactive parts... It is all really just....so cool. You should go and experience it, if you have the physical capacity to get yourself to the entrance. I don't want to spill too much of what you will see there....but loads of history along with historical medical instruments, an operating theater, and other various medical-adjacent and old time-y pharmaceutical-y things...it's...fantastic. Well worth your time and money and some fun souvenirs, should you be in to that as well. Highly recommend!

I found this on a Pinterest post about weird/unique attractions in London, and it did not disappoint. I've worked in hospitals for ten years so all of this was extra-interesting to me. The museum is small but filled with surgical instruments, herbs and tinctures, and historical items. And, potentially, a ghost or two. A few quick notes: -This is not wheelchair-accessible. You must climb a very steep stairwell to get into the exhibit, and there are several steps within the theatre itself. -Admission is covered with the London Pass. -The gift shop is great and has all kinds of oddball medical memorabilia and books.

Absolutely love this hidden gem!! It's a must visit for anyone who is studying or in the healthcare profession, or enjoys the history of medicine. The exhibit packs a lot in its small attic space, I easily spent 2-3 hours reading everything. You can complete the scavenger hunt as an adult (ha) and win a complimentary prize. I included a few photos to show some of the impressive displays. Went during Christmas time, you'll find some festive decor. If I could give it 4 1/2 stars I would because it's not accessible for anyone who cannot climb the spiral staircase up. There are tours that need to be reserved in advance, unfortunately we went last minute and could not join the show for the operating theater. You were still able to see everything, I would definitely come back next time I visit London

I visited for a talk on old time medical charlatans, who would claim things such as giving birth to rabbits. It was a very fascinating and fun talk, which took place in the operating theater. Although built for standing, you can easily sit comfortably as well. They host many events in here, and even a few movie nights, which I hope to return to. The exhibit area outside the theatre room is absolutely amazing! From the actual construction of the room (high peaked ceiling made from timber) to the medical artifacts on display. You'll definitely leave happy to not have been born in the times of these medical devices. The women working here were so friendly and full of knowledge, be sure to ask them loads of questions!

There's something special about this place. Tucked away on the other side of Guys Hospital. It is a remainder of the old St. Thomas' Hospital that was moved for the building of London Bridge Station. You have to walk up a spiral staircase to get there. Don't worry they didn't have to take patients up this staircase to get to the Operating Room. The old entrance is gone and they now use the bell Tower of the next door church. There is a section of the attic dedicated to the old medicines that used to be used. From a recipe called Snailwater, a treatment for Venereal Disease, to the Rules of St. Thomas' Hospital to a cabinate of animals that used to be used in medicine. Then there is the Old Operating Theatre, which has seats because students and doctors used to observe the operations. It is an amazing part of history which volunteers keep alive. You can hire out the place or just turn up and go on your own.

This was a great hour or so spent after a visit to borough market and hays galleria. Compared with other museums and exhibitions which charge this is relatively cheap (granted quite small) at £6 entry and also with discount if you are a national trust member One room in the ceiling full of old instrument, medicines and interesting facts as well as the old operating theatre where they also do talks and 'demonstrations' which was very interesting! Highly recommend!

Up a narrow, steep and winding staircase made of ageing wood that is just slippery enough to leave you in constant fear you'll slip and break your legs (even though you won't in the end) lies a place where time has stood still since the 17th century. Perfectly suited to its antiquated name, the Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret is cavernous and modestly sized but decorated in breathtaking detail; where varnished skeletons, brains and internal organs pickled in formaldehyde sit in elevated boxes next to formidable looking syringes and other medical equipment. This museum hosts a collection of curious things: models of dead animals, bottles of things that look like they could be faintly poisonous vegetables that have gone stale decades ago but have been preserved, the shells of crustaceans and dried greenery weaving along cracked wooden beams. They've gone all out on the death theme: skulls litter shaded corners and sit atop tables there's even a section of the museum that has two mannequins wearing formal dress in a solemn pose, standing over a bed mourning the death of a child. The mini amphitheatre upstairs (complete with a battered wooden operating table right in the middle) holds host to some astounding literary events, like BAD IDEA's Butcher's Shop, an interactive theatrical and literary event whose praises I have sung in the past for getting the balance just right between being playful and intellectually stimulating. If you go there of an evening, please heed the following warning: do NOT wait until you're desperate to go to ladies' or gents' loos because they have none on the premises. You'll have to use the one across the road! I never found the herb garret either.

