Why is there an Operating Theatre Inside a Church?

Originally the church of St Thomas was attached to the south wing of St Thomas Hospital; in fact the wards were built around it.  Back in the day, the closest ward to the church was ‘Dorcas’ which was in fact the ladies surgical ward.  To give you an impression of how things were before 1822, the surgical ward was just that.  The women that needed operations of any sort would be operated on in their bed on the ward, bearing in mind that they were Nightingale wards with many beds, this would not only be a life threatening event for the patient in question but the ‘treatment’ was more than just a little traumatic for the other ladies on the ward.

This procedure of in-situ operations had been practiced for some considerable time, but when the Apothecary’s Act was passed in 1815 it meant that the surgical wards became more crowded as apprentice apothecaries were required to observe the operations taking place.  By relocating the area of surgery to the herb garret in the roof of the church this offered room for the students to observe and provided some relief from the horrors of surgery that patients had previously been forced to witness.  This new operating theatre was purposely built with a skylight being installed in the church roof.  With no ventilation and no form it of heating it was not the most pleasant of venues but it was a leap forward in ‘patient care’.

Pioneering Surgery or Butchery?

Up until 1847 surgeons had to rely on their speed and accuracy in performing procedures.  The new operating theatre did offer some sound proofing from the rest of the wards, as the screams of the surgeon’s patient were blood curdling in the extreme.  With the introduction of anaesthetics in 1847 things became a lot quieter.  This operating theatre was mainly used for amputations and minor surgical procedures.  A good surgeon could remove a leg in a matter of minutes for even the most ‘reluctant’ of patients.  It was still for too dangerous to perform any internal surgery as this was before the introduction of antiseptic and sterile environments.  The operating theatre closed down however before antiseptic surgery was commonplace in hospitals.

The Herb Garret

The church of St Thomas was rebuilt in 1703 with a purposely large roof space which was used the hospitals apothecaries for storing and using their medicinal herbs.  The space proved to be an excellent storage area as the rats were less prone to visit, preferring instead the dark and dank basement areas.  Plus the large wooden rafters that supported the roof were good at absorbing moisture from the fresh herbs.

Attractions

A permanent display illustrating the development of plant life is available to view in the Evolution House.  There are a few models included in the display where original specimens have long since died out, though the majority of plants on display are living example of ancient plants.  The Princess of Wales Conservatory is the most complex habitat at Kew.  With ten distinct climate controlled areas it offers visitors a journey through some of the most beautiful plant life on the planet.

The ‘Dry Tropics’ zone in the conservatory is a representation of the more arid parts of the world and the ‘Wet Tropics’ contain the lush rainforest vegetation and moisture loving plants of the steamy mangrove swamps.  The eight other zones in the conservatory contain micro climates reserved for carnivorous plants, plants of the desert and savannah as well as lush ferns and delicate, but stunning orchids.

Look Out For…

Make a point of stopping to look at the Giant Water Lily; this plant from Asia has leaves that span an immense two metres and are strong enough to support a good 7 or 8 pounds of weight before they sink below the surface.  With the giant lily on the surface of the pond visitors can walk to a lower level to get a fish’s viewpoint of the pond.  Individual tanks here contain poison dart tree frogs, piranha and baby water dragons.  All of these displays show the relationship between the animals and the plant life in their natural environments.

Children will love these displays and you may have trouble dragging them away.  See if you can get the kids to spot the stone plants as they wander through the Princess of Wales Conservatory, these amazing plants disguise themselves as small pebbles so they are not grazed by animals in the parched landscape of Southern Africa.

Enjoy

The fabulous walled gardens of Kew offer a great day out for families of all ages.  Filled with woodlands, incredible, stately Victorian glass houses and beautiful historic buildings there is lots to explore.  The gardens at Kew are an attraction that changes appearance with the seasons which means that a visit in the autumn will offer a totally different environment than that of a visit in the spring.  The colours and scents that greet you as you walk around the gardens change with the time of day and offer sensory delights to all.  The opportunities for photography here are endless and Kew is eager for you to share your pictures of the plants with them.

