Royal London Hospital Museum
Royal London Hospital Museum
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Neighborhood: Whitechapel
Whether you're here for its dynamic street life, world class galleries or famed curry houses, you're bound to be wowed by the uniquely cosmopolitan flavor of Whitechapel. Long gone are the days when Jack the Ripper stalked its streets. And despite his mysterious legacy bringing throngs of curiosity driven tour groups to its back alleys and otherwise serene garden squares, these days you're more likely to catch a cutting edge fashionista scurrying through its age old lanes than criminals of any sort.
How to get there
- Whitechapel • 4 min walk
- Whitechapel • 4 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
60 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
22
Average
5
Poor
2
Terrible
2
ianwyj
Singapore5,197 contributions
Dec 2022
My son had read The Elephant Man as a school assignment, so we figured that it would be useful for him to put the face to the name, so to speak. It wasn't difficult to find, just a 5-minute walk from Whitechapel station, on a small street in the middle of the buildings making up the Royal Hospital campus. The museum was pretty small, and contained the things you'd expect in a medical museum, including photos, history, old or historial medical books and equipment. Pride of place goes to the exhibits pertaining to Joseph Merrick, the hospital's most famous patient. A replica of his deformed skeleton and the cap he wore to hide his face were on display. The best part - there's no entrance fee.
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandygranny
Sandy, UK966 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
Within the Royal London Hospital, the Royal London Museum documents the history of the hospital and the most notable cases treated there. Surgical instruments and old uniforms make for atmospheric displays but the venue is perhaps most known for its showcase on forensic medicine, which includes original material related to the Jack the Ripper murders and its association with Joseph Merrick, the ‘Elephant Man’.
Joseph Merrick spent the last four years of his life in a specially adapted room within the hospital, helped by surgeon Sir Frederick Treves, who saved him from a sideshow life. He had been in a great deal of pain for most of his life and Sir Frederick cared for him until his death in 1890. Some of his personal effects are on display, as well as a cardboard model of the Cathedral of Mainz which he made as a gift.
We had a fascinating visit and also saw some interesting displays of Britain’s most important historical medical people, including Florence Nightingale and Edith Cavell.
Joseph Merrick spent the last four years of his life in a specially adapted room within the hospital, helped by surgeon Sir Frederick Treves, who saved him from a sideshow life. He had been in a great deal of pain for most of his life and Sir Frederick cared for him until his death in 1890. Some of his personal effects are on display, as well as a cardboard model of the Cathedral of Mainz which he made as a gift.
We had a fascinating visit and also saw some interesting displays of Britain’s most important historical medical people, including Florence Nightingale and Edith Cavell.
Written September 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RubenB74
Los Angeles, CA27 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
One of the highlights of our first trip to London. Even walking through the campus really peaks your interest. This place is small, but definitely worth the visit. The displays are very well presented and informative. Great souvenir cards too.
Written September 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maddy808
Seaton Delaval, UK287 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
Hidden away in Whitechapel this is well worth a trip if you are remotely interested in medicine through time. You might miss this if you aren't paying attention so keep your eyes peeled when you are en route. The artefacts in the cabinets tell an amazing story and it is fascinating to see how medicine has changed over time. By far the most intirguing part for us was the Elephant Man display and the accompanying video. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area or have time to spare or are interested in medicine!
Written February 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MARYLOUESSEX
ESSEX163 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Than goodness for advances in technology. Some of the medical instruments on display make your toes curl. One such set are for the use in amputation, if you didn't die of shock or blood loss, the chances are you would die of infection introduced to the body from unsterilized instruments.
The John Merrick (The Elephant Man ) exhibition is very interesting & to think that this poor man actually lived in the hospital for the last couple of years of his life. A replica of his skeleton & the veiled hat he wore is on show.
There is a small section on Edith Cavell, who trained as a nurse in the Royal London Hospital & was executed by the Germans in the first world war, I think there could have been more on show about this remarkable woman. None the more for that this little museum is well worth a visit, & it's free, although it is well worth making a donation
The John Merrick (The Elephant Man ) exhibition is very interesting & to think that this poor man actually lived in the hospital for the last couple of years of his life. A replica of his skeleton & the veiled hat he wore is on show.
There is a small section on Edith Cavell, who trained as a nurse in the Royal London Hospital & was executed by the Germans in the first world war, I think there could have been more on show about this remarkable woman. None the more for that this little museum is well worth a visit, & it's free, although it is well worth making a donation
Written October 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wingate
London, UK2,546 contributions
Feb 2011
This is a small museum which is based in a former crypt at the rear of the hospital.There are a number of display cases with explanatory panels setting out the history of the hospital.Various aretfacts are displayed in the cabinets.There are explanatory signs in the cabinet describing the exhibits.unfortuantely some are at knee high level which is a bit difficult to read ,if like me you have a bad back.In one corner there is a display case devoted to Jack The Ripper.The murders occured close to the hospital.There are a couple of drawings of a victim by a doctor from the hospital.One of the drawings is not for the squeamish.It took me half an hour to get round.Now if you are in the area or you are interested in the history of the hospital or medcine or nursing this is a museum that will interest you.If you are a tourist in London this is not a museum which it is worth making a special effort to see.
Written March 1, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G L
Chicago19 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
I went on a Tuesday and then again on a Thursday. Both times it was closed despite what the sign indicating the hours read.
Written May 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina I
Cirencester, UK227 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Signposted near the hospital this small museum gave a fascinating insight into the elephant man whose skeleton is replicated here (the real one is reserved for the medical profession only). A running documentary on his life and death in the hospital and friendship with his doctor gave a reflective opportunity to see how he suffered during his short life. Other artefacts show early life at the hospital, some victorian jack the ripper associated forensic equipment and operating tools. This took us no more than 30-45 mins but was a fascinating way to spend time and learn if you are in the area. Highly recommend - the museum is free but donations encouraged.
Written June 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fionamlj
Tiverton, UK134 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
A small museum crammed full of the history of the London Hospital in Whitechapel. Set in a church next to the hospital, it carefully explains the history of the hospital including Edith Cavell and Princess Alexandra. Letters from Jack the Ripper and the story of John Merrick (the elephant man) are amongst the the amazing things we found inside this exquisite museum which is only a10 minute walk from Whitechapel Station.
Written September 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nina C
Souldrop, UK485 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
If you are in the area do pop in. I would not make a special visit from further afield.
It gives good insight in to the history of nursing and children's medicine.
A little history in famous people such as Florence Nightingale and the Elephant man.
History in operations and disease.
I would say that an hour is ample.
It does not cost anything but you can make a donation.
It gives good insight in to the history of nursing and children's medicine.
A little history in famous people such as Florence Nightingale and the Elephant man.
History in operations and disease.
I would say that an hour is ample.
It does not cost anything but you can make a donation.
Written July 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Voglio sapere se li si trova bambina di nome Tim Brenda?e se e li ,che problema ha?
Laura Woodman-Ralph
Swansea, UK23 contributions
How much does entry cost?
66396639
Aalborg, Denmark3 contributions
It’s free:)
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Claim your listingRoyal London Hospital Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Royal London Hospital Museum
- Royal London Hospital Museum is open:
- Fri - Fri 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
- Fri - Fri 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near Royal London Hospital Museum:
- (0.02 mi) Vilenza E1
- (0.11 mi) New Road Hotel
- (0.12 mi) The Whitechapel Hotel
- (0.21 mi) Holiday Inn London - Whitechapel, an IHG Hotel
- (0.28 mi) Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity London, Aldgate Tower Bridge
- Restaurants near Royal London Hospital Museum:
- (0.11 mi) Mr. White's English Chophouse
- (0.07 mi) Good Samaritan
- (0.12 mi) Sahara Grill Whitechapel
- (0.11 mi) Needoo Grill
- (0.11 mi) Shalamar Kebab House
Royal London Hospital Museum Information
Excellent Reviews | 29 |
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Very Good Reviews | 22 |
Royal London Hospital Museum Photos | 58 |