Old Operating Theatre, Museum and Herb Garret
One of the vibrancy of London is its variety of things to see and do in London. This British capital has many of London sightseeing options that range from the medieval castle to some of the modern London attractions. The Oldest Operating Theatre in Britain in the unique setting of the timber framed Herb Garret. The Old Operating Theatre Museum is one of the most unusual museums in London. The Operating Theatre is the oldest in Europe, and the Herb Garret is a unique chance to explore the Roof space of a Church. The Theatre and Garret have recently been restored with its original Georgian plaster free of support frames for the first time since the late 1990's! The museum is located in Central London, in the historic Borough of Southwark, just South of London Bridge, and opposite Guy's Hospital.London Hop on Hop off Bus Tours passes through the famous sights of London and gives the freedom to its visitors to see the top London places at leisure.
The Operating Theatre is found in the roof space of an English Baroque Church. At first glance this placement seems bizarre. But it makes more sense when it is realised that the wards of the South Wing of St. Thomas's Hospital were built around St. Thomas's Church. Dorcas was the women's surgical ward. Before 1822, the women were operated on in the ward - this must have caused some considerable distress. In 1815 the Apothecary's Act, which required apprentice apothecaries to attend at public hospitals, meant that hordes of students poured in to watch operations.
Until 1847, surgeons had no recourse to anaesthetics and depended on swift technique (surgeons could perform an amputation in a minute or less), the mental preparation of the patient and alcohol or opiates to dull the patient's senses. Thereafter ether or chloroform started to be used. The Operating Theatre had closed down before antiseptic surgery was invented. The majority of cases were for amputations or superficial complaints as, without antiseptic conditions, it was too dangerous to carry out internal operations.
The Oldest Operating Theatre Museum provides a memorable experience for any visitor interested in history. It is one of the most unusual places in London - a building lost in the past. The Museum is found at the top of a wooden spiral staircase in the barn-like roof space of an old Church. The Operating Theatre is built in the old Herb Garret of St Thomas's Hospital. While the Garret has a charming old world atmosphere of oak beams and bundles of herbs, the Theatre itself is a shocking reminder of the harsh reality of life before modern science and technology. Many places claim to 'bring the past to life'; this is the past stripped bare.
The Museum is in St. Thomas's Church - built by Wren's master mason Thomas Cartwright. Britain's oldest surviving Operating Theatre has been restored with original furniture, including a 19th Century operating table. The museum displays the history of herbal medicine, surgery, nursing at Old St. Thomas's Hospital (the original home of Florence Nightingale's Nursing School) and Guy's Hospital and the Evelina Children's Hospital. It provides a dramatic insight into life before the modern era.
Herb Garret
When St Thomas's Church was rebuilt in 1703 it had an unusually large Garret in the roof space. This was used by the St Thomas's Apothecary to store and cure herbs. His main offices and shop were a short distance away along St Thomas's St.
When the Museum was being restored, 4 poppies were found in the rafters. Poppies are used to prepare opium which was a very important medicinal plant.
Storage areas in the hospital were available in basements and attics. For herbs, attics were preferable, we assume because they were less vunerable to rats. In addition, the massive timbers of the Garret stabilise the environment, absorbing excess moisture.
Apart from the poppies we have no direct evidence of what was stored here but the archives contain various references to the use of herbs and so we have an idea of what would have been used.
The Museum's collection includes the objects at the Old Operating Theatre Museum.The museum has a collection of objects illustrating medical history, and the history of St. Thomas's and Guy's Hospitals. The Museum Collection On-Line is currently being digitised. Approximately two thirds of the collection is now online. They have objects relating to:
- Obstetrics
- Midwifery
- Surgical Instruments
- Cupping and Bleeding
- Nursing and Patient Care
- Anaesthesia
- Antiseptic surgery
- Apothecaries and Herbal Medicine
- St. Thomas's, Guy's and the Evelina Children's Hospital.
The Operating Theatre Museum also conducts lectures and events, online exhibitions, educational programmes. The Lectures and Events include BARBERS, BLOOD & BANDAGES, Herbs, the Garret and the Old Operating Theatre and much more.The Old Operating Theatre Museum on line exhibitions explain the detailed history of the Museum and its context in the history of medicine in general and the history of Guys and St Thomas Hospital in particular. A visit to the Museum is an experience that gives individuals a profound insight into the past, stimulating interest in a whole range of issues about past and present health. Download your Teacher Pack here, with all the information you need to plan your visit!
Children can also have great fun at London with some of the London attractions . There are many things to do in London with children.School Visits tailored to fit The National Curriculum. The Museum provides ample opportunities to explore subjects on the National Curriculum. It is particularly popular with students studying the 'Medicine through Time' syllabus and Key Stage 2 groups learning about Victorian life. The combination of medical science and herbal healing also means that there are many other subjects education staff can cover in educational sessions. They also provide group visits for Medical Professionals. They also provide fun stuff for children.
Join a London bus tour and discover the array of attractions in London. Our range of London sightseeing tours are designed to suit you.
Visitor Information:
The museum is open every day from:
10.30am to 5.00pm
We are open Bank Holidays except Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Christmas Period Closing:
We are closed 15th Dec - 5th Jan.
Admission Prices:
Full Price £5.80
Concession £4.80
Child (under 16) £3.25 (2009 price!)
Family £13.75 (up to 2 adults and 4 children from same family) (2009 price!)
Schools Groups Each group (of 10 or over), booking in advance, receive a free lecture/introduction to the Museum after paying admission of £3.25 per pupil. (2009 price!) Accompanying adults free.
Groups
Each group (of 10 or over) booking in advance will receive a free lecture/introduction to the Museum when the admission fee per person is paid as above. See Group information Group Walks
Groups can also take a walk around the Local area - either as a general historical walk, or as a 'Public Health in Southwark' walk. Combined walk and talk is £8 per person for schools (2009 price!), and £9 .25 per person for adult groups. Walk, no visit £6 per