The Florence Nightingale Museum is a specialist museum in Lambeth, London, dedicated to the life and work of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Located within the grounds of St Thomas’ Hospital, the museum houses the world’s most important collection of material relating to Nightingale.
This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visiting tips for the Florence Nightingale Museum.
Quick facts: Florence Nightingale Museum
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | St Thomas’ Hospital, 2 Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7EP |
| Opening hours | Tuesday–Sunday: 10.00–17.00 (last entry 16.30) | Extended opening last Thursday of each month: 10.00–20.00 |
| Entry | £12 adult (annual pass) |
| Nearest Tube | Westminster (10–15 min walk), Waterloo (10–15 min walk) |
| Nearest Train | Waterloo (10–15 min walk) |
| Typical visit duration | 45–75 minutes |
| Accessibility | Fully accessible, ground floor only |
Florence Nightingale Museum opening hours
The Florence Nightingale Museum is open:
- Tuesday to Sunday: 10.00–17.00
- Last Thursday of each month: 10.00–20.00 (extended opening)
Last entry is at 16.30 (or 19.30 on extended opening evenings).
The museum is closed on Mondays.
The museum is busiest during school term times on Tuesday to Friday from 10.00 to 14.00, when primary school groups visit. For a quieter experience, visit outside these times or contact the museum in advance for current booking information.
Florence Nightingale Museum ticket prices
All tickets purchased directly through the museum are annual passes, allowing unlimited visits for one year from the date of first entry.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £12 |
| Concession (over 65s, Blue Light Card holders, disabled visitors) | £10 |
| Essential carer (with disabled visitor) | Free |
| Student (with valid student ID) | £7 |
| Child (ages 5–16) | £6 |
| Child (under 4) | Free |
| Family (2 adults + up to 4 children) | £30 |
| National Art Pass holders | 50% off adult/student tickets |
| Blue Badge tourist guides, Museum Association members, Nightingale Badge holders, Guy’s and St Thomas’ staff (with valid ID) | Free |
Tickets can be purchased in advance through the museum website or on the door.
Groups of 10 or more must book in advance. Contact the museum for group visit information.
Opening hours and ticket prices checked and updated in January 2026.
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- ⛴️ Take a sightseeing cruise along the Thames from Westminster to Greenwich.
How to get to the Florence Nightingale Museum
The museum is located within the grounds of St Thomas’ Hospital, at car park level. You do not need to enter any hospital buildings to reach the museum entrance on Lambeth Palace Road.
By Tube
- Westminster (District, Circle and Jubilee lines): 10–15 minute walk
- Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee and Northern lines): 10–15 minute walk
By Train
- Waterloo and Waterloo East: 10–15 minute walk
- Victoria: 20–30 minute walk
- Charing Cross: 20–30 minute walk
By Bus
Routes stopping at Westminster Bridge Road:
- 12, 53, 148, 159, 211, 453, C10
Routes stopping at Lambeth Palace Road:
- 77, 507, N44
Take care when approaching bus stops as cycling lanes pass between the pavement and bus stops in this area.
Use Transport for London’s journey planner to plan your route.
By Taxi
A designated drop-off point for St Thomas’ Hospital is located a short zebra crossing from the museum entrance.
Parking at the Florence Nightingale Museum
The museum does not have its own car park or designated parking.
The nearest parking is at St Thomas’ Hospital, which has very limited spaces. Parking should be prioritised for hospital patients and those with limited mobility. Charges and availability information are available on the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust website.
The museum is located within the London Congestion Charge Zone. If driving, you must pay the congestion charge.
Coach and minibus parking is not available. The turning circle outside the museum is very tight. Coaches and minibuses should drop passengers on Westminster Bridge Road.
How Long to spend at the Florence Nightingale Museum
A typical visit to the Florence Nightingale Museum lasts 45–75 minutes.
The museum is compact and covers one floor, making it suitable for a focused visit. You can see the main collection and exhibitions in under an hour, or take longer to read all the information panels and watch the video content.
Accessibility at the Florence Nightingale Museum
The Florence Nightingale Museum is fully wheelchair accessible and located entirely on ground floor level.
Entrance
The museum entrance is accessed from Lambeth Palace Road, down a slightly sloping pavement. You do not need to enter hospital buildings.
