Saint Bartholomew's Hospital Museum
Saint Bartholomew's Hospital Museum
4.5
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The museum exhibits objects and archives dating back to the 12th century, from the hospital's unique historical collections, and gives visitors the opportunity to view two vast and spectacular paintings by William Hogarth. Visitors can also enjoy the famous 18th century hospital square, designed by James Gibbs. Displays include original and facsimile archives dating back to the 12th century, among them the agreement between Henry VIII and the City of London which refounded the hospital. Henry’s signature can be seen in the top left-hand corner. This magnificent document, complete with the Great Seal of Henry VIII, is one of the most important treasures of the hospital. The oldest document in the hospital archives is Rahere’s grant of 1137, and a facsimile can be seen in the museum. Sealed in the presence of Rahere, the founder of St Bartholomew's, this deed has remained in the hospital ever since, except perhaps during the Fire of London in 1666. Objects from the hospital’s unique historical collections are also exhibited, including works of art, and surgical and medical equipment used in the hospital. Visitors can view a case of amputation instruments which belonged to John Abernethy, surgeon to the hospital in 1815-27, and the tools of the apothecary’s trade, including pill-making equipment, scales and drug bottles. Visitors can learn about William Harvey, physician to St Bartholomew's from 1609-43 and discoverer of the circulation of the blood. The patients’ diet in earlier times is explained, and a volume of 19th century drawings and watercolours illustrates in graphic detail particular diseases and cases. Equipment used by nurses in their work is exhibited, such as feeding cups, a hypodermic syringe and items of uniform. The hospital’s role in the training of medical students is also covered. The museum shop sells a range of postcards and publications about the hospital.
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: City of London
From its ancient past as a Roman trading outpost to its 21st century status as the wealthiest square mile in the world, the financial district known simply as “The City” is one of London's most historic and fascinating neighbourhoods. Here high rise office towers such as Norman Foster’s Gherkin mingle with Roman ruins and architectural marvels from virtually every era in between, including Christopher Wren's glorious St.Paul's Cathedral, and John Soane's dauntingly classicist Bank of England. This neighbourhood is also home to some of the finest restaurants and plushest hotels in Europe, in addition to an assortment of of watering holes, upscale shops, and Tube stations. During the week, the City is abuzz with white collar workers going about their business; the weekend sees this area turn into a quiet haven for sightseers.
How to get there
- St. Paul's • 4 min walk
- Barbican • 5 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
50 reviews
Excellent
24
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22
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4
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futtock21
London, UK17,143 contributions
Sept 2021 • Family
Dating from 1738 the Great Hall with its vast ceiling decorated in gold leaf by Jean Baptiste St. Michelle (his only work in England) not to mention a portrait in stained glass of King Henry VIII peering down on all medical students who take their exams here, the Great Hall is very much the jewel in the crown of the Bartholomew’s Hospital site. Today it forms part of the ‘museum’ a floor above galleries currently showing part of a multi-sensory rainforest walk which seems to have escaped from the Wellcome Collection. Thanks to a collaboration between Barts Heritage and the City Music Foundation which sponsors young musicians of promise from around the world there are now monthly recitals. Today a recital by Franco-Belgian pianist Antoine Preat equally at home in a Haydn Sonata as Schumann’s bipolarity and Ravel’s fibber.
Written September 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pantea A
1 contribution
Jun 2022 • Family
My past and ongoing experience with Dr Truelove has been fantastic, I cannot emphasis the professionalism and care he took when treating my lymph node condition. He was extremely comforting with my concerns and reassured me that he would do the best he could in order to make not only my condition but me feel better. I cannot thank him enough.
Written June 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeamWard
Nottingham, UK5,691 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
The St Bartolomews Hospital Museum is easily missed, but we'll worth your time, the items about mad dogs, poison and working at Xmas where special
Written August 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K B
25 contributions
Aug 2013
A fascinating look at medicine as practised at St Bartholomew's hospital, one of the oldest in UK. An added bonus is the murals by Hogarth. A must for anyone interested in medicine and the changes in medical treatment from prayer to modern medicine. A well laid out informative museum. And then there are the murals which wrap around two of the walls of the grand staircase which is in use today by the staff at the hospital. The contrast of the wonderful murals depicting the Good Samaritan and Jesus healing a lame man with staff walking down carrying takeaway coffees showed how London is a wonderful mix of old and new. It is free, but a donation is welcomed.
