Old Operating Theatre
Hidden in the roof of a church, a 300 year old herb garret houses the only surviving 19th century operating theatre, complete with wooden operating table and observation stands, from which spectators witnessed surgery performed without anaesthesia or antiseptics. The oak beamed garret was also used for the storage and curing of medicinal herbs.
Visit www.thegarret.org.uk for more information.
Museum Details
Old Operating Theatre, Museum and Herb Garret
9a St Thomas's Street
London
SE1 9RY
Tel. 020 7188 2679
Open daily 10:30-17:00
Closed 15 December-5 January
Admission charge
Other Information
Disabled access limited
London Bridge 
London Bridge 
17, 21, 22a, 35, 40, 43, X43, 47, 48, 133, 344, 501, 505, 521, P3, P11, E1, D11
Latest News from the Old Operating Theatre Museum
EXPLORING THE INVISIBLE
December 4th-7th
Special talk December 8th 6.30 pm
A unique live installation and exhibition called "Exploring the Invisible" opens on December 3rd, displaying people and objects photographed using the natural light emitted by certain strains of bacteria.
Bioluminescent bacteria are widely used in scientific research, usually as internal markers. By inverting this practice and employing bacteria as an external light source, objects and bodies, surfaces and skin are exposed to the soft ethereal glow of the bacteria, establishing new points of contact and visual punctures.
The project is a collaboration between artist Anne Brodie, microbiologist Dr Simon Park and curator Dr Caterina Albano. It is funded by an Engaging Science Arts Award from the Wellcome Trust.
Using a strain of bioluminescent bacteria called Photobacterium phosphoreum,
the team has produced a series of portraits of objects, including some of Joseph Lister’s personal papers.
The project culminates in a live installation of work within the herb garret for one night only, and human photographic projections onto the ancient operating table at
the Old Operating Theatre, St Thomas Street, London SE1.
On December 8, the team will give a talk about their work at the Old Operating Theatre.
PLEASE NOTE:
We strongly advise booking, as places are limited and often in great demand.
HALLOWEEN HALF TERM HORROR!
For All.....
The Witches's Kitchen
Tuesday 27th October at 2pm
& Saturday 31st October (Halloween) at 3pm
There has always been a strong fascinating relationship between herbs, folklore and even witchcraft in this country and in the rest of the world. Wise women and shamans often took the role of doctors in tribes and small rural villages using herbal remedies to cure physical and supernatural afflictions.
From the mandrake's scream to witches unguent, join us for a talk on medicine & magic among the smells and spells of our atmospheric garret.
For Children....
The Ghost Ward Trail
An eerie exploration of mysterious medicine. Take a map and follow the trail around the museum to uncover the horrors of the hospitals of the past....
Macabre Medicine
Tuesday 27th October at 11am and 3pm
Wednesday 28th October at 11am, 2pm and 3pm
Friday 30th October at 11am, 2pm and 3pm
Saturday 31st October - Halloween - at 11am
Stories and activities for young witches and warlocks...will the ghostly grey lady appear?
For the Adults.....
Tales of the Bodysnatcher
Saturday 24th October at 2pm
Nineteenth Century surgical techniques advanced with knowledge gained by anatomical dissection. At a time when criminals were dissected and voluntary body donation was rare, a shortage of material arose. In the darkness, over the cemetery wall, came the solution. The Bodysnatcher. Not suitable for the under 12s
WITCHCRAFT, Women & Wickedness - a talk by Michael Doolan
Thursday 29th October from 6pm-8pm This talk will discuss Anthropological approaches to magic and ritual. Ideas from psychoanalysis will be used in an exploration of witchcraft as an historical and contemporary social phenomenon
This talk is not suitable for children. It contains material that some people may find upsetting
4th - 7th December
8th December; A talk by the artist
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