Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret

The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret is a fascinating historical gem tucked away just a short walk from London Bridge and Borough Market. Located in the attic of St. Thomas's Church, this unique museum offers an authentic look at 19th-century medical history. The space originally served as a garret for drying and storing medicinal herbs before an operating theatre was built there in 1822. As Europe's oldest surviving operating table setup, the history here is compelling, offering a sobering look at what medical procedures were like before the advent of modern anesthesia and antiseptics. ​The museum does not shy away from the harsh realities of early surgery, and the factual accounts of pre-Victorian procedures can certainly serve as some intense, slightly scary stories to take home with you. However, the sheer educational value of the exhibits makes the visit thoroughly worthwhile. ​In terms of accessibility, the main entrance requires climbing a steep, narrow spiral staircase, but an elevator is available for those with mobility issues or specific access needs. To top off the visit, the on-site gift shop features a great selection of souvenirs, from botanical gifts inspired by the herb garret to historical books and quirky anatomical replicas, making it an excellent stop before heading back out to explore the surrounding Southwark area.

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The Old Operating Theatre Museum was one of our favorite stops in London! As someone who works in healthcare, I found it absolutely fascinating to see how surgery and medicine were practiced centuries ago. Walking into the operating theatre feels like stepping back in time. Seeing the wooden operating table, the steep seating where students observed procedures, and learning how surgeries were performed before modern anesthesia and sterile technique was both eye-opening and humbling. What really made the museum stand out were the interactive exhibits. We loved being able to engage with the displays rather than just reading placards. The recreated apothecary was especially interesting and gave a great sense of what healthcare looked like long before modern medicine. The building itself is incredible, with beautiful historic timber beams and a unique atmosphere that adds to the experience. Every room seemed to have another fascinating detail waiting to be discovered. And don’t skip the gift shop! It was one of the best museum gift shops we’ve visited—packed with fun, quirky, and medically themed items that were actually worth browsing. We spent far more time in there than we expected. Whether you’re interested in history, medicine, or just looking for something different in London, this museum is well worth a visit. Informative, interactive, and genuinely memorable. We left with a newfound appreciation for how far surgery and patient care have come.

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Really lovely museum. Staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. The displays were well researched and written. The talk about the leeches was very informative. Be sure to observe the collection regarding women and health/medical processes. Definitely worth a visit!

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Despite having worked at Guy's Hospital, I never got the chance to visit because last admission is at 4:15pm. And when any events are on,tickets sell fast! Finally made it and loved how the place has been preserved. Up 52 very steep and spiral staircase onto a tower, you would be surprised that the operating theatre and medical students teaching amphitheater could be located there. You would also wonder how patients could have been transported there. Well historically that wasn't the entrance, the main entrance is now gone. So if you are visiting l, be prepared to climb the stairs holding onto a sturdy rope. Only a single file can climb up or down. The artefacts, pharmacy and apothecary gives an insight into the life and medicine before anaesthesia and antibiotics. There are preserved organs too, some of which also reflect (blackened lungs) the hardships of urban life and polluted air and smoke. Definitely worth visiting.

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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.

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