Sensory needs
- Video content is subtitled throughout the gallery
- Audio trail transcriptions can be borrowed at the museum entrance
- Ear defenders are available to borrow from the front desk
- The gallery contains ambient sounds including bird calls, dinner party chatter, scurrying rats and a grandfather clock
- Some video content starts automatically at low volume
- External noise may be audible from the building above and car park outside
A visual story is available to download from the museum website to help plan your visit. An AccessAble guide is also available online with detailed access information.
What to see at the Florence Nightingale Museum
The museum tells the story of Florence Nightingale’s life and work. The collection includes personal items, nursing artefacts, documents and artworks.
Key objects on display include the lamp Florence Nightingale carried during the Crimean War, which earned her the nickname “The Lady with the Lamp”. Visitors can also see her medicine chest and meet her pet owl, Athena.
The museum covers Nightingale’s childhood, her decision to become a nurse against her parents’ wishes, her work during the Crimean War, and her campaigns for better healthcare. The collection also explores her role as a statistician and social reformer.
The museum houses over 60 objects connected to Nightingale’s life, and presents material on nursing history, healthcare reform and Victorian society.
Practical Tips for Visiting the Florence Nightingale Museum
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Visit during quieter times | The museum is busiest Tuesday to Friday from 10.00 to 14.00 during school term times due to primary school groups. Visit outside these hours for a quieter experience, or contact the museum in advance for current bookings. |
| Use the cloakroom | A small cloakroom with hangers and free lockers for small bags is available. The cloakroom is unmanned and items are left at the owner’s risk. Large bags and suitcases cannot be stored. Use left luggage facilities at Waterloo Station for large bags. |
| Bring student ID | Students must show valid student ID to receive the discounted ticket price. |
| Annual tickets are not transferable | Tickets are annual passes but cannot be shared. You must sign the back of your ticket and may be asked to show ID on return visits. |
| Combine with nearby attractions | The museum is a short walk from the Houses of Parliament, London Eye and other South Bank attractions. |
| Check extended opening times | The museum opens until 20.00 on the last Thursday of each month. |
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Florence Nightingale Museum suitable for children? | Yes. Children under 4 go free. The museum offers family tickets (2 adults + up to 4 children for £30). Educational trails and activities are available. The museum hosts school groups and family events. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No. Tickets can be purchased on the door, though advance booking is available through the museum website. Groups of 10 or more must book in advance. |
| Is the museum open on Sundays? | Yes. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10.00–17.00. |
| Are bags allowed? | Yes, but only small bags. The museum cannot store large bags or suitcases. Free lockers are available for small bags in the unmanned cloakroom. |
| I am a nurse, do I have to pay? | Yes. The museum is a small charity that relies on admission income. There is no general discount for nurses, though nurses holding Nightingale Badges receive free entry. |
| Can I use my ticket on a different day? | Yes. All tickets bought through the museum are annual passes, valid for one year from first entry. You can visit multiple times within that year. |
| Is there anywhere to leave large bags? | No. The museum cannot store large bags or suitcases. Use left luggage facilities at Waterloo Station. |
| Where is the nearest prayer room? | Prayer rooms and a chapel are available inside St Thomas’ Hospital. |
Things to Do Near the Florence Nightingale Museum
Within 5–10 Minutes’ Walk
- Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (400 metres): Iconic Westminster landmark
- Westminster Abbey (600 metres): Historic church and royal venue
- London Eye (500 metres): Observation wheel with views across London
- Lambeth Palace (adjacent): Official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury
- Garden Museum (300 metres): Museum of garden history in a former church
Within 10–15 Minutes’ Walk
- Tate Britain (1.5 kilometres): British art from 1500 to the present
- Imperial War Museum (1 kilometre): Museum covering conflicts from World War I to present
- Southbank Centre (700 metres): Arts complex with galleries and performance spaces
- Sea Life London Aquarium (500 metres): Aquarium on the South Bank
Nearby Areas
- Lower Marsh (5 minutes’ walk): Street with independent shops, cafés and a weekday market
- Borough Market (1.5 kilometres): Historic food market
- South Bank (along the Thames): Walking route with cultural attractions
The Florence Nightingale Museum’s location near Westminster and the South Bank makes it easy to combine with other central London attractions such as the London Transport Museum, Tate Modern, London Dungeon and HMS Belfast.
More London travel
Other London travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Practical information for visiting the London Museum Docklands.
- A practical guide to visiting Eltham Palace.
- Essential information for visiting the Cutty Sark and Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
- A practical guide to visiting Kenwood House and the Freud Museum in Hampstead.
- A first time visitor’s guide to Kensington Palace.
