Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Hunterian Museum

    4.6 (45 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Hunterian Museum Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Hunterian Museum

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    The museum is wonderfully presented and not overly filled with science jargon. Just enough to make you wonder a bit.
    Olivia T.

    Both the most underrated museum and best early-on date location in London! The Hunterian Museum is actually part of a collection of museums across the UK that have been brought together over four centuries by a cast of colourful characters. They are a fascinating mix of human and animal anatomy and pathology specimens, wax teaching models, surgical and dental instruments as well as paintings, drawings and sculpture. Date-wise, there are so many talking points, and if you accidentally let slip 'I still watch the Simpsons over the News' and think you've blown your chances - no! Because this museum is full of the most weird and embarrassing afflictions you could dream of to help you save face constantly for over an hour. In fact some exhibits are even a little upsetting occasionally (but not as upsetting as an awkward early date - but yes a few exhibits do make you feel a little sad but v fortunate to have the genetics and NHS you were born with). I am a biochemist and aspiring med-student so specimens in display cases and jars are my bread and butter, which makes for some uncomfortable digestion. And though I would recommend it to those in my field a hundred times over, I would suggest it to those unacquainted with biology a thousand times more as it'll be that much more of a surprise. I've been there 4 times in 4 years and it doesn't get any less intriguing :) it's the best.

    Organ Specimens
    Whitney N.

    The focus of this museum is primarily science-based, with their main emphasis on the aspects of both human and animal form - they have one of the largest human anatomy collections in the UK. This translates into plenty of human tissues - everything from layers of skin to fully formed fetuses - floating around in formaldehyde on display in glass jars. This also means that the very idea of visiting Hunterian's niche exhibits grosses most people out simply by reading their descriptions. However, if you have any interest in the human body, or biology, or are merely a non-squeamish individual who is curious and wants a different sort of day out learning about something rather unique and intriguing - the Hunterian is recommended. I should make it perfectly clear that this isn't some tacky wax museum or freakish Ripley's Believe it or Not... everything here is very tastefully presented. The exhibition halls were recently refurbished - it took them two years from start to finish - and you can tell. The space is beautifully laid-out and the specimens aren't remotely garish. The vibe is sort of Victorian/romantic/scientific. To merely say that human tissues are displayed in glass jars really doesn't give you the full effect - it's more like some kind of art installation - there seems to be that level of respect for what's on display. With each piece, even the fetuses, you can read the story behind them - making them more real and human. This is a true educational experience (though I would say, not a kid-friendly one). It's amazing what you can learn from looking at tissues and bones... that you can tell a human's origin by looking at their skull... or how this or that organ functions... the wealth of information here seems endless. And it's guaranteed that you will leave with more appreciation for the body and human form.

    Qype User (astrid…)

    Entering in the rather austere and beautiful main door of the Royal College of Surgeons, I tried my best to look like I was meant to be there, and asked at the front desk for the Hunterian Museum. The nice fellow handed us three visitors' badges and directed us through the gate. John Hunter: collector of anatomical freaks. Recently, the Hunterian was featured on Channel 4's series Genius of Britain, and Lord Professor Robert Winston specifically drew our attention to the 7'7 Irish Giant skeleton, which Hunter bought £130. But this is not all there is the the museum. In a relatively small space, the Hunterian is crammed full of general guides to anatomy (the Evelyn tables were our favourites), anatomical anomalies (such as the Irish Giant), remains ravaged by diseases (bones pocked and worn by syphilis, a skull swollen by hydrocephalus) and plenty of things in formaldehyde. There was also a huge collection of surgical tools (old and new) and videos of various surgeries (some which I was engrossed by, some which I was grossed out by). The Hunterian Museum is located on the first floor of the RCS (entrance via Lincoln's Inn Fields). The nearest tube stations are Holborn and Chancery Lane. They are open Tuesday Saturday, 10am 5pm. They do a guided tour every Wednesday at 1pm. And what's more: it's completely free!

