Wellcome Collection

Overview

Wellcome Collection is a museum and library exploring the past, present, and future of health and wellbeing, as well as the human experience.

Located in central London, just near Euston Station, the museum hosts exhibitions and events featuring books, artworks, films, and objects. Best of all, admission is completely free.

It’s a fantastic educational day out for families with school-age children, couples, and solo travellers. As since is inside, it’s also a good activity for a rainy day in London.

What is the Wellcome Collection?

Opened in 2007, the Wellcome Collection is a museum and library that’s completely free to visit. Inside, there are thousands of items related to health and medicine. Exhibits contain personal archives, books, art, and videos. Curious minds will love how medicine, art, and culture come together here.

Topics include:

Modern medicine
Anatomy
Alchemy
Witchcraft

Is the Wellcome Collection free?

Yes, exhibitions and events at the Wellcome Collection are always free to attend. You can also use the library and see items from the collections for free.

Is Wellcome Collection good for kids?

Yes, the Wellcome Collection is great for children. There are exhibits to teach them more about body parts, organs and how they work, plus health issues, as well as the history of medicine. There are free kids’ activity packs available with things to do both in the museum and when they get home.

The Wellcome Collection is smaller than some of London’s other museums, which means it isn’t overwhelming for kids and is particularly suitable for anyone with shorter attention spans.

Toilets with baby changing facilities are available. Breastfeeding and bottle feeding are also welcome in all areas of the building.

Do I need to book the Wellcome Collection?

The museum and its exhibits are free to enter, and you don’t need to book. If you’d like to attend one of the events, you may need a ticket. Again, tickets for these events are free of charge and can be booked in advance via the website.

Can I get something to eat at Wellcome Collection?

There is a café inside the Wellcome Collection, serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, as well as sandwiches, snacks, and cakes.

Is Wellcome a charity?

Wellcome is a charitable foundation which supports scientific research to help build a healthier future for everyone. Wellcome Collection is part of Wellcome.

Is Wellcome Collection accessible?

The Wellcome Collection strives to make its building, services, and programmes as accessible and inclusive as possible to ensure that everyone can visit.

Provisions for accessibility include:

Accessible toilets on all floors of the building
Assistance animals are welcome
Tours with audio description, sign language, and speech-to-text
Large print and magnifiers
Subtitles
Braille
Audio description
Induction loops
Step-free access throughout
Wheelchair loans
Arrangements for queuing
Quiet spaces
Tinted glasses, tinted visors, ear defenders, and weighted lap pads

Limited parking is available for Blue Badge holders and can be booked by contacting the Wellcome Collection’s visitor experience team.

Other things to do at the Wellcome Collection

The library

There is also a vast library which you can use for work or study. The library holds over 1.1 million books, artifacts, and manuscripts. You can also request to view items online and see them in the Rare Materials Room.

The Reading Room

The Reading Room is a comfortable space which combines a library and a museum, housing a collection of books and objects. There are over 1,000 different books here, spanning various genres including fiction, memoirs, magazines, and graphic novels.

You can relax on the sofas or bean bags as you read or discuss the various items with friends or family. Book groups, workshops, and performances also take place in the Reading Room.

The shop

If you’re looking for a unique gift or a quirky keepsake to take home, you’ll find it in the gift shop – after all, every museum has one! The shop is full of books and gifts inspired by the exhibits and collections. Need a cushion with a human brain design? You’ll find it here.

How to get to the Wellcome Collection from YHA London Central

Wellcome Collection is less than a mile from YHA London Central. The easiest ways to get there are to walk or take public transport.

On foot: It’s around a 15-minute walk from YHA London Central to Wellcome Collection.

Cycling: It takes about six minutes to cycle to Wellcome Collection from YHA London Central. There are stands near the main entrance where you can leave your bike.

By tube: The nearest tube stations to Wellcome Collection are Euston Square, Euston, and Warren Street. You can get the Circle, Metropolitan, or Hammersmith & City line from Great Portland Street, around an eight-minute walk from the Youth Hostel, to Euston Square. The journey should take approximately 15 minutes.

Driving: It’s just a five-minute drive from YHA London Central to Wellcome Collection. If you don’t have your own car, you can take a cab or use a ridesharing app like Uber.