Old Operating Theatre, London Bridge

What does a visit to the Old Operating Theatre consist of?

This is fun, ghoulish real life stuff acquired for a small entrance fee. The exhibits may be in glass cases but the profusion of different medical items is fascinating. Children’s medicine is highlighted no doubt for the benefit of the many school visitors they have.

The actual old operating theatre was moved here from St Thomas’s Hospital in 1982 when it was moved over brick by brick from its original site. It was fascinating to stand above the operating theatre in the viewing gallery and see what was going on in much the same way as would have happened in the public operating sessions years ago. Knowing that this is a real place has a huge impact on your experience as a visitor. The original wooden operating table was also on show.

When I was there a very knowledgeable and accessible presenter was telling the audience all about the history of the operating theatre and how operations used to be carried out. The presenter readily engaged the young audience and there were lots of questions asked. The school children loved the gory detail. The Old Operating Theatre is very low tech event and participation is limited to those whose can squeeze in to the viewing gallery, but it is tremendously accessible and visually stimulating. However it would be impossible to access if you were not able to climb the 52 small steps to the top or afford the £6.50 entrance fee.

The Old Operating Theatre on-line

Excellent, accessible and shows the wide range of events as well as the usual exhibitions and shows.

Art at the Old Operating Theatre

I did not actually see this piece of performance art when I visited The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret but chose to show it here as an example of how effectively public engagement is carried out here. Open Art Surgery was performed by artists Doctors Fitz and Fitzy at the museum in 2019. In this fantasy medical procedure they attempted to create a patient from paper and then bring it to life. Many layers of anatomy were revealed through drawing and dissecting the subject matter.

The exhibition space that is available at the Old Operating Theatre is tiny so maybe the museum has chosen to use performance artists to bring the subject alive. When I visited I saw the actual operating theatre brought to life by actors realising the grisly past of the place – and the audience loved it.

In addition to exploring these unique locations, weekend events exploring the history of medicine and a collection of objects, instruments and texts illustrating the history of the theatre and the herb garret, which range from midwifery tools to herbal medicine. Information sheets are provided, but there are no guided tours in numerous languages. If you’ve got even the slightest interest in medicine or medical history, this is a worthwhile visit.

Given the age of the building, the museum’s facilities are limited. The building is virtually inaccessible via wheelchair or for parents with buggies, as the only entrance and exit is a tight, winding, spiral staircase of 52 steps. One helpful mum on TripAdvisor noted that there are no toilets available in the building, either. They do manage to pack in a small gift shop on the first floor.

Main image at top of page: Birnbaum, H (2020). Entrance to the Old Operating Theatre, London (museum). Accessed 2016 Author’s private collection

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