The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret

Imagine you were sick, gall stones, and you had to have an operation where a thin metal rod was stuck into your *ahem* and a small incision to be made behind your *ahem* to get them out. Now imagine that I told you the operation would be without anaesthetic. And because of that there will be men holding you down. And there will probably be about 150 medical students watching. But it'll be over really fast ,45 seconds in fact. That's not so bad is it? Did I mention the blindfold?

Try not to think about the red stain on the pulled out part of the operating table...

Hidden in an old church attic, lost for almost hundred years is a small old operating theatre. It used to belong to the female ward of the St Thomas hospital before the hospital moved and its grounds sold to the railway companies.

Entrance to the Old Operating Theatre - no the patients did not come up this way.

The theatre has been on my list of things to see in London for a while and a couple of weekends ago I finally managed to visit. I was even more fortunate to be squeezed in to the lecture which was booked out (there were a couple of no shows). The lady giving the talk was brilliant, she made a few grown men cringe and kids squirm.

One of the knives used for amputation

She talked about a couple of operations back when the operating theatre was in use, one an amputation another a gallstone removal - both operations would have been held at midday, to make full use of the natural light from the skylight. She also spoke about how medicine was viewed, how operations were about taking things away from the body because it was all about doing things fast, before anaesthetic began to be used and it could slow down. She spoke about how the theatre was found, like a little time capsule, years later. It was fascinating.

Ready to saw off that leg?

Even the operating table itself had so many unique features - firstly this was pre-recognition of germs...hence wood. It had grooves for the blood to trickle down and was quite low so the men holding patients down would be gravity assisted. Can you guess what the elevated head piece was for?

After the talk I had a look around the small herb garret which had been used for drying herbs used in medicines of the time before a patients recovery room. There were displays of doctors instruments, old medical equipment, pathology, herbs, early medication, an apothecary shop and more. I even came across a small pamphlet talking about a lady named Miranda who, determined to be a doctor, made herself over as a man, named James Barry, became a successful doctor and was buried as a man. Can you imagine that kind of dedication?

Whether your interested in medical history, are a medical student (like some I overheard), like secret and forgotten pieces of the past, or just want to see grown men cringe ;) The old operating theatre is unique and the oldest in Europe.

Anaesthetic masks

A visit costs £6.50 for adults and the Saturday 2pm lecture books out weeks in advance so book early! While you are in the area, you can always pop in to Borough Markets for a bite or a coffee :)

If you cant visit in person, do have a look at their virtual tour, the images from the garret do far better justice to the space than my photos!

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A tiny park with a big heart

Postman's Park is a tiny bit of greenery sandwiched between buildings and street only a few minutes walk from the grand St Paul's Cathedral. I must have walked past it so many times without realising what it was and, being only a few minutes from St Paul's, its really a nice spot to visit if you are in the area, so no excuses!

The park sits on the site of the old churchyard and burial ground - some of the headstones can still be seen on the edges of the park. Might be a bit creepy for some, but that didn't deter me and clearly didn't deter the postmen who used to stop for their lunch break back when the headquarters of the General Post Office was nearby which, incidentally, is how the park got its name. Now its home to office workers taking a break, seeking respite from their day by the side of the softly bubbling fountain and the little fish swimming away in it.

The park is also home to a peculiar memorial. The artist GF Watts wanting to have a memorial for the 'average' person managed, after several suggestions and set-backs, to build a memorial "In commemoration of heroic self sacrifice". On the side of one of the park walls tiled 'plaques' remember ordinary individuals who gave their lives in order to help others. I walked along and read every single one.

I couldn't help being impressed and a little humbled at these ordinary acts of bravery. Children as young as 8, young women, and men as old as 60, are remembered for their sacrifice. My cynical side did wonder if people today are still capable of such incredible kindness. If I was capable. But despite the coldness of commuters, I have seen on many occasions how kind they can be when they need to be.

The little fountain, circular flower beds surrounding the sundial and many benches dotted around the park do make it a cute little place to escape to. Its not very quiet, being off a main street, and its a little bit odd being surrounded by buildings but, all the same, its worth a peek - even if its just to see the memorial. I really don't know of any others that are not associated with remembering soldiers. Not that soldiers shouldn't be remembered, its just nice to see ordinary bravery remembered too, there should be more.

