Bethlem Museum of the Mind

Name: Bethlem Museum of the Mind
Start: 2026-08-19T13:00:00+0100
End: 2026-08-19T14:00:00+0100
Location: Bethlem Museum of the Mind

Wed, 19 Aug, 1pm - 2pm BST

Beckenham, United Kingdom

London Historians

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Description

Situated within the hospital grounds of Bethlem Royal Hospital, probably the oldest psychiatric hospital in the world, in a stunning Art Deco building shared with the Bethlem Gallery, Bethlem Museum of the Mind was 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.

Our visit will comprise an introduction by the Archvist or Librarian of the institution followed by a self-guided tour of the facility. The whole event should last around an hour.

Bethlem Hospital is the fourth home of the famous asylum for the mentally ill known as 'Bedlam', which had an often much darker history than its modern equivalent today.

Hogarth's view of Bedlam from The Rake's Progress, 1735.

Proceeds from your ticket price will go towards The Bethlem Art and History Collections Trust.

London Historians Members only. Join London Historians.

Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity

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London Historians

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With almost 700 subscribed Members and online following in the tens of thousands, London Historians was founded in 2010 as a membership hub for anyone with a keen interest in the history of London, the greatest an historically richest of world cities. We communicate with members and others though our monthly newsletter, website, blog, YouTube channel and of course via social media.

Events. Apart from our monthly pub meet-up on the first Wednesday of each month, we host 20 - 30 other events during the year. These typically comprise guided walks, lecture evenings, and visits to significant historic sites along with museums and archives. Our big events of the year include our Annual Lecture, our Big Quiz, the summer picnic and an awayday to a significant historic site away from the city, but usually within 90 minutes' travel. Most of our events are sold out and therefore many are restricted to subscribed members only. You can join us here.