Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital includes two of London’s most well-known and prestigious teaching hospitals, as well as other centres and services. Having existed for centuries, and known for their top-quality patient care, the staff at Guy’s and St Thomas’ are dedicated to putting the patient first and meeting their needs and expectations. Pioneers in research and leaders in medical teaching and training, Guy’s and St Thomas’ are one of England’s biggest providers of specialised services, for NHS and private patients alike.
St Thomas’ Hospital
St Thomas’ Hospital is one of the UK’s oldest hospitals, dating from the 12th century, and named after Thomas Becket, although it is possible that it existed even before Becket’s canonisation, and simply changed names. Originally a monastery caring for the sick, poor, and destitute, it reopened as a hospital in 1551 after the dissolution of the monasteries, rededicated to Thomas the Apostle, and has remained open ever since.
Originally located in Southwark, and based for several centuries on Thomas Street (where it was the site of the first Bible printed in English), it was moved to Stangate in Lambeth in the 1800s to make way for the Charing Cross Railway viaduct, and is now across the Thames from the Houses of Parliament. The foundation stone was laid by Queen Victoria.
St Thomas’ Hospital has several Grade II listed buildings from the Victorian era. Former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson died here in 1995. The world’s first intraocular lens (IOL) implant was conducted here in 1949.
Guy’s Hospital
Guy’s Hospital was founded by Thomas Guy, a bookseller, businessman and Governor, and benefactor of St Thomas’ Hospital, in 1721. Originally established to treat those patients designated as “incurable” who were discharged from St Thomas’, Guy’s Hospital has grown over the years, now consisting of 19 interconnected buildings. One of these, the Tower Wing, built in 1974, boasts the title of second tallest hospital building in the world, standing over 148m high, with 34 floors. Aside from the viewpoint, it houses medical departments, a dental school, a baby clinic and a lecture room.
After their centuries-long association, Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals merged into one medical school and medical trust in the 80s and 90s. Nowadays, the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust not only runs the titular hospitals, but also Evelina London Children’s Hospital, and community services in Lambeth and Southwark. In partnership with HCA Healthcare, they built a £100 million integrated cancer centre near London Bridge in 2016.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital address
Guy’s Hospital
Great Maze Pond
London SE1 9RT
St Thomas’ Hospital
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
How to get to Guy’s Hospital
- London Bridge station is five minutes’ walk away, providing access by train and (Northern and Jubilee Lines). Monument (District and Circle Lines) and Borough (Northern Line) are both within 15 minutes’ walk.
- Several buses also stop at London Bridge, or near the hospital: 17, 21, 35, 40, 43, 47, 48, 133, 141, 149, 343, 381, 521, 701, RV1, C10; as well as these night buses: N21, N35, N47, N133, N343 and N381.
- The Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust provides bicycle racks on the right-hand side of the car park outside the main reception and outside Counting House on Great Maze Pond.
How to get St Thomas’ Hospital
- Westminster tube station (District, Circle and Jubilee Lines) is ten minutes’ walk, while Lambeth North (Bakerloo Line) and Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee and Northern Lines) are 15 minutes’ walk away.
- Waterloo and Waterloo East are the nearest railway stations (about 10-15 minutes’ walk) Victoria and Charing Cross are 20-30 minutes’ walk away from St Thomas’.
- Various bus routes pass within 15-20 minutes’ walk from St Thomas’:
- 12, 53, 148, 159, 211, 453, and C10 and night buses N44, N155, N159 and N381 stop at Westminster Bridge Road
- 77, 507 and N44 stop at Lambeth Palace Road
- 3, 344, C10 and night bus N3 stop at Lambeth Road; 76, 341, 381 and RV1 stop at York Road.
- Bicycle racks are provided in front of the main reception, next to the Florence Nightingale Museum, next to Gassiot House and between the main entrance and the Lambeth Wing entrance.
Parking
Both hospitals have car parks, although parking is limited. Priority is given to disabled patients and their drivers, and hospital staff try hard to make sure they are able to access the hospitals easily. Registered disabled drivers and blue badge holders are able to park for free on the day of the appointment (showing the appointment letter to security when leaving). There is an NCP car park close to Guy’s if the hospital car park is full.