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18 Medical
museums in London

How was surgery performed before the days of anaesthetic? What tools did dentist's use before the electric drill? Find the answers to these questions and more with London's medical museums.

Image of St. Bart's Hospital Museum

St. Bart's Hospital Museum

he museum based in a working hospital in the City of London, exhibits objects and archives dating back to the 12th century

Central LONDON

Image of The Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons

The Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons

Revealing 400 years of medical history. From the oldest anatomical collections in the world to minimal access surgery.

Central LONDON

Image of Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum

Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum

The original cramped and crowded laboratory at St Mary's Hospital in which Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin.

Central LONDON

Image of Anaesthesia Heritage Centre

Anaesthesia Heritage Centre

The history of anaesthesia, resuscitation and pain relief.

Central LONDON

Image of British Dental Association Museum

British Dental Association Museum

The museum that began as several old dental instruments stored under a bed.

Central LONDON

Image of British Optical Association Museum

British Optical Association Museum

Over 20,000 objects and archival items tell the story of the progression of eye-wear and optometry.

Central LONDON

Image of Florence Nightingale Museum

Florence Nightingale Museum

The museusm dedicated to one of the most influential women of Victorian Britain.

Central LONDON

Image of Grant Museum of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy

Grant Museum of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy

The only remaining university zoological museum in London, houses around 67,000 specimens, covering the whole Animal Kingdom.

Central LONDON

Image of Old Operating Theatre Museum

Old Operating Theatre Museum

One of London’s oldest and most intriguing museums—a former operating theatre where every patient was female.

Central LONDON

Image of Royal College of Physicians

Royal College of Physicians

The oldest medical museum in England, with humble beginnings from 1656.

Central LONDON

Image of Royal Pharmaceutical Society Museum

Royal Pharmaceutical Society Museum

Established in 1842, provides a wide range of services and activities for everyone interested in the history of British pharmacy.

Central LONDON

Image of Chelsea Physic Garden

Chelsea Physic Garden

Tucked away beside the Thames, Chelsea Physic Garden is a celebration of the beauty and importance of plants.

West LONDON

Image of Royal London Hospital Museum

Royal London Hospital Museum

Displays in a former church crypt, with exhibitions on Joseph Merrick the 'Elephant Man' and in the infamous 'Jack the Ripper' of Whitechapel.

East LONDON

Image of Bethlem Museum of the Mind

Bethlem Museum of the Mind

Dedicated to the history of mental health treatment, with historical and archival material as well as a large art collection.

Outer LONDON

Image of Wellcome Collection Museum

Wellcome Collection Museum

The collection of medical curiosities and implements, tell the story and explore connections between medicine, life and art in the past, present and future.

Central LONDON

Image of The Freud Museum

The Freud Museum

Sigmund Freud's family home from 1938 to 1982, displays include the impressive study, extraordinary antiquities and iconic couch.

North LONDON

Image of Langdon Down Museum of Learning Disability

Langdon Down Museum of Learning Disability

The museum tells the story of the Langdon Down house at Normansfield and also contains a Grade II* listed Victorian theatre.

Outer LONDON

Image of Science Museum

Science Museum

Featured across seven floors, exhibitions include the developments in contemporary science, medicine and technology.

West LONDON