    Gail G.

    If you want to see a lot of weird stuff in jars this is the place for you. We were surprised to several other people here...goths and emos were easily spotted too. Some interesting things to look for: unborn quadruplets, unborn babies at each term of pregnancy, sloth foetus, bumblebee dissection, cross-sections of penises and scrotums, enlarged prostates, the skeleton of the Irish Giant, a room full of paintings of people who have abnormalities that became performers such as the first pair of Siamese twins, Chang and Ang. Overall a very interesting place to visit and free activity in Central London.

    See all

    Photo of Josh B.
    347
    1174
    9128

    10 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mira S.
    141
    1258
    3357

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Olivia T.
    15
    25
    21

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan C.
    412
    1285
    638

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matt E.
    4919
    1676
    8539

    13 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of j k.
    4
    3
    0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Janet H.
    66
    55
    142

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of N W.
    0
    82
    0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Hunterian Museum Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Hunterian Museum

    What i don't like is the fact that they still have the "Irish Giant" (8ft body) on display.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Museums 514 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    The British Museum - At British Museum

    The British Museum

    4.6(1.3k reviews)
    0.5 miBloomsbury

    Huge crowds and it wasn't even a weekend. Reason: free…read more This is equivalent to Natural History ones in US. However, there are historical contexts with british roman empires and other inclusions that makes this place distinct in a variety of ways. There are also kid packet activities- ask front desk. Some areas have uneven heating and cooling so you may be prone to fainting / esp if the ennui alone is not enough to get you there- ha! Place is great for history buffs, though, as it is free- do not expect high end bathrooms and overall exceptional service. Otherwise, 5 stars for being free and for a very elaborate set up.

    British Museum, London, April 5…read more Our family of four with kids ages 9 and 10 spent part of the afternoon at the British Museum as an easy cultural stop during our London stay. Entry to the permanent collection is free and straightforward, with no reservation required, which made it simple to drop in. There are paid special exhibitions, but the main museum itself is open access. Arrival and First Impressions Entry to the building was very easy, and once inside the scale is immediate. The Great Court sets the tone right away, and everything feels larger and more layered than expected. Even just orienting yourself takes a moment because of how expansive the space is. Getting in was smooth and flexible, and the museum handles steady crowds well without ever feeling restrictive, which helped a lot with kids in tow. The Highlights The Egyptian galleries are one of the first moments where the scale really lands. The large stone sculptures and statues are far bigger in person than photos suggest, and they create a dramatic backdrop as you move through the space. The Rosetta Stone was another key highlight. Seeing it in person adds a different level of context, especially knowing its role in unlocking ancient Egyptian writing. It is not large or flashy compared to some of the other artifacts in the room, but it carries a quiet importance that draws attention naturally. The Samurai exhibition was a standout and required a paid entry ticket. It was absolutely worth it. The display of full armor sets, helmets, weapons, and artwork created a complete and visually rich picture of samurai life. The craftsmanship in the armor in particular held everyone's attention far longer than expected, and it felt more immersive than a typical museum exhibit. We also spent time in the hands-on style learning stations, which were a strong break in pace. These included real artifacts like a flint knife that was thousands of years old and a Roman cosmetic jar believed to have been used for eye makeup. Seeing objects like that up close made history feel very tangible for the kids in a way that glass cases alone do not. There is also a family area tucked away downstairs that worked well as a short reset point. It felt quieter and more relaxed, and it gave the kids a chance to decompress before continuing, which made the overall visit more sustainable. The museum works best as a series of short, flexible stops rather than a structured route, and we naturally moved based on interest and energy levels. The Challenges The main challenge is scale. It is very easy to underestimate how large the British Museum is, and even with breaks built in, pacing becomes the key factor in how enjoyable the visit feels. Trying to cover too much quickly would likely be overwhelming, especially for kids. Would We Return Yes, but with a more focused plan and specific sections chosen in advance rather than trying to see everything broadly again. Final Thoughts The British Museum is best experienced in segments rather than as a single continuous visit. The Egyptian galleries, the Rosetta Stone, the Samurai exhibition, and the hands-on artifact stations all offered very different but equally strong experiences. It is free, accessible, and incredibly rich, but the real value comes from slowing down and treating it like a collection of smaller discoveries, with breaks built in, rather than a single museum to "finish."

