Free entry day to the Old Operating Theatre

The Old Operating Theatre close to London Bridge, is marking the 60th anniversary of its opening to the public with a free entry day.

The operating theatre was closed in 1862 when St Thomas’s Hospital moved to Waterloo, and then entirely forgotten — until 1956, when organologist and antiquarian Raymond Russell rediscovered it while investigating the church’s attic and with support from surgeons and medical practitioners of the day, the Museum that now occupies the site opened in 1962. To visit to the museum this year is a double anniversary – the 200th year the theatre opened, and the 60th anniversary of its reopening as a museum.

Being based in the roof of a former church, entry is up a narrow winding stone staircase – access via a lift is possible if arranged in advance — and then into the wooden rafters of a room packed full of medical tools and ever so many medicinal herbs.

The museum usually costs £7.50 to visit -- but on Thursday 27th October, entry will be free for everyone.

Entry is up a narrow spiral staircase as the operating theatre was built above an old church, so space is a bit limited, and they do warn that they may need to limit visitor numbers if it gets busy.

The museum will be open for free from 10:30am to 5pm with last entry at 4:15pm. No booking is needed.