Fascinating History of Nursing and the Crimean War (Florence Nightingale Museum (London))

Member Name: janharper

Product:	Florence Nightingale Museum (London)
Date:	21/05/09 (22 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Interesting

Disadvantages: Expensive for a family

The Florence Nightingale Museum is situated at St, Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1.

It's one of those places that I had heard of but never had the opportunity to visit. I was actually at St. Thomas' so I decide it might be worthwhile taking a look and I wasn't disappointed.

Florence Nightingale is famous for the huge impact she made on modern nursing practise.

This museum covers the Crimean War and her tremendous contribution to caring for the wounded and her dedication to her vocation.

Admission is £5.80 which sounds quite a lot, but I thought it was worth it as it not something that I will probably ever do again.

A family ticket for 4 is £16. Opening times are 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4.30pm on bank holidays. There is wheelchair access for anyone who requires it, although the entire museum is on ground level.

There is such a lot inside. For the kids there's special section where they can find out about Florence Nightingale in an easily understood and understandable way. (The web site at www.florence-nightingale.co.uk has lots of useful information.)

There is a cafe and a restaurant in the hospital grounds and lots more along the South bank and around nearby Waterloo Station.

There is a permanent collection here including things that belonged to Florence Nightingale like her slate, a Turkish lantern that she used in the Crimea. There is also a register of nurses who were sent to the Crimea and many other reminders of the Crimean War.

The museum is not just a collection of Florence Nightingale memorabilia, it traces the history of nursing and the brave women who helped to develop it to days high standards.

This is a fascinating place to go.

Summary: Worth a visit but allow yourself plenty of time. Two hours was not enough for me.