About the museum
The Florence Nightingale Museum celebrates the life and work of the best known figure in nursing history.
The Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm).
Did you know Florence Nightingale was the first female member of the Royal Statistical Society? That she owned over 60 cats throughout her life and had a pet owl called Athena. Do you know why she was called Florence?
Nightingale was the founder of modern nursing, was one of our greatest Victorians and a female icon in her own lifetime. She is still an inspiration to nurses around the globe.
Visit the museum to celebrate the life of this trailblazing woman; discover all about her affluent childhood, how she fought against her parents’ wishes to become a nurse, her work during the Crimean War and how she campaigned for better healthcare for ordinary people. See the actual lamp she carried which earned her the nickname The Lady With The Lamp, meet her pet owl and see her medicine chest.
And if you’re bringing your children to the museum, don’t forget to pick up a copy of our Family Trail
Mission and Values Statement
Our Mission: To celebrate Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, and all who have built upon her pioneering vision, by advancing her legacy nationally and internationally.
Our Values: To uphold the spirit of Nightingale, by embracing hard work and creativity, stimulating new thinking, and caring and respecting everyone.
Our Vision: Promoting Nightingale’s contribution as a healthcare worker, statistician, activist, social reformer, and iconic influencer. Guardianship of a small but significant collection of artefacts, which support our sharing of stories to promote developments within healthcare and science. Engaging diverse audiences from a welcoming and forward-thinking visitor attraction and research venue – our hub for physical and virtual experiences and dialogue. Encouraging ongoing positive innovation and debate on issues that matter today; informing all our futures for a better world.
The Florence Nightingale Museum Trust
The Florence Nightingale Museum Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 9 December 1987 and registered as a charity on 22 December 1982.
Company number: 2246583
Charity number: 299576
Registered office and operational address:
The Florence Nightingale Museum Trust,
Gassiot House,
2 Lambeth Palace Road,
London, SE1 7EW