    Photos
    The British Museum - At British Museum

    At British Museum

    The British Museum - British Museum_Yelp_Sanju-1

    British Museum_Yelp_Sanju-1

    The British Museum - Easter Island head

    See all

    Easter Island head

    The National Gallery - A full room of Rembrandts

    The National Gallery

    4.7(546 reviews)
    0.7 miTrafalgar Square

    Stopped by the National Gallery yesterday, and honestly, this place is amazing. It's way bigger…read morethan I expected -- room after room packed with artwork from all the famous painters you learn about in school. And the vibe is super chill. Every room has benches so you can sit down, relax, and actually enjoy the art instead of rushing through. The best part? It's completely FREE to get in. You just walk in and suddenly you're face‑to‑face with pieces by Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and a ton of others. You could easily spend hours here and still not see everything. There's just so much to take in -- colors, details, history, all of it. It's the kind of place where you keep saying "okay, just one more room" and then an hour goes by. If you're in London, this is a must‑visit. Beautiful art, relaxed atmosphere, and again... it's FREE. Absolutely worth your time.

    The National Gallery is a must see on your visit to London. We went on a Friday night because they…read morewere opened until 9:00 pm. We thought that evening might be a quiet time to go, but the Gallery was packed with art lovers. The Gallery is huge and free to visit, although donations are emcouraged. The building is Greek Revival with a modern addition that serves as the visitor entrance. Ornate domes, marble and granite staircases and beautiful woodwork add to the grandeur. The complex is made up of galleries of art organized by time period, several cafes and gift shops. Maps throughout the complex are very helpful. The Museum houses the most extensive collection of Masters that I've ever seen. There is an entire gallery of spectacular Rembrandt paintings. I enjoyed comparing his style between the different works. Four galleries are filled with Impressionistic greats including a room devoted to Monet's water lily pieces. I saw so many Van Gogh's that I had never seen before. Beautiful benches in each room were inviting to sit and take in the art. There is so much to see that you can't see it all in one day. I ordered free tickets on-line but they were not checking tickets during my visit. I did go through security and they check bags. Rest rooms are sparse, expect to wait in a line to use the facilities. There are lots of stairs with a few elevators available.

    Photos
    The National Gallery - Portrait of G.B. Cataneo Della Volta by Van Dyck at National Gallery

    Portrait of G.B. Cataneo Della Volta by Van Dyck at National Gallery

    The National Gallery - Portrait of Greta Moll by Matisse in National Gallery

    Portrait of Greta Moll by Matisse in National Gallery

    The National Gallery - Display Gallery at National Gallery

    See all

    Display Gallery at National Gallery

    The London Film Museum - One of many beautiful Bond cars on display

    The London Film Museum

    4.0(28 reviews)
    0.3 miStrand, Covent Garden

    The London Film Museum is essentially the James Bond Museum, with the "Bond in Motion" exhibits…read moreoccupying the vast majority of the space. It is a rather small museum though, and even if you take the time to look at every detail, one to two hours will be more than enough. The main exhibits are the hot cars that 007 gets to drive, as well as a few other cool surprises - remember the car that turned into a submarine when it hit the water (The Spy Who Loved Me)? Or the plane with folded wings that emerged from a trailer (Octopussy)? Many of those exhibits include detailed specifications as well as videos of the scenes that highlight the vehicles. Some exhibits also play the theme songs in the background. Other memorabilia that Bond fans would love include original costumes, props, photo of backstage scenes, theatrical posters, etc. Admission is GBP14.50 (about USD18), which is rather expensive for such a small place (hence only 4 stars). But Bond fans, don't you dare say it's too expensive so you'll never go. Never Say Never Again! You Only Live Twice! You can go tomorrow since Tomorrow Never Dies. Go see it with your own Golden Eye. After all, this museum is For Your Eyes Only...

