Florence Nightingale Museum, Medical history museum in South Bank, London
Description
The Florence Nightingale Museum is a medical history museum in South London housed within the original St Thomas' Hospital building. The collection displays nursing tools, personal items, and records that show how hospital care and patient treatment evolved over time.
History
The museum opened in 1982 to mark the location where Nightingale founded a pioneering nursing training school in 1860 following her experiences during the Crimean War. That school set the foundation for how nurses were trained professionally throughout Britain and beyond.
Culture
The museum shows how nursing became a respected profession and shaped daily hospital life during the Victorian era. Visitors see the actual spaces where Nightingale trained her first nurses and witness how care for patients fundamentally changed.
Practical
The museum is just a short walk from Waterloo Station, making it easy to reach by public transport. The building has multiple floors with stairs, so wearing comfortable shoes helps when exploring all the exhibits.
Did you know?
The collection preserves the actual oil lamp Nightingale carried during her night rounds, along with her medicine chest and a preserved pet bird. These personal objects bring her daily work to life and reveal small details about how she operated.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (London Borough of Lambeth).
London Dungeon
282 m
National Covid Memorial Wall
181 m
Westminster Bridge
314 m
County Hall
207 m
London Necropolis railway station
523 m
Millbank Tower
1.1 km
Sea Life London Aquarium
292 m
Statue of Mary Seacole
95 m
Dome of Discovery
383 m
Astley's Amphitheatre
57 m
South Bank Lion
176 m
Dalí Universe
263 m
Westminster Millennium Pier
435 m
London Eye Pier
404 m
Canterbury Music Hall
314 m
Statue of Robert Clayton
219 m
Revolving Torsion
139 m
Statue of Edward VI
106 m
Statue of Edward VI
193 m
IKLECTIK
225 m
International Brigades Memorial
365 m
South of the River
90 m
Fifteen Public Benches On Embankment Footpath Between Lambeth Bridge And Westminster Bridge
214 m
South Wing At St Thomas' Hospital Excluding Post 1926 Courtyard Infill Buildings
337 m
River Wall With 36 Lamp Standards Between Lambeth Bridge And Westminster Bridge
181 m
Approximately 250 Metres Of River Wall With 19 Lamp Standards Immediately West Of The County Hall
255 m
Wall Along Western Boundary Of St Thomas' Hospital
268 m
Balustrade With 5 Lamp Standards Immediately North Of Main Block Of The County Hall
318 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes