Discover London’s Old Operating Theatre Museum – Where Surgery Was Once A Spectator Sport

Discover Europe’s oldest surviving operating theatre and a Herb garret in a church attic

The Old Operating Theatre & Herb Garret, Tucked away in the attic an old church near London Bridge, has got to be one of London’s most authentic and unusual museums.

At the heart of the museum is an actual 19th -century operating theatre, the oldest preserved example in Europe.This is the place to visit for a glimpse into London’s medical past and leave with a whole new appreciation for modern day healthcare.

Come and discover one of London’s smaller but most fascinating museums.

What is The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret?

The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret is one of the most intriguing things to do in London -`a preserved 19th century operating theatre and apothecary in the attic of St Thomas’s church, which dates back to the early 1700’s and was part of the original St Thomas’ Hospital.

The church was built with a garret- usable attic space- that was used to dry and store the medicinal herbs and plants that were prescribed in the hospital. The attic apothecary is now a beautifully fragrant part of the museum.

The Old Operating Theatre was constructed in the 1800’s specifically for female patients. Prior to this there was no provision for women; male patients had an operating theatre in the hospital. Surgery on women was attempted on the hospital wards.

In the late 1800’s, St Thomas’ Hospital relocated to Lambeth and the entrance to the attic was sealed. It remained so, until someone researching the history of St Thomas’ reopened it in the 1950’s.

Restored and open to all, The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret is a family-friendly, fascinating London museum showcasing surgical tools, herbal medicine and the history of Victorian healthcare

What to See at The Old Operating Theatre Museum

The Old Operating Theatre

Let’s begin with the star of the show- the old wooden operating theatre itself.

This was the female operating theatre of St Thomas’ hospital, in use from 1822 – 1862. The room is laid out amphitheatre- style, with stands for medical students and guests to observe the surgery. The poor patient on the central operating table being the star of the show.

Theatre by name, theatre by nature.

I took this picture from the head end of the operating table to get an idea of what the patient would see, before they were held down for one of the three surgical procedures that took place here: trephination, a procedure that involves drilling a hole in the head to relieve pressure, removal of bladder stones and amputations. 

Unfortunately for the poor soul on the table, medical research dived into surgery before figuring out antiseptic and anaesthetic. No pre-surgery prep, no sterilised instruments, no surgical scrubs.

The details are chilling: a box of sawdust under the operating table. The operating table under a skylight- without modern lighting, surgeons depended on daylight to operate. The washstand with a jug and bowl; this was for the surgeon to clean up after the procedure. The benefits of hand washing before were yet to be recognised.

The Old Operating Theatre might look brutal and unforgiving by modern standards, but it was a place of learning and progress. Procedures were developed here that gave the patient a far greater chance of survival.

Surgeons at St Thomas’ didn’t make a lot of money treating London’s poor. Admitting paying medical students into theatre to observe surgery was a means of supplementing their income.

The Latin inscription on the theatre wall reads Miseratione Non Mercede. This was the motto of the surgeons at Old St Thomas’ Hospital and translates as For Mercy, Not Gain. It served as a reminder that surgery was about compassion rather than financial gain.

The Herb Garret Apothecary

Before the church attic housed an operating theatre, it was the Herb Garret of St Thomas’s Church in the old St Thomas Hospital. Storing medicinal herbs in the oak beamed roof allowed excess moisture to be absorbed into the wood, while the elevated location offered protection against vermin.

The Herb Garret itself is a place of beauty, a lofty space of old beams and creaky wooden floors. Due to the mix of herbs and botanicals on display, it also smells absolutely gorgeous.

The original apothecary counter has survived and showcases a range of jars, bottles and tools that the apothecary had at their disposal. The apothecary was the pharmacist of their time. They prepared herbal remedies and potions as prescribed by doctors and dispensed to customers who came directly to them to advice and treatment.

The gorgeous scent in the garret comes from the many baskets of medicinal herbs and flowers on display. Interestingly, there are many we still reach for today: Lavender and rose to soothe, clove oil for toothache, fennel tea for menstrual cramps and so on and so forth.

The old glass apothecary bottles and ceramic jars are fascinating. look out for the set of blue and white Delft jars. Things of beauty, can we bring back such beautiful packaging for medicines, please?

The Life at the Hospital Exhibition

In contrast, the part of the museum where you’ll find the things you’ll be glad we don’t still reach for today. A display of surgical implements and teaching aids from through the ages.

In amongst the gruesome looking surgical tools there’s lots of information about how hospital care worked back in the day. For example, the Old St Thomas’ Hospital Governors held the right to nominate people believed to be the most ‘deserving’ cases for admission and the hospital admitted patients on ‘Taking In Day’, once a week.

The section on women’s health and maternity care is particularly intriguing. Had I been living in Victorian times, I suspect I either wouldn’t have survived or would have been declared ‘Hysterical’. That seems to have been the go-to diagnosis when it comes to female health in the Victorian era.

Worth noting that this section of the museum does contain some human pathology specimens. The collection is held in one small area of the exhibition space and can be easily by-passed if this is something you’re uncomfortable with.

The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret FAQ’S

Everything you need to know to plan your own trip to this unusual museum in London.

Access to The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret

Due to the museums location in the attic space of a year old church, access is limited. The ticket desk and museum entrance is at the top of a 52 step, very narrow spiral staircase.

When I say narrow, I mean it. There’s no passing room. There’s actually a traffic light system in place to let visitors know when the staircase is free. Check it before you set off, I can’t imagine it would be easy to go up or down those stairs backwards.

Things to do Near The Old Operating Theatre

The museum is fantastic, but it won’t take all day. Here’s a few more suggestions for nearby things to do in London:

• Head to nearby Borough Market for food
• Stroll Southwark, the mix of historic buildings and ultra modern architecture makes this part of London endlessly interesting
• Visit The George – a historic pub and London’s only remaining galleried inn.
• Combine the Old Operating Theatre Museum with a visit to the nearby London Sky Garden. This would take some planning as you MUST pre-book Sky Garden tickets, but would be a fantastic way to spend a day in London.

Find The Ultimate Guide to Visiting The Sky Garden London Here

I absolutely loved exploring The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret and hope I have inspired you to add it to your London travel plans.

Helen x