London's hidden historic treasures
The landmarks and attractions with an intriguing past
The Old Operating Theatre's shop sells all manner of weird and wonderful items - © Tove Breitstein
Old Operating Theatre
Britain's oldest surviving purpose-built operating theatre, situated in a herb garret in the roof of St Thomas's Church. Built in 1821 for poor women, the theatre has been restored with original furniture and equipment, including a nineteenth-century operating table, surgical instruments and pathological specimens. The shop sells many strange and wonderful items, including palm-sized furry forms of bacteria, such as the common cold and black death and intriguing books such as 'Chloroform: The Quest for Oblivion'.
Old Operating Theatre Museum, 9a St Thomas St, London, SE1 9RY (7188 2679/www.thegarret.org.uk)
