I did a general review on the area of Bankside in London in December 2016 and thought I would go into one of the ‘things to do’ in more detail.
The Old Operating Theatre is on St Thomas Street, London – the same Street as The Shard – as you come out the station following signs to the Shard turn right (as opposed to left to the Shard) and it is on your right hand side a few steps down.
It is an amazing little Museum founded in the attic of a Church in 1822 – it was once used by apothecaries to store herbs to make medicines. As it is in the attic to get to it the entrance is via a narrow spiral staircase (I dint count the steps but I would think probably about 30 to climb but don’t hold me to it as I just looked forward and climber!).
It is the only 19th century Operating Theatre, complete with a wooden Operating table, observation stands where spectators could watch procedures being performed without any anaesthetic or antiseptics!
I would say you would spend about an hour/ hour and half going round probably even longer depending on how much reading you like to do as there is lots of information about. It is not very big but so unusual, like stepping back into medical history. It is open daily from 10.30 – 5.00 pm and costs £6.50 – I had a days out 2 for 1 voucher so it is worth looking out for them.