If you are one of the many who are attracted to the bizarre, the gruesome and the downright strange you will find a lot of exhibits in the Huntarian Museum to be of interest.  The museum is in fact one of the UK’s oldest collections of pathological, anatomical and zoological specimens, all based around the collection started by John Hunter.  There are over 3,500 different fossils, skeletons, medical instruments and works of art in the collection.  The eclectic mix of exhibits also includes the skeleton of the ‘Irish Giant’, Charles Byrne which measures 7’ 7” and has been the subject of recent medial and anthropological debate.

Medical History

The collection belongs to the Royal College of Surgeons and offers some insight into the history of medicine and how it developed within this great old city of London.  Pieces of original pioneering medical equipment can be found such as seventeenth century surgical tools and a pioneering carbolic spay used by Joseph Lister; the very beginning of antiseptics in the surgical environment, and a pivotal point in the history of medicine.

The collection also includes items donated from Edward Jenner the doctor who developed the smallpox vaccination that saved millions of lives, generally regarded as the father of immunology.  Other exhibits include donations from Sir Joseph Banks one of the scientists on the Endeavour with Captain James Cook.  Charles Darwin himself donated the tooth of a ‘Megatherium’ (a Giant Sloth) and Winston Churchill, along a similar vein, donated his dentures.

Exhibitions

There are a number of different themes exhibitions within the museum; some will chart the development of surgery from the gruesome days of the barber-surgeons to today’s state of the art surgical tools.  Others may look at how the understanding of human anatomy developed, from the first charted drawings of the 1640’s to the modern computer generated 3D diagnostic tools.  Things here are not only about medicine though in an exhibition entitled simply ‘Extinct’ there are both images and specimens of a whole range of both long extinct and recently extinct creatures like the woolly mammoth and the Tasmanian Tiger.  The exhibits are also home to remains of one of the most terrifying creatures that even swam the world’s oceans, the prehistoric megalodon shark.

Entry to the museum is free to everybody and there is no charge for entry into any of the exhibitions either.  Past visitors have used words like ‘freaky’, ‘spooky’ and ‘mind boggling’ to describe the range of artefacts on display here.  However it makes you think about the current range of exhibits on display and you will leave the Hunterian feeling very thankful that medicine, and in particular surgery has moved on from the barbarous days of the bask street surgeon and his dirty and rusty tools.

World Influence

The museum sponsors a regular international Churchill Conference with aims to use the experience and methods of Churchill and apply them to modern issues and problems the world over.  The museum does not seek to sway the personal political opinions of its visitors, that is not what this centre is about.  Instead the Churchill Centre is more about educating you about the man, his methods and his insight, and how his influence changed Britain for the better.  You will be able to understand the man a little more by learning about the pressures he faced, the weight that his decisions carried and ultimately how the mantle he wore made him the man he became.  The Churchill Centre has received praise and acclaim from figure heads the world over for the way it represents the man and his methods and motivations.

War Rooms

Beneath the busy streets of London are the Cabinet War Rooms.  People in the city walk overhead, going about their business without any knowledge of what lies beneath the pavements they walk on.  This subterranean  network of rooms was a hive of activity during the Blitz, not only did they protect cabinet ministers and government officials, this is where all wartime operations were recorded, assessed and directed.  Meetings were held here late into the night as the bombing continued overhead, in fact the network of tunnels became a second home to Churchill and many of his cabinet during those difficult war years.

Visiting the war rooms today allows you to step back in history and feel for yourself how it must have felt to be so deep below the surface with the bombs of the blitz exploding in the city overhead.  The equipment in the rooms is still there for you to touch and interact with, allowing you to get a sense of how these rooms were operated and to imagine how they felt filled with people going about the business of war.

Map Room

As you enter the map room you will be entering a moment in time, almost like a freeze frame.  Nothing has been changed in that room since its occupants left in 1945.  All of the charts, maps and notebooks are just as they were left.  This is the room that charted the advance of troops, paths of bombing flights and bases of operations on all of the fronts.  Perhaps if you stand still enough and close your eyes you will still feel the buzz of activity that went on in here, or sense the urgency and the importance of the work that was done here and of course, the major world changing decisions that were made here.  The War Rooms offer a unique experience to today’s visitors.

Facts

The aquarium contains over 2 million litres of water that is home to thousands of marine creatures.  Included in the mix are twelve different species of amazing sharks.  The aquarium is split over three floors all given different themes and zones relating to the marine life held there.  Visitors can get up close and personal with all kinds of creatures here with interactive feeding events and touch pools.

