Old Operating Theatre Museum

As far as creepy and strange things go, I usually try to stay far away from them.

But for some reason, once I found the website for the Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret, I wanted to visit.

As with the Museum of Brands, my National Trust Card also allowed me half price entry here.  Be warned, entry to this museum is up a steep and narrow spiral staircase, so not suitable if you can't manage this.

At the top of the stairs is a small shop, packed with general kids toys and also books etc for adults relating to the theme of the museum.  Up to the next floor and you come to the herb garret, which is packed full of herbs, and jars of body parts, along with explanations of how the herbs might have been used to cure ailments.  This also contains some devices which I can only say look like instruments of torture.  If you follow this trail around, you see some of the surgical equipment that used to be used (truly horrendous looking, some of it) and books and explanatory pamphlets about how certain procedures would be carried out.  Yes, it was pretty gruesome.

Finally you reach the Old Operating Theatre itself.  A photo probably best shows what this is like.

I stood there and imagined how horrible it must have been to lie on a tiny wooden operating table without today's modern anaesthetic, surrounded by students watching what was happening.  I'm sure you can picture the scene also.  It would be quite interesting for school trips also and they do run educational sessions if you wanted to get even more of a feel for things.

Overall, something a bit different, but very definitely wanted a drink afterwards.  The place is not that big though, so don't expect to spend more than about 45 mins to 1 hour there unless you are attending one of the organised sessions or talks.