Bethlem Royal Hospital Archives and Museum, London

Bethlem Royal Hospital Archives and Museum are the archives and museum of Bethlem Royal Hospital, the first and oldest psychiatric hospital in the world. It is now located along Monk Orchard Road in Beckenham, within the hospital premises at the London Borough of Bromley (it's address however says Kent).

The Bethlem Royal Hospital dates back to the founding of a priory at Bethlem in 1247, for the sisters and brothers of the Order of the Star of Bethlehem. The priory was originally located in Bishopsgate, where the Liverpool Street Railway Station is now located. There, it became a hospital, and from 1357 began to take in mentally ill patients. In the beginning it was a regular hospital, but over time became one specializing in mental illness.

Bethlem Royal Hospital
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bethlem_Royal_Hospital_-_geograph.org.uk_-_34691.jpg
Author: Philip Talmage


In the old days, Bethlem Royal Hospital was one of those "hell on earth" types of institution where every gruesomely brutal treatment was inflicted on the mentally ill. The English word "bedlam" was derived from the name of this hospital, to mean a state of chaos and confusion. Bethlem was then a filthy place with inmates chained to the floor and wall. It was said that those who were well enough were licensed to beg in the streets (though this was denied by the hospital governors in 1675). Conditions were so horrible that in 1620, the patients managed to send a petition to the House of Lords seeking better living conditions.

The Bethlem Royal Hospital has moved a number of times. In 1675 it relocated to Moorfields. In 1815 it moved St George's Fields in Southwark. It moved to its present location at Monks Orchard, Beckenham, in 1930.

Bethlem Royal Hospital
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BethlemRoyalHospital.jpeg
Author: Mtiedemann


Bethlem Royal Hospital has a small museum. Due to space constrains, it is only able to showcase a small fraction of its collection, which includes works by inmates, antiquated furniture and documents. The exhibits are regularly rotated.

How to reach Bethlem Royal Hospital Archives and Museum

The Eden Park Rail Station is the nearest train station to the hospital. You can get there by taking the train heading for Hayes, Kent, from Charing Cross, Waterloo East and London Bridge Railway Stations and alighting at Eden Park. Then walk a short distance south to Monks Orchard Road. You will find the hospital entrance on the right side of the road.

The museum is open Mondays to Fridays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. It is closed on Bank Holidays and other NHS statutory holidays. The museum some times may close on short notice, so you should also call ahead before visiting. The contact is 020 3228 4307.

The hospital archives are open by appointment only, for one person at a time (or two, if both are working on the same project). To reach the hospital for appointment, contact 020 3228 4058.

Location map of Bethlem Royal Hospital Archives & Museum

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