Around Barts North Wing
A self-guided tour
Instructions
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The trail will be added to your home screen like an app.
Instructions
1.
Tap the 
button
2.
Tap 
3.
Tap 
4.
The trail will be added to your home screen like an app.
St Bartholomew’s Hospital
Tour Introduction
Welcome to St Bartholomew’s Hospital, also known as Barts. This tour explores the exterior spaces of the hospital: the Henry VIII Gatehouse; the church of St Bartholomew the Less; The Square; and Barts North Wing.
Barts has been on this site for more than 900 years. It was originally founded in 1123 by a man called Rahere. Saint Bartholomew appeared to him in a vision when he was ill and asked him to build a hospital and priory in his name.
The North Wing dates from the 1730s, when the old medieval buildings were swept away and a new design of four detached wings was created. The only buildings that survived the 1730s rebuild were St Bartholomew the Less, the old hospital’s ‘cutting room’, and the Henry VIII Gatehouse.
Barts has survived through religious and political upheaval, Bubonic Plague, the Great Fire of London, the London Blitz and threats of closure. It remained open throughout to care for the sick for free. It is now a state-of-the-art specialist heart and cancer hospital.
St Bartholomew’s Hospital
The Henry VIII Gatehouse
St Bartholomew's Hospital, London: a corner of the Gibbs courtyard with many trees and the fountain in the centre. Etching by Lillian C. Smythe. Source: Wellcome Collection
The Gatehouse you see now is a reconstruction of the original that was built in 1702. It was designed by the architect mason Edward Strong Junior as a grand, formal entrance to St Bartholomew’s Hospital from Smithfield for staff, patients, and visitors.
The Gatehouse commemorates King Henry VIII (who refounded the hospital in 1546), and it features the only public statue of the king in London. Above the statue are carved figures representing lameness and disease. These are based on similar figures which adorned Bethlem Royal Hospital.
Between 1833 and 1834 the Gatehouse was carefully rebuilt by Philip Hardwick. Hardwick was the official Surveyor to the hospital, a position also held by both his father and his son.
The Gatehouse has had various uses since it was built, including a porter’s lodge, offices, and accommodation.
Before we go onto the hospital site, look at some of the features of the Gatehouse and the curtain wall surrounding it and consider how Barts sits within the fascinating wider history of Smithfield.
St Bartholomew’s Hospital
Select an item from the list
The Henry VIII Gatehouse
1. Curtain wall
2. Bomb damage
3. Curtain wall memorials
4. Around Smithfield
5. Gatehouse
St Bartholomew the Less
1. Brickwork
2. Princess Alice Garden
3. Garden memorials
4. Inside the Church
5. Memorials
6. Stained glass windows
The Square
1. The Fountain
2. Value of the space
The North Wing
1. Barts Heritage
2. Gibbs build
3. George V building
St Bartholomew’s Hospital
Select a location
The Henry VIII Gatehouse
St Bartholomew the Less
The Square
The North Wing
St Bartholomew’s Hospital
Select a point of interest
St Bartholomew’s Hospital
Sub Title
Use the 3D map to explore St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
Touch the labels to learn about the locations and unlock points of interest.
Touch the numbers to reveal the points of interest. Access a variety of imagery, audio, augmented reality, and written information about the points of interest. Symbols identify the content available.
St Bartholomew’s Hospital
Find out how to use your guide
Use the 3D map to explore St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
Touch the labels to learn about the locations and unlock points of interest.
Touch the numbers to reveal the points of interest. Access a variety of imagery, audio, augmented reality, and written information about the points of interest. Symbols identify the content available.