So underrated! I love morbid and gross history, and this is the perfect place to find it. Located in a church attic, the Old Operating Theatre is the oldest existing operating room in Britain, and the site of many amputations dating back to 1821. At the time, med students in training would crowd into the theatre to observe the surgeries, which were often performed on blindfolded poor people. You can read about specific cases, including diary entries from one of the nurses, in the theatre by the table. Next to the operating theatre in the church attic is an exhibit on surgery and medical practice, complete with the actual implements they used to use on patients, and a collection of medicinal herbs. This is not a popular or crowded exhibit, so if you have an interest in medical history, definitely check this one out! Of the many museums, galleries and exhibits I visited during my time in London, this was among my favorites. Note: Don't be scared off by the steep, winding staircase leading up to the entrance - just make sure to use the rope to help you up!

Given that the museum staff said they only get 32,000 visitors a year, I was surprised this was on Yelp. But I should know better, Yelpers are an exploratory group! Highlights: - The oldest operating theatre in Europe with a Herb Garet. The amount of history in this small space is amazing! - Across the street from the Borough Market. You can get something delicious to eat before hand. [Unless you get queasy easily...] - You should make a point to go on Saturday or Sunday. On the weekends at 2pm they have a lecture. - Inexpensive! As far as tourist destinations go this place is a steal at £6 for adults. - Great for kids too! There were two kids in the lecture when I went. They were about...10? Lowlights: - I don't think this place is accessible if you are in a wheelchair or if you have issues climbing up a cramped flight of stairs. Overall: I have to agree with what other yelpers have said, this place is completely underrated! If you go on a weekend you are in a great area to do other exploring like the Globe, the Borough Market, London Bridge!

Many of us shivered as the knife was raised above the volunteer on the operating table... this is one of the most unusual museums in London, and also the oldest operating theatre in Europe. The theatre is located behind the Herb Garret, a unique chance to explore the Roof space of St. Thomas' Hospital Church. Many spices laying around and spiced organs in jars, along w/ baby delivering tools (forceps) make this place wicked, special in winter when we climbed wooden stairs in circles all the way to the top. Amongst all the wicked things, on valentine's day they had this special Sir Hans Sloane: The Odyssey of Chocolate Workshop allowing visitor to discover the fascinating story of chocolates long, rich history, from it's early usage by the ancient Aztecs (Remember the recent British Museum special exhibition :), who drank chocolate as a bitter beverage during religious and social ceremonies, to the explosion and mass production of chocolate throughout Europe in the 19th century. There're more such chocolate events and tasting in March and April. It's something special to do w/ family. What I like the most about the museum is the interaction and participation between visitors and curators. 2 curators talked about chocolate passionately, the museum history lively, and demonstrated the operating table. Throughout the museum, we felt being part of the history. Thanks to Gordon J for the intro.

This tiny museum is located in the attic of an old church, where they used to perform surgical procedures with medical students looking on. The space is kind of neat, but what previous reviewers have mentioned about the entry stairwell and the cramped quarters is accurate. It's easy to miss the entrance if you're not looking for it. You climb up a narrow, steep spiral staircase -- I think if I'd been half a foot taller, I would have been bumping my head on the ceiling! (I am 5'6.) The staircase is too narrow to accommodate two lanes of traffic, so watch out if you're climbing up. They do their best with the layout in the main room, but ultimately I think the space just doesn't lend itself to being a museum. The aisles are fairly narrow, and I felt weird pausing to read labels because I felt like I was blocking the traffic flow. The coolest part is probably the display of macabre surgical tools from back in the day. I came here after seeing the Hunterian earlier in the week, which was free, so I think I was a little spoiled by that. The Old Operating Theatre is neat, but ultimately it felt a bit gimmicky to me.

I think I just found the perfect museum. This place is amazing. If you like science, medicine, and history and your a total geek this is the place for you! This place is so interesting. With all of the old instruments from way back when, you actually do feel you travel back in time (yes, I know I'm talking like a geek). I think I made so much noise with "WOAH COOL" "Awesome". The lady working in the front is really nice and equally interesting as the museum and super helpful. The gift shop has really unique gifts too!

Super super cool place with tons of information and items on display! Extremely affordable and the perfect indoor activity to escape the cold for at least an hour or so. I would definitely love to go back some day.

The Old Operating Theatre is very interesting but it's not easily accessible or pleasant to be in. Located just a few streets from Borough Market, you have to walk up and down a steep, narrow staircase to access it. As someone with joint issues, I would not have gone if it hadn't been for my doctor-in-training boyfriend's enthusiasm and interest. Once inside, you have to squeeze through an overcrowded gift shop and up another staircase. There is also no bathroom once you're there. For someone who's not training to be a doctor, I was overwhelmed by what was there and distracted by the stuffiness/heat. He said that he greatly enjoyed it and was oozing about all that he learned but after seeing the Huntarian Museum and all it had to offer, that he wouldn't give it more than 3 stars. I didn't end up making it to the Huntarian Museum so I can't speak to it.

