Anaesthesia Heritage Centre
the story of how we stopped the pain
A small, surprisingly fascinating free museum near Regent's Park tracing the history of anaesthesia and pain relief.
Free to visit · Marylebone · Regent's Park · W1B 1PY
Opening: Open weekdays by arrangement, check ahead
On grand Portland Place, the Association of Anaesthetists keeps a small free museum dedicated to one of medicine's quiet miracles, the conquest of pain. The collection runs from early ether and chloroform equipment through gas masks and breathing machines to the kit that makes modern surgery survivable.
It sounds dry and is anything but. The objects tell a very human story of bravery, experiment and the moment surgery stopped being torture, and it is all free. A short, thoughtful and genuinely surprising stop for anyone curious about how medicine got here.
Getting there: On Portland Place, a short walk from Regent's Park or Great Portland Street stations.
Best time to go: A weekday visit, calling first as opening can be limited.
Insider tip: Opening can be limited, so check or email ahead before visiting. It is a quick stop, easily paired with a walk in Regent's Park or the free RIBA building nearby on the same street.
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide