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London’s Millennia of Medical Progress Private Historical Tour

Location London, England, United Kingdom
$192.62
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after they redeem the gift voucher.

Overview

Nowhere in the world has been quite so important in the field of medicine than London. Historically, if only for its long history filled with disasters and diseases, but in the last few centuries it has also been the home of science and some of the most incredible jumps in medicine and healthcare anywhere on Earth.

This tour will visit plenty of sites that have helped change the world as well as visiting some of the spots that were home to some of the countless medical and social problems in history. In many ways, this tour isn’t just a Medical History Tour but also a fabulous alternative tour of London.

We will see where vaccines and medicines were invented, visit the first operating theatres, orphanages, social care, mental institutions and hospitals in the western world. Follow in the footsteps of medical pioneers and visit the sights of some of the biggest healthcare disasters and underhand medical events as we go from the herbal medicine & crusaders to COVID-19 & the modern day.

The experience offers several options. This price includes:

London’s Millennia of Progress: A Medical History – Bodysnatchers to Vaccines!
Pickup included
Tour guide
Language: English
Human tour guide
Duration: 4 hours

Availability depends on seasonality and number of participants. Bookings can not be made for the same day. Please read our TnC’s.

When giving as a gift, your recipient can choose a date at their convenience during a booking process. Otherwise, you can choose one after checkout and voucher redemption.
Check available dates by emailing us at [email protected]
The experience offers several options, check yours above
  • Private Guided Tour
  • Underground tickets are not included (£7.40 per adult)

Meeting point
We meet at the Russel Square
Return details
We end at the oldest hospital in the Western World with great onward connections by London Underground or bus.

  • Bloomsbury
    We start off in beautiful Bloomsbury famed for its garden squares and creative spirit with a history of philanthropy
  • The Foundling Museum
    Learn the incredible story of how this pioneering children's facility was created by a hardened Yorkshire sailor. (Entry availability able if you pick the relevant option).
  • The world leading children's hospital with its little known connection to Peter Pan.
  • This small garden square is where Florence Nightingale set up her pioneering company of nurses before the Crimean War.
  • St Giles-in-the-Fields Church
    Sat in the midst of what was a terrible rookery, these are where the first cases of the Plague were recorded in London.
  • Soho Square
    Whilst also the home of big names such as Paul McCartney and various showbiz offices it is here we will find the home of Mary Seacole.
  • John Snow Saloon
    This wonderful old pub is named after the doctor who deduced how bacteria and germs were spreading through the water supply. His famous water pump survives in the street.
  • Carnaby Street
    As we transition from one leg of the tour to the next, we will pass through the epitome of 60's London, Carnaby Street.
  • Statue of Edward Jenner
    We will visit the Edward Jenner statue in the beautiful Italian gardens of Hyde Park and learn about the man who invented vaccines.
  • We will walk through Paddington to see the spot where the first Antibiotics were discovered.
  • Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
    The oldest surviving operating theatre in the world is all that remains of this old hospital (Entry included if option booked).
  • London Bridge
    Get a great view of the City of London as we move towards the next leg of our tour.
  • The Monument to the Great Fire of London
    We will pass right by this impressive monument to the biggest disasters to ever hit London.
  • St Olave's Church
    This church has an incredible history and was in a plague hotspot. The beautifully kept garden inside is full of old medicinal herbs that would have been used in the days before modern hospitals.
  • This old water pump has an infamous history and sparked a major public health crisis in Victorian times. Don't get the hump!
  • Aldgate Square
    It all looks hunky dory on top now after the recent landscaped gardens but underneath are countless bodies from the plague.
  • Soup Kitchen for the Jewish Poor
    We will visit the outside of this pioneering old soup kitchen in the heart of the East End of London.
  • Norton Folgate Alms Houses
    These ancient Alms Houses are still operating and helping those in need just as they have done for centuries.
  • Spitalfields Charnel House
    These ruins were only found underground a few years ago and once contained the bones of thousands of victims of famine.
  • Old Spitalfields Market
    It's long been a funky market but centuries ago this whole area was one of medical recuperation.
  • Liverpool Street Station
    Before we pop on the tube to our final leg of the tour we will visit the spot of the first hospital for those suffering from mental health issues. It's bedlam!
  • Cripplegate is a place where the infirm would gather as it was believed that they would be healed by divine powers. We will see the Tower Of St Elsyng Spital, the ruins of an early medieval hospital.
  • Postman's Park
    On our way to our final destination we will pass through the beautiful and melancholic Postman's Park
  • Saint Bartholomew's Hospital Museum
    We will visit parts of the oldest hospital in the Western World and if you book the optional entry at booking (only open some days) then we can look in this fascinating old hospital museum.
  • WIlliam Wallace Memorial
    In this place of executions we will learn of the local body snatchers trade that though highly illegal helped doctors advance medical science.
  • Church of St. Bartholomew the Great
    We end this tour inside the truly ancient and magnificent Church of St Bartholomew the Great and visit the tomb of Rahere, the man who having almost died on his travels, had a vision of Saint Bartholomew and keeping to the promise he made to the Saint, returned to London to found not just this beautiful church but our first hospital which will be 900 years old in 2023.

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
  • How it works?
    01 You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
    02 We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
    03 Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!

    London’s Millennia of Medical Progress Private Historical Tour

    Location London, England, United Kingdom
    $192.62
    This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after they redeem the gift voucher.
    How it works?
    01 You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
    02 We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
    03 Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!
    Delivery options
    eVoucher
    • Free
    • Instant delivery
    • Environmentally friendly
    Physical Gift Box
    • $10.00 fee
    • 2-5 business days
    • Shipping Worldwide

    No expiration date
    Easy refund
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