Bath Medical Museum

About the museum

Bath Medical Museum began in 2012, when the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases opened a small museum in the former Royal Mineral Water Hospital to show its historic collection. The hospital, known locally as the Min, treated patients for 277 years before it closed in 2019 and the building was sold.

Because the collection needed a secure future, the museum became an independent charity in 2017. Much of the collection is on loan from the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, and the museum has also received loans and gifts from private people. It includes records from the 1740s, objects and photographs on rheumatology, medicine and pharmacy. Some items are displayed in other places in Bath, and the rest are in storage.

The museum now uses the Hetling Pump Room, a small space opposite Thermae Bath Spa that it can use for exhibitions and events. It describes itself as a museum without walls and also offers virtual 3D tours of the hospital as it looked in the 1740s and just before closure, as well as a podcast on medical history. The museum is run by volunteers.

Highlights

• Collection of the Royal Mineral Water Hospital, 277 years of patient care
• Records from the 1740s and objects on rheumatology, medicine and pharmacy
• Virtual 3D tours of the hospital in the 1740s and shortly before it closed in 2019
• Themed exhibitions with free entry and wellbeing sessions
• Doses of History podcast

Founded

2012

Operated by

Bath Medical Museum (independent charity)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

All exhibitions and wellbeing sessions are free and need no booking.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum says the Hetling Pump Room is wheelchair accessible. There is no water or toilet in the museum; the nearest toilets are the public toilets next to Marks & Spencer.

Kids & families

The Tuesday Wellbeing group offers crafts and activities for people of all ages.

Getting there & parking

The Hetling Pump Room is on Hetling Court, opposite Thermae Bath Spa in central Bath.

Amenities & dining

No toilet or water in the museum. A Costa Coffee branch is nearby.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit