Step Into the Oldest Surgical Theatre in London
Hidden in the attic of an 18th-century church, discover where medicine began in candlelight. Explore the original timber-framed herb garret and the atmospheric operating theatre.
Museum Story Cards
Uncover layers of medical history preserved within these walls.
History of Surgery
Experience the stark reality of 19th-century surgery before the advent of anesthetics and antiseptics.
Herb Garret Apothecary
Walk through the original wooden rafters used to store and cure medicinal herbs for St Thomas' Hospital.
Guided Tours
Join our expert historians as they illuminate the practices, tools, and patient stories of the Victorian era.
Journey Through Time
The evolution of medicine charted through our historic attic.
St Thomas' Hospital Founded
The original hospital is established on this site, run by the Augustinian order, focusing on herbal remedies and spiritual care.
The Herb Garret
St Thomas' Church is rebuilt, and its vast attic is repurposed by the hospital's apothecary to store and cure medicinal herbs.
The Operating Theatre
A section of the Herb Garret is transformed into a purpose-built surgical theatre for the women's ward below.
Rediscovery
After being boarded up and forgotten for nearly a century, the theatre is dramatically rediscovered by Raymond Russell.