The History Of The Wellcome Collection In 1 Minute

Self-proclaimed as ‘the free destination for the incurably curious’, the Wellcome Collection is an awe-inspiring museum of art and artefacts, which explore the relationships between medicine, art and life in the past, present and future. Situated on Euston Road next door to the Wellcome Trust headquarters, the museum was founded in 2007 and sees over 500,000 people passing through the door each year.
The founder of the Wellcome Trust was the pharmacist, entrepreneur, philanthropist and collector, Sir Henry Solomon Wellcome. Captivated with medicine and inspired by the world he frequently explored, he initiated world-class medical research laboratories and began to build one of the world’s most astonishing collections of medicine and health through history. His ambition was to construct a venue to contain his magnificent collections, for professional education and study, in order to develop knowledge of medical science. His legacy, the Wellcome Trust, is an independent global charitable foundation. Both one of the largest charities in the UK and one of the largest research charities in the world, the Trust funds bright minds in scientific education, research and public engagement. Successful projects that have been funded by the trust include the development of the antimalarial drug Artemisinin, and the establishment of the UK Biobank. Their aim is to improve health, ‘because good health makes life better.’

The architecture of the building has a neoclassical design, housing both historic and contemporary exhibitions and collections, public events, the Wellcome Library, a café, a shop, a restaurant and conference facilities. The venue also offers many in-house publications, tours, international and digital projects, and the famous Book Prize.

The Wellcome Library consists of more than 750,000 books, journals, manuscripts and films, offering anyone interested extensive information about medicine and its significance in society. For an unusual and eccentric mixture of medical art and artefacts, the Wellcome Collection is an original and thought-provoking museum to inspire all.
📅 Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10AM – 6PM (Thursday close at 10PM)
By Stephanie Butler

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.