Follow the River Thames to trace the history of hospitals and ill health from the medieval world to the golden Elizabethan Age

When is a hospital not a hospital? Why are the nurses of the past suspicious persons? What is the real meaning of ‘goosebumps’?

Take a journey through historic Bankside and Old Southwark to discover more than a millennium of medical history, and find the answers to these intriguing questions and many others.

One of our most popular tours, our route takes us through the ancient heart of St Thomas’s and Guy’s hospitals and passed many of London’s most fascinating landmarks from The George Tavern to Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, The Golden Hinde and Clink Prison, concluding at Shakepeare’s Globe Theatre.

Along the way will discover stories of plague, pox and pest-ridden food. How hospitals, cures and clinical staff have changed unrecognisably through time and what life was really like in the London of Chaucer and Shakespeare.

Using art, architecture, history and geography as our guides, we reveal the truly fascinating story of medieval and Renaissance medicine. All in one of the most awe inspiring settings in the world.

For tour dates click here to visit Our Calendar page To arrange a private group tour any time contact us by email at discovermedicallondon@gmail.com

The walk commences outside Science Gallery near London Bridge (for directions click here)  and lasts around 2½ hours

The tour costs from £16 per person.

“From the Surgeon’s Theatre to Shakespeare’s” is available as a private tour at any time by prior arrangement, subject to a minimum charge.

For further details or to make a group booking for a private tour please contact us at  discovermedicallondon@gmail.com

* On occasion access to Science Gallery may be limited due to events or building works.

Click here for a map and directions to the Science Gallery