Hunterian Museum

Wellcome Collection

World's most significant pharmaceutical heritage collection built on Henry Wellcome's pharmaceutical empire, housing over 1 million objects including 17,500 magic-medical items, 35,000+ pharmaceutical literature pieces, and global pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment. The Wellcome Collection, located in London's Bloomsbury district, stands as one of the world's premier destinations for exploring the intersection of medicine, life, and art. Founded from the vast collection of pharmaceutical entrepreneur and philanthropist Henry Wellcome (1848-1936), this free museum and library houses an extraordinary array of medical artifacts spanning centuries of human health and healing practices. The collection encompasses everything from ancient surgical instruments and medieval manuscripts to contemporary artworks exploring themes of illness, treatment, and the human condition. Visitors can explore galleries featuring historical pharmacy equipment, rare pharmaceutical texts, anatomical specimens, and thought-provoking exhibitions that challenge conventional perspectives on medicine and society. The museum's distinctive approach combines historical medical artifacts with contemporary art installations, creating a unique cultural experience that bridges past and present understanding of health and medicine. Notable highlights include Wellcome's original collection of pharmaceutical curiosities, interactive displays on the history of drug discovery, and rotating exhibitions that examine medicine's role in different cultures and time periods. The beautifully restored Edwardian building features soaring galleries with original architectural details, complemented by modern exhibition spaces designed to enhance the visitor experience.