2012 Developments

Previously visitors to the aquarium have had to be content with just looking at the final product of the aquariums hard work, without knowing how the amazing displays had been created.  Now in 2012 things in the aquarium are set to change.  Guided tours will be available to take visitors behind the scenes to learn about how the aquarium staff manage to maintain the individual habitats and care for over 600 different marine species.  Areas that were previously closed to the public will now be opened up so that you can learn about how they research and conserve endangered species and of course how the breeding programmes are managed.

The Future

The aquarium is always looking for new ways to give visitors a unique experience and further develop the facilities on offer.  February 2012 will see the opening of the ‘Shark Reef Encounter’ allowing visitors to learn more about these beautiful and often misunderstood fish.  Opening coincides with the school half term holidays and offers a fabulous holiday activity for all of the family.

The shark walk has also been extended giving visitors the chance to walk inches above a shoal of sixteen amazing sharks along a glass walkway.  The kids will be in awe watching these amazing creatures swim right under their feet.  After the walkway visitors arrive at the pacific experience.  Complete with Easter Island statues this stunning display extends over all three floors.  The Shark Academy will educate and amaze and definitely change a few people’s minds about this amazing species.

Explore

No matter what your favourite creature in the aquarium is from small and colourful ‘Nemo’ like clownfish to the incredible sharks you will have plenty of opportunities to see them all and more.  Children and adults will learn about different species and their habitats and how we need to conserve our natural environments and encourage the preservation of so many species currently at the risk of extinction.  The London Aquarium is a fabulous destination for a family day out, with something for everyone to enjoy no matter what their age.

The Natural History Museum

Recently made famous on British reality TV for being home to the super-spoilt, Chelsea is a hotbed of glamour and opulence.  If you’re looking for society London, you’ll find it here.  Or if you just want to admire beauty and the high life from the sidelines, you’ll be spoilt for choice.  Most commonly grouped with neighbouring (and equally glam) Kensington, read on for your guide about what to see and do in Chelsea.

Natural History Museum

This huge museum is a must-visit for any tourist in London.  It’s free to enter and houses some of Britain’s most famous natural artefacts.  A wise choice would be to visit during the holidays or later on in the day to avoid the troupes of schoolboys and girls traipsing through and making rather more noise than you would like in a museum!  The dinosaur collection is the jewel in this museum’s crown, and the mammal exhibit houses a fascinating Blue Whale.  The temporary exhibits change on a fairly regular basis so there’s always something new to see.

While we’re on the subject of museums, Chelsea is stacked with some of the best London has to offer: the Science Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Army Museum are all more than worth a visit.

The Royal Albert Hall

If you time your visit right, you might be able to catch your favourite band or play at the fabulous Royal Albert Hall.  If you don’t fancy a concert, the building alone is reason enough to visit.  Originally built on behalf of Prince Albert, the idea behind the building was to promote arts and sciences in the area.  The grade I listed building is lit up when night falls and is topped by the most incredible glass and wrought iron dome.  From the outside, it’s a spectacular building and the inside doesn’t disappoint either.

Harrods

A visit to London isn’t complete without a visit to Harrods.  London’s most famous shopping destination, both the interior and exterior of this magnificent building are a sight to behold.  Located in Brompton Road, the store is home to 330 departments in total including women’s clothing, men’s clothing, electronics, sporting equipment, jewellery and housewares amongst many, many others.  There are plenty of cafes dotted throughout the department store, so if your budget can’t quite stretch to some of the rather pricey wares, you can surely spare a couple of pounds for a cup of tea and some great people watching.

Blue Plaques

This tip extends to the entire area.  As you make your way through Chelsea and Kensington (and the rest of the city for that matter), you won’t fail to notice them.  They are affixed to buildings where people of note lived or worked and were founded back in 1866.  Amongst many others, Edward Elgar, Benjamin Britten, Sir Norman Lockyer and Hattie Jacques have been remembered.

There is a website (plaqueguide.com) to guide you through the various plaques that can be found in the area, as well as all over the country.

The Grand Entrance

Quite a sight to behold, the Grand Entrance next to Apsley House is a magnificent collection of fluted Ionic columns.  There are two foot entrances, three carriage entrances and a lodge.  The entrance measures 33 metres long and provides a great backdrop for some tourist snaps!

Speakers’ Corner

Speakers’ Corner is perhaps what Hyde Park is most famous for.  Up in the north east corner near Marble Arch is a dedicated area where discussion, debate and open-air public speaking are allowed to take place.  Many protestors gather here for public speeches and debates upon matters close to their hearts.  In the past, the Corner was frequented by Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx and George Orwell amongst many other speakers of note.  The Corners is definitely worth a visit if you enjoy impassioned speeches about just about anything!

Diana Memorial

A popular site for tourists, the Princess Diana Memorial can be found in the southwest corner of the park.  The monument was designed to express her very spirit, and her love of children.  It was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 6^th July 2004.  The main part of the memorial is a fountain and it’s accessible to all so you’ll enjoy dipping your toes in and watching the children play in the shallow waters.

The Serpentine

Strictly speaking, only the eastern part of the huge lake in Hyde Park is named The Serpentine, but most refer to the entire body of water by this name.  Serpentine Bridge marks the edge of Hyde Park where it turns into Kensington Gardens.  The lake is so named because of the snakelike, curving shape.  There is a rectangular swimming area within the lake on the southern bank.  This is known locally as Lansbury’s Lido and is marked by a line of buoys.  Usually only open in the summer, there is a changing area and swimmers have to pay a small fee to swim there.

You can also hire rowing boats on The Serpentine, a wonderful way to spend a warm afternoon.  There is also the Solarshuttle solar powered boat which is worth a journey on.  The boat takes visitors from the northern bank over to the southern.  It measures 48 feet long and can carry a maximum of 42 passengers, and is a very popular way to see the lake.  However, the Solarshuttle only runs during the summer months.  It’s the largest solar powered passenger boat that is currently operating in the whole of the UK.

There is plenty to experience in Hyde Park and it provides the perfect respite from the busyness of central London.  A pleasant stroll through the park is a must for any visitor to London.

The Blue Elephant, Fulham Broadway

Currently located on the Broadway, this exciting and popular restaurant will be relocating in January 2012 less than ten minutes up the river due to an expired lease on their current property.  Hopefully the new premises will be decked out in a similar fashion as the current décor is one of the big selling points of this Thai restaurant.  Of course, the food is utterly gorgeous too!  The interior of the restaurant is decked out like a tropical rainforest; you’ll be guided over bridges and under trees to your table where you’ll dine on some of the most delicious Thai dishes available in the area.  It’s not the cheapest option but it’s worth splashing out at this fab eatery.

Nahm, Belgravia

Another one for the bottomless wallet, Nahm is located within the exclusive Halkin hotel in upmarket Belgravia.  Decked out like a Thai palace, be ready to splurge as you sample the gorgeous monkfish curry or squid in black ink.  The service is naturally impeccable and the wine list is extensive.  You can go for the £60 per person set menu if you want to know what the bill’s going to look like at the end of your meal!

Thai on the River

A slightly more budget option, Thai on the River is based on the south banks of the River Thames and provides wonderful views over the river while you dine.  Offering what has been touted as ‘the best Thai green curries’ in London (according to several reviewers), the restaurant offers superb food and attentive service for a slightly lower price tag.  If you’re not a fan of Thai green curry, be sure to go for the beef stir fried with fragrant Thai basil and oyster sauce.  If you’re heading to this popular eatery on a balmy evening, sit out by the river for a fabulous al fresco dinner you’ll savour for months to come!

Suksan, Chelsea

Get your glad rags out to dine at this upmarket restaurant in fashionable Chelsea.  The dining room is done in minimalist cream theme with wooden floors and dark oriental furniture.  The roof comes from an original Thai temple – how authentic is that?  It’s a pricey establishment due to the location and the quality of the food so only head there if you’re willing to pay out!  The waiting staff will take good care of you and you’ll certainly be satisfied with what you get for the money.  Be prepared to go all in for three courses as some of the portions can be a little small.

Leicester Square by Day

In the centre of Leicester Square sits a small park which is home to a statue of the great William Shakespeare which is surrounded by dolphins.  At each corner of the park you will find busts of Sir Isaac Newton, William Hogarth, John Hunter and Sir Joshua Reynolds.  Recently, a statue of Charlie Chaplin was also erected in the park.

