Facebook Twitter Google News Person TripAdvisor

Please note the Museum is closed from 22 December 2024 to 1 January 2025 inclusive.
Last day open 2024: Saturday 21 December.  First day open 2025: Thursday 2 January.

Blog

200 Years Ago Today 9

History

On 24 May 1815, a Parliamentary enquiry heard details of the fees payable for admission of a patient to Bethlem Hospital

Arrow
Read more

200 Years Ago Today 8

History

On 19 May 1815, a Parliamentary enquiry was told that chains and fetters were only suitable for "pauper lunatics"

Arrow
Read more

200 Years Ago Today 7

History

On 18 May 1815, a Parliamentary enquiry heard Bethlem's apothecary explain his preference for using manacles on patients, rather than strait-waistcoats

Arrow
Read more

200 Years Ago Today 6

History

On 10 May 1815, a Parliamentary enquiry heard how one female patient at Bethlem Hospital had been chained to a wall for five or six years

Arrow
Read more

200 Years Ago Today 5

History

On 9 May 1815, a Parliamentary enquiry heard a call for improvements to conditions at Bethlem Hospital

Arrow
Read more

200 Years Ago Today 4

History

On 8 May 1815, a Parliamentary enquiry questioned Bethlem Hospital's Steward about the 124 patients under the Hospital's care

Arrow
Read more

200 Years Ago Today 3

History

On 5 May 1815, a Parliamentary enquiry heard criticism of Bethlem Hospital's newly constructed building at St George's Fields.

Arrow
Read more

200 Years Ago Today 2

History

On 4 May 1815, a Parliamentary enquiry heard that the only treatment given to patients at Bethlem Hospital was bleeding and purging.

Arrow
Read more

200 Years Ago Today 1

History

On 3 May 1815, a Parliamentary enquiry heard details of the lengthy legal struggle to obtain the release of James Tilly Matthews from Bethlem Hospital. 

Arrow
Read more

Object Lesson IX

Collection

Find out about damage to the Hospital and the experiences of staff and patients during the Second World War.

Arrow
Read more

Mansions in the Orchard: We need to talk about asylum

Events

Listen to a debate exploring the shift from asylum to 'care in the community', with perspectives from researchers, service users and mental health professionals

Arrow
Read more

Object Lesson VIII

Collection, History

Creating the Hospital  Air Raid Precaution (ARP) Squad

Arrow
Read more