Welcome

Discover Europe’s oldest surviving operating theatre.

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View of the old operating theatre from the back

Welcome to the Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret

Housed in the attic of the early eighteenth-century church of the old St Thomas’ Hospital, this atmospheric museum offers a unique insight into the history of medicine and surgery. The original timber framed Herb Garret was once used to dry and store herbs for patients’ medicines and in 1822 an operating theatre was included. Predating anaesthetics and antiseptics, it is the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe.

Access to the attic is through a narrow 52-step spiral staircase. 

Please note: There are no public toilets onsite at the Museum. We advise visitors to use the public toilets located either in London Bridge (mainline) Station or Borough Market.


Opening Times

  • Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10.30am – 5.00pm (last admission is 4.15pm).
  • The entrance is via a 52-step narrow spiral staircase.
  • There are not toilets onsite.

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Meet Benjamin Travers

surgeon at St Thomas’ Hospital

Come face to face with a surgeon from the early 19th century in our free Augmented Reality app. Mr Benjamin Travers was a renowned British surgeon who was appointed as lead demonstrator at Old St Thomas’ Hospital. Across three short monologues, ‘Mr Travers’ introduces the user (playing the role of a new medical student) to the operating theatre and explains the surgical procedure performed on Mrs Elizabeth Raigen.

Download the App here

Virtual Tour

of the Museum

Explore the Museum from the comfort of your own home with our virtual tour. Starting in St Thomas’ Street, you will enter St Thomas’ Church, once part of the old St Thomas’ Hospital. After heading up our 52-step spiral staircase, the tour takes you into the Museum itself which is located in the roof space of the Church.

Book your onsite visit here

Text "View our museum virtual tour" over an image of the museum interior

The Old Op Apothecary Shop

Museum + Heritage Awards 2022 Shop of the Year Shortlistee!

Influenced by apothecaries of the past and inspired by contemporary approaches to health and well-being, we’re working with the very best local and independent makers and creators to provide you with time-tested cures for the modern world.

All income from shop sales is invested back into the upkeep of this historic space, its collection and exciting programming. Thank you for your support.

Gift Vouchers

an ideal gift

Treat your friends, family or yourself to a visit to the Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret. Once you’ve purchased your tickets, you will receive an email with a download button for you to retrieve the gift voucher. Just print this off or forward to the lucky recipient. All the information to redeem their super gift will be on the gift voucher.

Purchase your gift vouchers here

Herb Garret
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