Did I mention that this park caught the attention of Hollywood? Apparently several scenes from Close were shot there - I'm going to have to watch that movie now.

Oh, and in case you haven't seen one yet, an old blue police phone box sits outside the Aldersgate Street entrance :)

What do you think about the memorial? Would you visit?

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Sir John Soane's Museum

Imagine a Victorian terrace in the centre of London that looks on to a leafy green square. If your not paying attention you could easily pass right by this hidden London gem. It looks like all the other houses on the street - except for the line outside.

The Sir John Soane's Museum is one of London's more unique museums, and one of my favourites. I initially visited quite a few years ago and was blown away with what was hidden inside its normal exterior. Egyptian Sarcophagus, shelves of books, a Monks parlour, the clever picture room and more.

Last Tuesday I decided to go back for a visit during their monthly candlelit evenings. Walking into the front room again, the glow of the candles bouncing of the mirrors and glass cabinets overflowing with leather bound books, for a moment it was as though id stepped back in time.

By courtesy of the Trustees of Sir John Soane’s Museum by Derry Moore

About the Museum

Sir John Soane was the son of a bricklayer who became a distinguished architect. He designed and built 12, 13, 14 Lincon's Inn Fields. Number 13 was home to his architectural designs, artifacts and antiquities which he cultivated into an impressive collection during his lifetime. "He established the house as a museum by Act of Parliament (1833) requiring that his romantic and poetic interiors be kept as they were at the time of his death." - soane.org

By courtesy of the Trustees of Sir John Soane’s Museum by Lewis Bush

For a first visit, I'd recommend going during daytime opening hours as its easier to see Soane's collection and clever use of mirrors to light different rooms than it is by candlelight. My favourite part of the house is the picture room, make sure you visit and stick around for the demo - that's all I'm saying. There is a current project to reinstate Soane’s own bedroom, bathroom, oratory, book passage and Model Room and Mrs Soane’s Morning Room so soon enough there will be even more to see.

By courtesy of the Trustees of Sir John Soane’s Museum by Derry Moore

Visiting Sir John Soane's Museum

• Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm
• Free entry :)
• The candlelight openings occur on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 6pm though the line outside starts forming much earlier.
• No photography is allowed.
• Try not to take any bulky or big bags with you.
• Closest tube station is Holborn
• Full address 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP

Have you found a hidden gem in London?

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Things to do in London - Recommendations wanted!

I'm lucky, very lucky. To be living in this amazing city with all sorts of fun things to do at my fingertips is something one usually can only dream of. I have been here since Jan 2012 and have done and seen a lot.

Ive done all your typical touristy stuff...

Visited the Tower of London...

Climbed to the top of Tower Bridge...

Walked in the footsteps of the Royal family at Buckingham Palace...

Seen London through a a glass pod in the London Eye...

Whispered in St Paul's Cathedral...

Ive been to Covent Garden, seen Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre...

Snapped photos of Big Ben and listened to his echoing chime...

Had a pub lunch. Or several. And I've stared down the lions in Trafalgar Square and been to more museums than I can count. Ive also done plenty of day trips from London and travelled for weekends away to Europe. Ive done some wacky things, from running like mad in a city wide treasure hunt, to a Loo Tour, to doing the can-can with perfect strangers. No I wasn't drunk at the time either. For any of them.

What I'd like to do now is dig a little deeper. I want to do those things that are not your average thing to do or place to eat in London. I have started building a list (I have 15 items so far). Quirky restaurants, unusual tours and fun events that you would only find in this city. And here is where you come in. If you have been somewhere or done something I might find interesting, let me know! Drop me an email, let me know via facebook, comment below or tweet me! It can be a cute cafe off the beaten track, your favourite walk, an unusual spot or whatever you like! I'll try almost anything. So, what are you waiting for?

In the meantime, here is my list of things to do in London which i'll keep adding to as I go along.

• ClueQuest - Operation Black Sheep
• The Drowned Man - Temple Studios (Punchdrunk)
• The Royal Courts of Justice 
  

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