Written August 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarjieEmma
Nottingham, UK77 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
This museum is described by many as a hidden gem - a spot on description! It’s small, uncrowded, and fascinating. A 5min video gives you the background history of the hospital before you explore the exhibit. Staff are very helpful. Highly recommended.
Written June 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kwagmeister
Newburgh, IN1,639 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
My husband and I were headed from St. Paul’s cathedral to the London Museum and he found this interesting little find while looking on google maps for directions. Since he is part of the medical field he was eager to visit. It’s worth a stop whether you are in the field or not - the history of the hospital is fascinating!
St. Bartholomew founded the hospital on this site in the 12th century (!). The education of countless doctors and nurses on the grounds gives one pause, and visitors over its history include Elizabeth Blackwell - back in the middle 1800s. That name was familiar to us since we lived for several years in upstate New York, where she spent years. Another familiar name you’ll see in the visitor’s book from that era is Florence Nightingale!
The museum is so small you’ll be through it in under an hour, but it’s certainly a destination for those interested in the history of the hospital and medical education. Pop in to the chapel right next door and you may be able to be part of the daily worship. A stained glass window with caduceus reminds visitors that it is an important part of the hospital campus.
This was a neat find. Worth a visit!
St. Bartholomew founded the hospital on this site in the 12th century (!). The education of countless doctors and nurses on the grounds gives one pause, and visitors over its history include Elizabeth Blackwell - back in the middle 1800s. That name was familiar to us since we lived for several years in upstate New York, where she spent years. Another familiar name you’ll see in the visitor’s book from that era is Florence Nightingale!
The museum is so small you’ll be through it in under an hour, but it’s certainly a destination for those interested in the history of the hospital and medical education. Pop in to the chapel right next door and you may be able to be part of the daily worship. A stained glass window with caduceus reminds visitors that it is an important part of the hospital campus.
This was a neat find. Worth a visit!
Written June 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AJOhio
Cleveland, OH102 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
Follow the signs to the museum from Bart's historic courtyard and the entrance is a door under the main gate (it is easy to miss). The museum is small (takes about an hour to visit) but very interesting; it interprets the history of Bart's using items that belonged to the hospital (e.g. facsimiles of documents, medical intruments, etc). A must see for those interested in the history of medicine. The historic lecture hall, however, is only accessible as part of guided tours so check ahead of time. When it is closed, you can only see the stairs leading up and part of Hogarth's mural on the wall.
Written June 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Enfield1
London, UK13 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
Really intertesting small musuem. VERY helpful assistant who pointed out a few gems in the museum and the Chapel too.
See the surgeon's kits (saws, knives and all!) and case studies of past diseases and infections. Look for the model head used by past medical students to practice on.
The museum is open Tuesday to Friday, 10am-4pm (closed over Christmas, New Year, Easter and public holidays). FREE entry
See the surgeon's kits (saws, knives and all!) and case studies of past diseases and infections. Look for the model head used by past medical students to practice on.
The museum is open Tuesday to Friday, 10am-4pm (closed over Christmas, New Year, Easter and public holidays). FREE entry
Written March 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barry S
St. Albans, UK853 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
A nice little visit squeezed between others. Prefaced by a short film lasting about seven minutes the museum traces the history of st Barts one of the only, if not the only hospital which is still on the same site after more than 900 years.
A charming and helpful lady will greet you at the entrance and advise you on what best to see.
A hidden gem!
A charming and helpful lady will greet you at the entrance and advise you on what best to see.
A hidden gem!
Written November 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PhilipLeic
Leicester, UK1,665 contributions
Oct 2019
A free small museum giving the history of St Barts hospital. This is not the Barts pathology museum that I wanted to visit which is only open for special events I was told. Neverthe less it was interesting to visit. Make sure you see the introductory video.
Written November 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this open to the public during november
Written September 23, 2018
Hi
Thanks for your enquiry. Yes, St Bartholomew's Hospital Museum will be open to the public Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm, throughout November. You can find visitor information at bartshealth.nhs.uk/bartsmuseum
Thanks
Written September 24, 2018
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