Looking for new museums to visit in London?

You might want to take a look at the Florence Nightingale Museum which will re-open on May 12 following a £1.4million redevelopment, the birth date of the Lady of the Lamp.  Located on London’s South Bank, the transformed Museum marks the centenary of Florence’s death, telling the real story of the woman behind the legend as well as how modern nursing began.

Situated in the grounds of St Thomas’ Hospital on the site where Florence established her very first Nightingale Training School for Nurses, the Museum tells her story via three pavilions, focusing on her Victorian childhood, the Crimean War and her later years as an ardent campaigner for health reform.  The Museum also celebrates the profession of nursing and explores Florence’s legacy to today’s nursing practice.

The Museum features an an interesting collection of Nightingalia, with highlights including the writing slate Florence used as a child; the medicine chest she took to the Crimean war; a rare Register of Nurses which lists the women who served under her in the military hospitals in Turkey and the Crimean; and her pet little Owl Athena who travelled everywhere in her pocket.

Caroline Worthington, Director of the Florence Nightingale Museum, commented:

“This is a special year for Florence and the new Museum is a very fitting tribute to someone who has contributed so much to modern day nursing. Florence has inspired so many men and women to join a profession which we all rely on and it is fascinating to see that the issues she tackled such as hospital hygiene, caring for soldiers and the training of nurses are still hugely relevant today. We are excited about welcoming a wide range of audiences to discover more about this iconic Briton.”

If you’re visiting the museum why not pop into the Wyndham Grand Chelsea Harbour for tea, a bite to eat or even a penthouse house room for the night! Click here for booking inquiries.