About
St Bartholomew's Hospital Museum celebrates Britain's oldest hospital, founded in 1123 by Rahere, a courtier of Henry I. Nearly 900 years of continuous medical care make Barts one of the world's most historic hospitals, and the museum preserves this remarkable heritage. Located within the stunning 18th-century Great Hall and North Wing, the museum itself occupies architecturally significant spaces designed by James Gibbs.
Collections include medical instruments spanning centuries, paintings by William Hogarth decorating the Great Staircase, archives documenting nine centuries of healthcare, and items relating to medical pioneers who worked at Barts.
Highlights include Hogarth's magnificent murals 'The Pool of Bethesda' and 'The Good Samaritan', historic surgical instruments, material about pioneering surgeon John Abernethy, nursing memorabilia, and items documenting the hospital's survival through the Great Fire of London, the Blitz, and modern healthcare changes.
The museum showcases how Barts has remained at the forefront of medical innovation while preserving its monastic origins and historic buildings.
Visitors gain insights into medieval medicine, Victorian surgery, nursing history, and modern medical breakthroughs.
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Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Weekday mornings for peaceful viewing of Hogarth paintings
💡 Visitor Tips
- Don't miss the Hogarth paintings - they're exceptional and free to view
- Photo ID required for security when entering hospital grounds
- Free entry but donations vital for this NHS-run museum
- Combine with visit to St Bartholomew the Great church next door
- The Great Staircase is architecturally magnificent even without the Hogarths
- Book guided tour to access areas not in regular museum route
- Smithfield Market nearby is fascinating (best early morning for atmosphere)
- Britain's oldest hospital still providing cutting-edge healthcare - remarkable continuity
Highlights
Hogarth's Great Staircase Murals
William Hogarth's magnificent 1736-37 paintings 'The Pool of Bethesda' and 'The Good Samaritan' adorning the Great Staircase. These monumental works, donated by Hogarth (a governor of the hospital), are masterpieces of 18th-century British art depicting healing and compassion. The only murals Hogarth ever painted.
Medieval Foundation Story
The remarkable story of Rahere, Henry I's courtier who founded Barts in 1123 after a near-death experience abroad. Medieval documents, seals, and materials tell how a hospital and priory grew from his vision to serve London's sick poor.
Historic Surgical Instruments
Collections of surgical instruments from different eras showing the evolution of surgery from brutal necessity to refined science. Includes amputation sets, trepanning equipment, and early anaesthetic apparatus.
John Abernethy Collection
Materials relating to John Abernethy (1764-1831), pioneering surgeon at Barts who advanced surgical techniques and medical education. His lectures attracted students from across Europe.
Collections
Collections span 900 years including medieval documents and seals, surgical instruments from 16th-20th centuries, apothecary equipment and drug jars, nursing uniforms and equipment, paintings and prints including Hogarth's masterworks, photographs documenting hospital life and buildings, archives including patient records and administrative documents, and items relating to medical staff and pioneers.
The archives are among Britain's most important medical history resources.
Explore the diverse collections housed in this museum.
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.