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Secret Sights

Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret.old-operating-theatre Climb a winding staircase into the Old Operating Theatre, which was built in 1822 as part of St Thomas’ Hospital as a surgery for women. The theatre was a gruesome place to visit: students would watch procedures taking place where no anaesthesia or antiseptic were used. They included amputations that would be over in a minute, and one of the world’s first Caesarean sections in which the mother and child survived. The latter was performed by Dr James Barry, a woman who hid her gender in order to work. When you visit, you’ll find instruments used to carry out operations, such as an amputation set with a saw. It is not for the faint-hearted!

Savoy Museum. savoy-hotel-1The Savoy, which opened in 1889, is one of London’s most luxurious hotels – and you don’t even have to stay here for a glimpse of its fascinating history. Loved by actors, inside you will see the guest cards of Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner and Charlie Chaplin. Marlene Dietrich’s guest card reveals her request for 12 pink roses and a bottle of Dom Perignon. There is also Noel Coward’s lighter and cigarette, and the first bottle of Champagne the hotel poured when it opened.

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