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:
25-06-2026 16-07-2026 06-08-2026 20-08-2026FIRST 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.
Carol Roberts –
Ronnie is very knowledgeable about architecture and medical events. We saw many buildings belonging to the UCL and several lovely squares around Bloomsbury. Fascinating and highly recommended 👌
Richard Baumgarten, MD –
This was a tremendous tour. My wife and I are huge fans of London Walks.
Ronnie is an experienced journalist. She has put together an expansive range of topics centered upon the University College of London in the Bloomsbury area. Ronnie is an extremely engaging speaker. My wife was taking care of our 6 month old grandson in Kensal Green; ergo I was attending Ronnie’s tour solo. BTW I’m an anaesthetist and my wife of 43 years is a surgeon. We’ll certainly take Ronnie’s excellent London Walk together on another trip across the ‘Pond’.
Over the last decade we have taken most of the London Walks at least once. A notable event occurred, perhaps the first-ever for London Walks. One of our group of three was extremely interested in London Walks from studying the website. As a nurse in Olympia, Washington on the U.S. Pacific coast; she was intrigued by Ronnie’s medical theme. The hotel she reserved was near Russell Square, Ronnie’s origination point; serendipity indeed! The OR nurse boarded a jet at SeaTac airport Wed. evening; traversed eight time zones to reach Heathrow mid-day. After clearing immigration, she boarded the Piccadilly line, exiting at Russell Square. After checking her bags at the hotel; she hustled back to the station, just in time to join Ronnie’s tour!
Janice Schmidt –
Ronnie gave a great tour. Even under gray skies and constant rain, her storytelling brought London’s medical history to life. Her ability to adapt the route to keep us semi-dry without missing a beat in her narrative was greatly appreciated. She is a fantastic guide who truly looks after her guests.
H.K –
Ronnie was absolutely fabulous as our guide. Informative, witty and maintained our enthusiasm despite the weather! Thoroughly enjoyable and recommended
Laura Hoffman –
Ronnie’s tour was informative, interesting, and very well paced. We even wrote down some museums and other attractions she recommended during the tour for our next visit. We will definitely be looking for her name as a guide on future tours.
joanne ORourke –
I booked a private walking tour with Ronnie for my work colleagues. It was fascinating. Ronnie is an excellent guide and everyone had a really enjoyable couple of hours. Would definitely recommend this walk. We’re always told to “look up” when you walk around London but on this one, it paid to “look down” as well as there were so many hidden bits of history in the pavement that we would never have known about.
Ann McVey –
A quirky walk with an excellent guide, would recommend for anyone with a medical background … or without! A really interesting couple of hours, so many great stories that you’d never discover alone.
Helen Wilson –
My husband and I would highly recommend this tour. Our guide Ronnie, was fantastic. She was eloquent, engaging and informative. Managing to imbue the tour with interesting and entertaining facts. Ronnie is a natural storyteller and orator! Thank you Ronnie and London Walks
Mudit –
Super! Highly recommended!!
Dr James Huang –
Ronnie’s Medical Tour: All Around the University – Firsts & Inventions in the History of Medicine was the highlight of my brief visit to London. As a physician, I was fascinated and educated about sites where many medical innovations started. Thank you for enriching my life with the wonderful tour!