If you’ve hit the town on a chilly day, you couldn’t be more perfectly placed to while away a couple of hours in the cinema.  Leicester Square is widely heralded as the centre of London’s cinema-land.  The Square regularly plays host to some of the world’s biggest film stars as they tread the red carpet into the Odeon.  So take in a film there and chances are you might end up sitting in the same seat that was once graced by Brad or Angelina.

The Square is also heavily populated by eateries including Burger King, McDonalds, Angus Steakhouse and Bella Pasta.  Plenty for the fast food fix while you’re on the go.

Leicester Square at Night

The Square buzzes just as much at night as it does by day.  Be certain to keep an eye on your possessions as pickpockets are known to operate around this area.  They also target the Square by day but it’s good to be especially vigilant under cover of darkness!  The Square is packed with restaurants, bars and clubs that throb with music and activity into the early hours of the morning.  Head to Ruby Blue for a late dinner then hit the bar or dance floor to enjoy yourselves after dining.  Live pianists and singers perform regularly so you’re guaranteed entertainment while you eat.

If you’re hoping to rub shoulders with the rich and famous, you might be lucky if you spend an evening at Red Cube on Leicester Place.  The bar and club are decked out in fine style and it is rumoured to be popular amongst celebrities.  Party the night away and keep them peeled!

If you’d like to take in a show, you’re in the right place.  Head to Leicester Square Theatre where there’s always something to be seen.  Regular performances from comedians and musicians are interspersed with theatrical productions.  This 400 seat venue with its two bars is the perfect place to spend your evening in Leicester Square.

There are also plenty of shops, markets and stalls (including a winter fair and special celebrations for the Chinese New Year) in the Square and its surrounding areas so it’s definitely worth ear marking a day to explore Leicester Square and everything it has to offer for the inquisitive tourist.

The Royal Observatory

A fantastic district of south London, Greenwich is a popular tourist destination with plenty to offer the discerning visitor.  It’s perhaps best known for its maritime history, being home to the world famous National Maritime Museum.  But there’s so much more!

Royal Observatory

The Royal Observatory was founded in 1675 by Charles II and is home to the only public planetarium in the whole of the United Kingdom.  Some parts of the observatory are free to enter so it’s a relatively low cost day out for you and the family if you stick to the astronomy galleries, the science and astronomy education centre and the Peter Harrison Planetarium.  Amongst the exhibits you will find a 4.5 billion year old meteorite and a bronze cone that is built into the building and points at the North Star.  You will need to pay admission charges to the tours of the night sky in the planetarium but it’s certainly worth it!  With plenty of facilities including the museum café, you can easily while away a few hours here.

The Old Brewery

If you fancy a spot of lunch or dinner, washed down with an unusual artisan beer or two, head straight for the Old Brewery.  The building is home to a microbrewery, pub and café/diner and sits within the newly refurbished Old Royal Naval College.  It’s modern in its design but holds the old traditions of proper pub grub dear, bringing dishes up-to-date with some contemporary twists.  There is a huge outdoor seating area for the finer days and the food is excellent.  Among the many beers from which you can choose, you’ll find the brews that have been lovingly made on site.  Brewed using bottom fermented continental methods, the ‘must tries’ would have to be Helles (a pale lager and Hospital Porter – but watch your consumption, it’s not for the faint hearted!

Greenwich Market

Granted, you’ll stumble across many markets during your time in London, but the Greenwich Market is a particular favourite for some.  Head for Sophia and Matt’s Bags, crammed with accessories made out of funky laminated fabrics.  If you are visiting on Thursdays or Fridays, you’ll find an antique twist going on with the special collectibles market that floods the area.  Hit the market on Thursdays to unearth some real treasures as come Friday, a lot will have been snapped up already.  The Calneva Vintage Stall is really fantastic, if only for the super-funky 50s and 60s homewares and fashion.

Bar du Musee Café

Bang in the heart of the area, the Bar du Musee opened back in 2002 and has become a firm favourite with tourists and locals alike.  The interior is inspired by snug French bistros and the conservatory dining area is home to the best seats in the house.  See if you can bag a comfy Chesterfield sofa!  Or in warmer months, head for the outside decking area and grab a seat amongst those chilling out in the sun.  The menu is seasonal but you can usually find some classics: you simply must try the pan fried sea bass and the French onion soup.  For dessert, it has to be the crème brûlée.