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
Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Weekly | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter Summer | Reserve Online |
N.B. this walk will not take place on the following dates:
26-06-2025 21-08-2025 25-12-2025FIRST 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.
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.
Suzanne –
I went with my team (who work in health policy) as part of a team building day and we all really enjoyed it. Despite working in medical and health policy we learnt so much from Rick and our eyes were opened to the history of medicine, science and the arts, right on our doorstep. Rick shared an incredible amount of information in an accessible and engaging way. I would highly recommend it.
Kevin Smith –
Having studied at The School of Pharmacy in Brunswick Square, my wife and I were delighted to see it as the first port of call after meeting up with our excellent guide, Rick, at Russell Square tube station. Enlightening and enchanting from that point onwards, there’s so much to see and take on board as to the medical firsts that have originated in a very small part of London, Rick, I believe suggested at least 10 at the end of our splendid walk. Looking forward to doing another London Walk, simply the best!
Abigail Franklin –
This was an A+ tour. Who knew that just within a few blocks so many medical inventions and discoveries were made! Rick was chock full of great facts, interesting stories, and good cheer. I liked the tour so much that I tried to recreate it for my friend the following day. I learned a lot and had a fun time doing so. Truly wonderful.
Mary Barry –
I really enjoyed this walk. Rick was an excellent guide, very knowledgable, made the subject interesting. On quite a few of the ‘stops’ we were able to rest by sitting on convenient seats, steps etc which was very much appreciated.