The World’s First Public Operating Theatre

Step into the Operating Theatre nestled under the London Bridge. Once part of the ancient St Thomas’ Hospital, this surgical amphitheater is now open to the public as a permanent exhibition. To reach it, you’ll need to climb 52 narrow, winding steps that feel like a scene out of a Dickens novel. 🏰🚶‍♂️ The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret is a fascinating look at the two sides of early modern European medicine. Here, you can witness the eerie, rodent-like experimental anatomies performed on humans, as well as the wild and not-so-academic trials and developments of herbal medicine from the 18th and 19th centuries. 🩺🌿 Visitor Information Opening Hours 🕐: Generally open every day, but it’s best to check the website for confirmation. Admission 🎫: Tickets are required, with potential discounts for students and seniors. Transportation 🚇: Take the tube to London Bridge Station and walk from there. 🚇🚶‍♀️ The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret in London is a unique museum showcasing the surgical and medical history of the early 19th century. It’s one of the oldest operating theatres in Europe, offering visitors a glimpse into medical practices before the advent of modern medicine. 🏰🔬 Museum History Origin: Built in 1822 as part of St Thomas’ Hospital, it was designed for teaching and surgical demonstrations. 🛠️ Closure and Rediscovery: After the hospital moved in 1862, the operating theatre was abandoned and forgotten until it was rediscovered and restored in the 1950s. 🕵️ Opening as a Museum: The museum opened to the public in 1962, displaying early 19th-century surgical tools, equipment, and medical practices. 🎉 Museum Highlights The Old Operating Theatre: This is the heart of the museum, preserving the original appearance of a 19th-century operating room. The theatre is amphitheater-style, where students could watch the surgery from surrounding steps. 📚👀 It’s a chilling look at the surgical environment before the advent of anesthesia and antiseptic techniques. 🥶 #London #Surgery #History #Medicine #Exhibition #Experiment #Discovery