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London’s Millennia of Medical Progress Private Historical Tour

3 Reviews 4.67 out of 5 stars Based on 3 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| London, England
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from $101.86 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
In the footsteps of the legendary John Snow
The oldest surviving operating theatre
The man who started 'modern' medicine.
Inside St Bartholomew The Great
The oldest surviving hospital in the western world
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 31 (0) days in advance.
4 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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.

What's Included

  • Private Guided Tour
  • Underground tickets are not included (£7.40 per adult)
See 1 more

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

We can usually pick up from any Central London (Zone 1 TFL Map) hotel and travel by Underground to the tour starting point.

OR
Meeting point

Bernard Street
London WC1N 1LJ, UK

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

57A West Smithfield
London EC1A 9DS, UK

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Bloomsbury

We start off in beautiful Bloomsbury famed for its garden squares and creative spirit with a history of philanthropy
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35 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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).
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Great Ormond Street

The world leading children's hospital with its little known connection to Peter Pan.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Queen Square

This small garden square is where Florence Nightingale set up her pioneering company of nurses before the Crimean War.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Included

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.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Paddington

We will walk through Paddington to see the spot where the first Antibiotics were discovered.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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).
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

London Bridge

Get a great view of the City of London as we move towards the next leg of our tour.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The Monument to the Great Fire of London

We will pass right by this impressive monument to the biggest disasters to ever hit London.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Aldgate Pump

This old water pump has an infamous history and sparked a major public health crisis in Victorian times. Don't get the hump!
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Aldgate Square

It all looks hunky dory on top now after the recent landscaped gardens but underneath are countless bodies from the plague.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Norton Folgate Alms Houses

These ancient Alms Houses are still operating and helping those in need just as they have done for centuries.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Spitalfields Charnel House

These ruins were only found underground a few years ago and once contained the bones of thousands of victims of famine.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Old Spitalfields Market

It's long been a funky market but centuries ago this whole area was one of medical recuperation.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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!
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Cripplegate Street

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.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Postman's Park

On our way to our final destination we will pass through the beautiful and melancholic Postman's Park
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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.
Read more

10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Show 25 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the London’s Millennia of Medical Progress Private Historical Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-8607P87

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.67
3 reviews

Average 4.67 out of 5 stars based on 3 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
2
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
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1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 31 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the London’s Millennia of Medical Progress Private Historical Tour?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Private Guided Tour.
The following is NOT included:
  • Underground tickets are not included (£7.40 per adult).
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 9..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the London’s Millennia of Medical Progress Private Historical Tour is as follows:

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for London’s Millennia of Medical Progress Private Historical Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Private Guided Tour
  • Underground tickets are not included (£7.40 per adult)

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Report Product Issue

Activity name