    007 fans, you do NOT want to miss this!! This was only ever meant to be a temporary museum, but was…read moreso successful, they've opened it indefinitely. What you'll find in here is gold if you're a Bond fan; from the first ever original car insurance deal for filming, props used in the films like passports, keys, money to a range of vehicles used throughout all the films - it's well worth the money. Here's a tip - buying tickets online is actually more expensive than in person, only by a couple of pounds, but when there's six of you going, that's 6 coffees I could buy at Pret a Manger around the corner!!!! Keep your change, and buy when you get there.

    Photos
    The London Film Museum - Tacky, maybe, but I just had to...

    Tacky, maybe, but I just had to...

    The London Film Museum - Each car/vehicle had clips from relevant James Bond movies running in the background

    Each car/vehicle had clips from relevant James Bond movies running in the background

    The London Film Museum - Sketch in the upstairs exhibit

    See all

    Sketch in the upstairs exhibit

    Wellcome Collection - Creepy skeleton art

    Wellcome Collection

    4.4(94 reviews)
    1.1 miBloomsbury

    Begun by the founder of Burroughs-Wellcome, the first company to introduce medicine in pill form,…read morethis marvelous free museum specializes in things related to health and the human body. Or science, medicine, life, and art. Or health, life, and our place in the world. Just looking at those descriptors sort of ensured that there'd be something compelling here and there was. A lot. One floor is given over to the collection itself, which is a quirky assemblage of old medical devices and the like, including old sexual devices. Free guided tours are one way to enjoy this part of the museum though I cop to liking the rest of the place even more. The other floors contain exhibits and art which ranged from interesting to fascinating to heartwarming and inspirational. A couple examples: * Words which, when pressed, would light up the associated internal body parts. It's fair to say I don't know where anything inside my body is except maybe my heart and stomach. Now I do. Or I did, for a moment there. * The origins of a mental health project in Africa, where mental health providers are sparse and grandmas we're trained to fill the gap. The results? Improved mental health in the community and the grandmas. There was just so much neat stuff here and not just in the museum exhibits. The ground floor cafe has very good food (try the eggplant parmesan baked individually in a sweet little French crock) and don't miss the gift shop where you'll likely blow all that you saved by coming to this free museum. I certainly did. I left wanting to return to the Wellcome Collection and that was before I even looked at their web site and saw all of the talks and group activities they regularly offer (Death Cafe anyone? Grief Group?). I wish the Wellcome Collection were in my own community as I'm certain I'd take advantage of much more that they have to offer.

    I don't know if I caught the museum on a bad day or what. I walked in and said hello to the staff…read moreperson near the entrance - I was rewarded with a dirty look. I was going to ask for some directions but instead just found myself a map. I checked out the two exhibitions they had open. They both were okay. Being Human was fine, not much to see in the gallery to be honest. The other one, Objects in Stereo, was a clever idea that could have been better. I don't understand the point of looking at photos of objects and storage when one could put those objects on display. Fragile things can be displayed in the right way with the right light and temp/humidity conditions. I was very disappointed to not see more of the permanent collection being used. I work as a museum registrar and I was having trouble understanding the reasoning here. Especially since similar objects were on display upstairs. The reading room was the highlight of the collection. Finally some AMAZING historical, medical related objects and art!

    Photos
    Wellcome Collection - Heart Exhibition

    Heart Exhibition

    Wellcome Collection - Wellcome Collection

    Wellcome Collection

    Wellcome Collection - Jennifer Sutton looking at her own heart in the Heart exhibition

    See all

    Jennifer Sutton looking at her own heart in the Heart exhibition

    Hunterian Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...