Your Visit

Take a tour

Three pavilions tell the real story of Florence Nightingale, the world of the Victorians and her impact on nursing today.

The Gilded Cage tells the story of her privileged childhood and her struggle against stifling social conventions.
See the writing slate Florence used as a child and her pet little owl Athena which she rescued in Athens and hand reared, he became her constant companion, travelling everywhere in her pocket.

The Calling is dramatic and moving, explaining how Nightingale and her team coped with the crisis in the military hospitals where the legend of the lady with the lamp was born.
Explore the unique document, the Register of Nurses which lists the women who nursed in the military hospitals during the Crimean War. You can also turn the pages of a life-size digital version and follow the working lives of 8 nurses who began on the fields of the Crimean and went on to have distinguished nursing careers.
See the Crimean War through the eyes of six different characters, including Tolstoy who was in Sebastopol at the time. This touchscreen exhibit lets you explore photographs, sounds, maps and more.

Reform and Inspire shows the other side of Florence, the reformer who campaigned tirelessly for health reform at home and abroad.
Found out how clean your hands are, and learn how to wash them properly! Following the example of Florence as was a formidable campaigner, write her a letter about an issue which means a lot to you.

Listen to the story

Place your stethoscope on the Audio Hotspots to hear the voices of Florence and her contemporaries as well as her critics. The cast of characters includes the Jamaican-born nurse Mary Seacole who was famous for her herbal remedies and, the Jamie Oliver of his day, Alexis Soyer who transformed the soldiers’ diet with his travelling stove.

A ribbon of images and films wraps around the Museum, detailing her legacy to nursing today. Meet the thousands of men and women who followed in her footsteps, including those who travelled internationally to set up nurse training schools, the Caribbean nurses who came over to the UK in the 1950s as well as the personal stories of nurses today whose career choice was inspired by Florence.

For Children

Wear a stethoscope and enjoy an audio-tour especially created for 7 to 11 year olds.
Little ones, aged 3 to 7, can try their hand at the i-spy trail or peek into the child height viewers to see cartoons which tell the story of the lady with the lamp
Everyone is invited to enjoy the creative programme of free arts activities. The programme is themed and includes activities from pinhole photography to paper making, trails and word searches.

Exhibition and shop

Enjoy a changing programme of contemporary art exhibitions, launching with a photography show.
The new gift shop offers a fantastic range of quirky souvenirs, from the new Florence Nightingale coin to Athena the Owl fingerpuppets.