Bethlem Museum of the Mind

About

Bethlem Royal Hospital was founded in 1247 and was the first institution in the UK to specialise in the care of the mentally ill. The hospital continues to provide in-patient care as part of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and has been based in south London since 1930. Situated within the hospital grounds, the Museum moved into a specially renovated stunning Art Deco building in 2015, shared with the Bethlem Gallery, and formally opened by artist Grayson Perry in March 2015. The museum cares for an internationally renowned collection of archives, art and historic objects, which together offer an unparalleled resource to support the history of mental healthcare and treatment. Bethlem Museum of the Mind is governed by a registered charity, the Bethlem Art and History Collections Trust (charity number 1190303). You can view our annual report and accounts on the Charity Commission web-site, or read our impact reports.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes