Old Operating Theatre becomes National Trust partner

The Old Operating Theatre, Museum & Herb Garret in St Thomas Street has joined the Benjamin Franklin House, Dr Johnson's House, the

Foundling Museum, Hall Place and Gardens, Keats House, Leighton House Museum and the Museum of Brands as National Trust partners.

National Trust members will be entitled to a 50 per cent discount on admission fees on presentation of their membership card.

The partnership is intended to bring extra benefits to National Trust members living in or visiting London.

In return, partner museums benefit from increased visitor numbers and an exchange of skills with the trust.

"This is an important development in the history of the Old Operating Theatre Museum," said director Kevin Flude.

"The museum is a very important survival from our medical past, and we hope our association with the National Trust will help bring the museum to a wider public."

The theatre is the oldest surviving operating theatre in Britain, dating to 1822, and the herb garret is a unique survival in the roof of St Thomas Church (built 1703) where the apothecary kept the herbs that formed an important part of St Thomas Hospital's medical care.

• There is an opportunity to visit the museum free of charge on Sunday 23 September as part of Open House London.