Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret, London

This exceptional 19th-century operating theater, the oldest surviving one in Europe, has its origins dating back to 1822. It emerged within the expansive herb garret of the 17th-century Saint Thomas's Church, situated atop what is now a part of the namesake hospital. This English Baroque church was originally a component of the hospital, founded in the 12th century as a monastery with a mission to care for the sick; however, in 1862, the hospital relocated to its current Lambeth location, leading to the closure of the operating theatre. It remained abandoned until 1956 when it underwent restoration and was outfitted to mirror its appearance in the early 19th century, a time predating the discovery of both antiseptics and anesthetics.

Visitors today can observe artifacts from early-19th-century medical practice, including the wooden operating table positioned beneath a skylight, the box of sawdust underneath meant for absorbing blood, and the surrounding tiers of seats where students once gathered to witness surgical procedures. On Saturdays at 10am, there are demonstrations of pre-anesthetic surgical practices, using the knives, pliers, and handsaws that constituted the surgeon's toolkit during that era (not suitable for the faint-hearted or young children). Access to the theater involves ascending a 52-step spiral staircase, although elevator access can be arranged in advance. Adjacent to the theater is a meticulously recreated 17th-century Herb Garret, featuring displays of the medicinal herbs utilized by Saint Thomas's apothecary. Be sure to book your visit in advance, as admission is by timed ticket only.