Super cool old surgical theatre right near Borough Market and London Bridge...such a fantastic find. Highly recommend the the 1-hour Saturday lecture to bring the theatre to life. You'll feel sorry for the poor souls who had to undergo surgery in those days. The small herb and medical museum outside the operating theatre is also very interesting. Worth it just for the photos of the narrow, winding staircase!

I visited with a friend who was studying medicine, but found it a much more interesting experience than I expected. Seeing the old operating theatre made of wood and the sawdust scattered on the floor for effect was really interesting. It is a little surreal to have a museum of medicine shhowing you all the implements used and talking about the history of operations, and then being able to also see the tranquil herb garden, but overall an interesting experience. It's probably unintentionally gruesome enough for kids to enjoy too. A small museum, but really interesting and definitely unique; good if you are interested in learning more about the history of medicine and appreciating developments in science that have happened since!

Make sure to consider weather before planning this into your day - I went on a relatively warm day in London, and waited almost an hour at the bottom of the steep spiral staircase for people to clear out so I could go up. Inside it was stiflingly hot, and they were trying to prevent people from passing out there due to heat from overcrowding! My time was cut a little short because of the wait, and I only had half an hour in the museum. Realistically an hour would have been more suitable. The things on display range from pots of every day herbs to rare and original gynecology instruments. The operating theatre itself is definitely worth a look, as it was the site of hundreds of anesthesia-free surgeries back in the day. There's not a lot to read, so this is mostly about the ambience of the old church tower and the rare paraphernalia.

This is a REAL off the beaten path museum near the Shard in London. The museum is in the attic, or garret, of a former church that housed an operating theater. Getting to the museum you have to climb a very narrow spiral staircase to the third floor (or second floor using European method for counting floors). I can't imagine what would happen if you met someone trying to go the opposite direction that you were. The museum part, which shows many herbs and how they were used, is quite interesting. There are also many medical instruments. I don't have a medical background at all, but it was really interesting to see how things were treated prior to current medicine. The operating theater was quite interesting. There was an interesting description of surgery prior to an understanding of antiseptic practices per Dr. Lister.

What a great find! I had read an article on this place and found myself with a free day to check it out. Located atop an old church, it is one of the oldest surviving operating theatres. The museum is tiny and unassuming. Visitors go up a small spiral staircase and enter through the gift shop. I wasn't there for a demonstration, but even wandering around the theatre on my own, I could imagine blood dripping from the patient on the operating table, and the surgeon calling for more sawdust to catch it. It was harsh and gruesome, and a large percentage of patients didn't survive. You could even see the instruments (saws) they used for amputation. Now, imagine what that would have been like before the invention of anesthesia. Immediately next to it is the Herb Garrett, with all kinds of dried plants and oddities with information on what they were used to treat. In addition, old Victorian medical instruments, grotesquely shaped, were on display. Only in my worst nightmares could I imagine those being used on me. But this was reality in an age prior to modern medicine. How far we've come!

This museum was a short and interesting detour from the more typical things to do in London, and as a surgeon, my husband got a kick out of it and the operating theater in particular. As a woman, though, seeing some of the gynecological instruments was a little terrifying. Apparently, some of the earliest surgeries performed were on women since childbirth is a common occurrence and fraught with problems... So if you ever thought that medicine and surgery were primitive at some point, imagine being on the receiving end of it at their very beginnings! And terrifying for everybody: Physicians' walking sticks doubled as something to insert into patients' mouths during surgery performed without anesthesia. D: Got a lecture from my husband about how some things weren't right or historical. (Really, the multicolored plastic heart model doesn't quite belong with the old, yellowed papers and rickety wooden surgical table? You don't say.)

This is the oldest operating theatre in England. The exhibits will tell the stody of how surgery was like and the use of herbal medicine. There you will get an insight of how operations were performed a long time ago. There was no antiseptic and anaesthetic which made me think of the pain and how much the patient suffered. There is also lots of instruments that were used during surgery back then which looked a bit horrifying. There are tours, talks, lectures about the place and its history. It is definately one place to visit to have a look.

This small but excellent museum houses Britain's oldest surviving operating theatre (from the early 19th century) which was discovered in the 1950s and has since been restored. Talks are given in the theatre with knowledgeable staff demonstrating surgery (pre-anaesthesia!) on victims/volunteers from the audience. No actual blood is spilt but it does give you a better idea of what went on. The Herb Garret (where the local apothecary stored his herbs) is full of unusual displays including bizarre prescriptions (snail water), dissected organs and brutal-looking medical instruments. It's somehow not as grisly as it sounds, perhaps because of the cosy, timbered setting in a church roof. There's trails and activities for children and they have a teacher's pack on the website. The only access is up a very steep, narrow spiral staircase. Not recommended for those with mobility problems.