Old Operating Theatre, Museum and Herb Garret
The Old Operating Theatre, Museum & Herb Garret is a hidden gem. Others have called it "the strangest of museums" and New Scientist approvingly said: "a fascinating insight into the medical practices of the first half of the [19th] century".
Here is Britain's oldest surviving operating theatre, rediscovered in the 1950s after lying forgotten for decades.
The approach is by way of St Thomas' Church (built by Wren's master mason Thomas Cartwright) in the Borough which reminds us that St Thomas' Hospital was in Southwark before moving upstream leaving the site to Mr Guy's Hospital.
Britain's oldest operating theatre has been restored, and boasts a 19th century operating table.
Tel: (020) 7188 2679
Open: Daily 10.30am-5pm
Prices: £5.90; conc £4.90; child £3.40; family (2+4) £13.80
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valid at Old Operating Theatre, Museum and Herb Garret
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News & features about Old Operating Theatre, Museum and Herb Garret
- Union Street's Urban Physic Garden nears completion (5 Jun 2011)
- 'Dangerous' St Thomas Street trees cut down by TfL (10 May 2010)
- London Dungeon stages grisly publicity stunt in Borough streets (26 Mar 2009)
- Petition launched to save London Fire Brigade Museum (2 Oct 2008)
- Pearly kings and queens depicted on St Thomas' Street hoarding (28 Mar 2008)
- Heritage award for Old Operating Theatre (15 May 2007)
- A Bloodless Field at the Old Operating Theatre (15 Apr 2007)
- October half term ideas (20 Oct 2006)
- Bermondsey gets the Lonely Planet treatment (17 Jan 2006)
- Old Operating Theatre Museum moves from attic to crypt (5 Dec 2005)
- 18 community projects share £30,000 (19 Apr 2005)
- A novel of Southwark and Venice (9 Mar 2005)
- Trail links South Bank and Bankside museums (9 May 2004)
- Pool of London funding for art and operating theatre (20 Feb 2003)
- Buildings at risk in SE1 (16 Jul 2002)
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Restaurants, pubs & bars close to Old Operating Theatre, Museum and Herb Garret
- Quarter Bar & Lounge (30 yards)
- Londinium (34 yards)
- Pret a Manger (38 yards)
- Tito's Peruvian Restaurant (44 yards)
- Borough Bar (50 yards)
- The Bunch of Grapes (60 yards)
- Spiazzo Cafe (86 yards)
- London Bridge Tandoori (86 yards)
- London Bridge Kebab (88 yards)
- De Gustibus (96 yards)
- Giuseppe's Ristorante Italiano (96 yards)
- The Old King's Head (102 yards)
- Starbucks (104 yards)
- Pret a Manger (108 yards)
- The Guildable Manor (108 yards)
- Cafe Brood (112 yards)