Sick to Death
Self-guided attraction in a Chester church that tells the history of medicine, with a focus on plague and pandemics.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Sick to Death opened in May 2021 in St Michael's Church, a redundant church on the Bridge Street Rows in the centre of Chester. The attraction tells the story of medicine through the ages, with a particular focus on plagues and pandemics. It was developed with funding from the Wellcome Trust and support from Cheshire West and Chester Council, and it is run by the heritage company Big Heritage, which also manages the Western Approaches museum in Liverpool.
Visitors explore the building on their own, accompanied by a character called Brother Mortem who introduces the topics. The displays include interactive areas such as Diagnosis Alley, and visitors can choose to try an autopsy. Some rooms deal with gory or adult subjects, and a separate mature content section is clearly marked so that people can choose whether to enter it.
The attraction also works with schools. It offers worksheets, a story guide with photographs for planning a visit, a podcast, and advice linked to the history of medicine courses of the main exam boards.
Highlights
- Guide character Brother Mortem leads visitors through the history of medicine
- Interactive Diagnosis Alley
- Option to try an autopsy
- Focus on plague and pandemics
- Medieval church setting on the Chester Rows
Permanent exhibition
- Sick to Death – A guided-by-character walk through the history of medicine, with interactive areas, a focus on plague and a marked section of mature content.
- Founded
- 2021
- Operated by
- Big Heritage
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £7Students |
| Children & teens | £5free up to age 4 · Children aged 5 to 15 pay £5; under-5s enter free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · One free carer ticket is offered with qualifying proof, such as a Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance or Carer's Allowance letter, or a certificate of visual impairment. |
| Students & apprentices | £7 |
| Dual ticket with Deva Roman Experience | –Discounted combined ticket that can be bought at either attraction |
Card payments only. School groups pay £4.50 per pupil, and accompanying teachers and adults are free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The entrance is raised above street level: five steps from Bridge Street, six steps with a central handrail from Pepper Street, and three steps with a handrail at the rear door. Inside, the attraction is on one level and fully accessible by wheelchair. There is one accessible toilet at the back with support rails, a pull cord and a lever-tap sink. Seating is provided throughout. Wheelchairs and buggies cannot be stored. Support dogs are welcome and water is available on request. The first room has flashing lights but can be skipped, and some areas have dim lighting, sound and light effects and optional scent pots. Audio and video content has transcripts or subtitles, and a photo story guide helps visitors prepare.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
The attraction describes itself as suitable for children, but parents should use their judgement because some areas are gory. Mature content is in a separate section that visitors can choose to enter. Buggies can be pushed around but not stored. Breastfeeding is welcome.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Pepper Street (Park & Ride Stand M)
Chester railway station is about a 20-minute walk. Chester Bus Interchange is a 10-minute walk away. The nearest stops are Park & Ride Stand M on Pepper Street and Stop X on Grosvenor Street. The Park & Ride costs £2 return per adult, and children travel free with a paying adult.
By car
Parking available · 2-min walk to the entrance
NCP Pepper Street car park is a 2-minute walk away and Grosvenor Shopping Centre car park is a 3-minute walk away. Cars and taxis can drop off outside the door.
A taxi from the railway station takes about 10 minutes. There is a taxi rank a few buildings away. A bike park is opposite on Bridge Street.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Wi-Fi
The FAQ mentions that Wi-Fi is available for visitors. A baby change unit is in the accessible toilet.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The visit is self-guided and most people take 45 minutes to 1 hour. School groups of up to 1.5 hours can book through an online enquiry form; staff ratios depend on age. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Some content is marked as mature. |
