Medical Tour: All Around the University – Firsts & Inventions in the History of Medicine
Russell Square underground station, London
Guided by Rick Jones or Ronnie Haydon
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Weekly | 2.30 pm | 4 pm | Winter Summer | Reserve Online |
FIRST THINGS FIRST – IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
Ronnie’s Medical Tour: All Around the University begins at Russell Square tube. She sets the scene and then we’re off, on the trail of thrilling medical discoveries and breakthroughs.
The very streets (and buildings) where they happened. Sites where medical history was made, sites which commemorate significant medical events such as the first vaccination, anaesthetic antibiotic, antiseptic, artificial insemination, free health service and the discovery of deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA.
The tour celebrates the success of the medical profession in its ongoing fight against Covid.
We end back at Russell Square tube station.
Sue –
An excellent walk around UCL. Ronnie certainly knows her subject and is clear in the delivery of it. From smallpox to Covid, Bentham to Whitty via Nightingale, the odd mosquito, Orwell and Corum. Fascinating couple of hours.
Patrick Egan –
We enjoyed our walk very much with Ronnie, she is very knowledgeable and had a great passion on letting us know all about this amazing walk, so informative. We would definitely recommend this walk. Thank you Ronnie
Janet –
An interesting walk around Bloomsbury, pointing out medical-themed details that you otherwise wouldn’t notice. Ronnie is a very pleasant and knowledgeable guide.
Charlotte –
My mother and I (and dog Percy who was given a warm welcome) thoroughly enjoyed Ronnie’s informative tour around UCL, the University hospital and other related sights. Loved how the walk celebrated humans who cared and reformed for their fellow humans and especially the focus on women’s contributions in medicine. Ronnie’s passion and knowledge really shone through. We so often hear constantly about the negative nature of humanity in life and this was refreshing. The area is really buzzing and vibrant, reflecting the genuine diversity of London. Thank you Ronnie for a fascinating afternoon.
Craig Jones –
I completed this walk yesterday. I have taken many London Walks previously and, although not a medic, enjoyed this one immensely. Rick Jones’ knowledge is encyclopedic and I thoroughly recommend this walk to anyone wanting to find out more about this corner of London and the many ground-breaking medical luminaries who worked there. After or before the walk, take time to have a walk around Bloomsbury Square Garden and read all the boards. I won’t spoil it for you but there’s lots to interest and educate you!
Janet Russell –
I studied at Edinburgh University and thought all the best discoveries and firsts in medicine were Scottish. Rick’s fascinating and informative walk set the record straight. A most enjoyable walk with so many random anecdotes along the way.
Thank you Rick
C Kao –
Been on Rick Tour on 1/26/23 , it was raining , but Rick kept it entertaining ,and informative , good to seek the ink with art and medical history , and literary connection , fantastic !
Alex –
Excellent and engaging tour of medical London. Having previously walked by many of the sites on the tour in oblivion, I will never again fail to spot the mosquitoes, ticks, and rats on the balconies of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine! Rick is a walking Wikipedia of local knowledge. Highly recommended!
Martín Craig –
Whilst browsing in the Tate Gallery, I overheard a guide talking to his clients about the paintings. He sounded interesting, knowledgable and like he was enjoying what he was doing. Luckily, the rest of the tour seemed to coincide with the galleries I was visiting so I heard a lot more from Rick Jones. I asked him what tour it was and he explained. Later, I checked out http://www.walks.com and saw that he was doing another tour the next day, all about the history of medicine in London and it’s many “firsts”. Not of immediate interest but I decided to go and booked.
Rick was fabulous again. I loved the tour and learnt so many fascinating things. Do yourself a favour and go on both of these tours. I can’t speak from experience but I suspect the others are great too!
Todd & Carmen –
We enjoyed very much Rick Jones’ tour of University of London, medicinal inventions and discoveries. He is highly informative. We would whole heartedly recommend this walk.