St Bartholomew's Hospital from 1123 to present day
Here for east London for 900 years
St Bartholomew's Hospital is Britain's oldest hospital.
Celebrate 900 years of care.
St Bartholomew's Hospital
Welcome to St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital is a centre of excellence for heart and cancer care.
In addition to heart and cancer care, we provide a number of additional services including endocrinology, fertility, respiratory, thoracics and a minor injuries unit.
St Bartholomew's Hospital is the oldest working hospital in the country and is 900 years old in 2023.
An independent hospital run by the charity Nuffield Health is also located on the campus at 38 Giltspur Street, London, EC1A 7BS.
Address, travel and parking
St Bartholomew's Hospital address
St Bartholomew's Hospital
West Smithfield
London
EC1A 7BE
Phone: 020 7377 7000
Download a map of St Bartholomew's Hospital
Please note, an independent hospital run by Nuffield Health is also located on the St Bartholomew's Hospital campus.
Getting here
You can travel to the hospital in a number of ways including on foot, by car, by bike or by public transport. We also provide a patient transport service.
By bus
The following buses stop outside or close to the hospital: 4, 8, 17, 25 (24 hour service), 45 46, 56, 63, 76, 100, 153, 172, 242 (24 hour service) and 521 (Mondays to Fridays only) as well as night buses N8, N63 and N76.
Low-floor wheelchair accessible buses run on all routes serving St Bartholomew's Hospital.
By bike
We encourage visitors, staff and patients living nearby to cycle to the hospital where possible. Cycle parking facilities are available around the hospital:
Cycle hire:
- Santander Cycle hire docks are located on West Smithfield near the King Henry VIII Gate entrance and on King Edward Street near main reception entrance
- City of London provides dockless hire bays and can be viewed via their interactive map
- Coming soon - Brompton Hire dock on-site
Cycle parking:
- Onsite cycle rack facilities are available outside the transport lounge and outside the Nuffield Health at St Bartholomew's Hospital building, the latter can accommodate most cargo bikes
- Offsite City of London cycle racks are located near hospital entrances
- Secure cycle store area available for Barts Health employees (please visit main reception to update access card)
By tube
The closest underground stations are St Paul's (5 minute walk), Barbican (7 minutes), Farringdon (8 minutes), Blackfriars (10 minutes), Moorgate (17 minutes).
By train
The nearest National Rail stations are Blackfriars (10 minute walk), Cannon Street (15 minutes), City Thameslink (7 minutes), Moorgate (17 minutes) and Farringdon (8 minutes). Liverpool Street station is a 17 minute walk or a short tube, bus, bike or taxi ride away.
By car or taxi
There is no public parking at the hospital. If you do need to drive, the Rotunda multi-storey public car park is close to the hospital in West Smithfield. NCP Aldersgate multi-storey is also nearby.
St Bartholomew's Hospital operates a one-way system with drop-off and pick up at three designated laybys, with a maximum stay of 10 minutes. You can access the drop off point from Giltspur Street and exit onto King Edward Street.
Infopoints at the hospital allow you to make free calls to taxi companies to arrange your journey home. There is an infopoint located at the main entrance on King Edward Street. There are additional infopoints at the exit of Clinic 2, at the patient transport lounge by Clinic 3 and by the discharge lounge outside ward 4A.
Blue Badge holders
There are a small number of parking bays for Blue Badge holders. These are accessed via Giltspur Street. Drivers who are registered disabled and have a Blue Badge can also check where to park at on the City of London Corporation website.
Charging zones
St Bartholomew's Hospital is situated within the congestion charge zone and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
Refunds of hospital transport costs
You may be able to claim a refund for the cost of your transport to hospital through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) if you:
- are not eligible for patient transport services (PTS)
- cannot afford the cost of travelling to hospital
- cannot get a friend or relative to take you
Patient transport
Please contact our call centre on 020 7767 3344 to request patient transport. Lines are open Monday to Saturday, between 7am and 8pm for bookings, and 24/7 for general queries.
Shops, cafes and other services
Shops
The Guild Shop can be found on the ground floor of the KGV building. It sells toiletries, confectionery, newspapers and magazines, cards and hospital souvenirs. The shop is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4pm. The shop is run by volunteers from the Barts Guild. Opening hours may be subject to change.
Restaurant and coffee shop
Light refreshments are available from the coffee shop in the basement of the KGV building. There is a restaurant on the second floor of KGV, which serves hot food and a coffee shop on the groundfloor of the West Wing. A restaurant on the first floor of the catering block also serves hot food and drinks.
Wifi
Free wifi is available throughout the hospital. If you encounter any problems, please call the 24/7 helpdesk on 0344 848 9555.
Hospital Radio
Barts Hospital Radio is free and provides programs of entertainment, music, and news: 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Overnight accommodation
James Hora Home at The Royal London Hospital provides accommodation for relatives and carers of critical care and surgical patients. The home also accommodates patients who may find it difficult to make regular visits to St Bartholomew’s Hospital for treatment.
The home has space for up to 26 guests. Please speak to a member of the ward/clinic staff about a referral to stay in James Hora Home or contact them on 078 8055 3525. Please note, direct bookings cannot be made.
Chaplaincy
Chaplains of many faiths are available to speak to all patients, relatives and carers. Information about your religious preference will be passed to the chaplaincy.
Nuffield Health at St Bartholomew's Hospital
An independent hospital run by Nuffield Health is located on the St Bartholomew's Hospital campus.
Nuffield Health at St Bartholomew’s Hospital
38 Giltspur Street
London
EC1A 7BS
Download a map of Nuffield Health at St Bartholomew's Hospital
Visiting a patient
We're welcoming visitors to St Bartholomew's Hospital. Before you arrive, please read the following guidance:
Contact the ward
Guidance may differ in some parts of the hospital to keep people safe, including areas caring for vulnerable patients. Wards may also have set visiting times and protected mealtimes.
Please check with the ward beforehand. Contact details can be found on this page.
Keeping you safe
All visitors must:
-
Wear a hospital provided surgical facemask when visiting a patient on the ward with a respiratory illness. Universal mask wearing is no longer required, but if you would prefer to wear one these are available at hospital entrances
-
Use the hand gel provided
-
Wash your hands regularly
Do not visit if:
- You have Covid-19 symptoms or have tested positive
- You've recently been in close contact with someone who's tested positive for Covid-19
- You have any respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing or sore throat
- You've been sick or have diarrhoea
Children and young people
Visitors must be aged 12 or over. Some exceptions apply such as for patients at the end of life. Please speak to the ward or department you are visiting.
We are unable to accommodate overnight visits.
Ward and department contact numbers
If you are having trouble contacting an area of the hospital, please try our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 020 3465 5919.
| Ward or department | Telephone number |
|---|---|
| Hospital switchboard | 020 7377 7000 |
| Radiotherapy reception |
0203 465 5222 0203 465 6222 |
| Nucleur medicine reception |
0203 465 5900 0203 465 5767 |
| Clinic 3 | 0203 765 8154 |
| 1C (intensive care unit) |
0203 765 8344 0203 465 8038 0203 465 8341 |
| 1D (high dependency unit) |
0203 765 8327 0203 765 8028 |
| 1E (intensive care unit) |
0203 765 8013 |
| 2nd floor clinic 4 reception (cystic fibrosis patients only) | 0203 465 6565 |
| 2nd floor clinic 5 reception |
0207 480 4899 |
| 2nd floor cardiac MRI reception |
0203 465 6113 0203 465 6335 |
| Cath lab reception | 0203 465 8065 |
| Radial lounge (3C) | 0203 465 6387 0203 765 8061 |
| 3A West (cardiac services) |
0203 465 6537 0203 465 6530 |
| 3A East (cardiac services) |
0203 465 5411 0203 465 5416 0203 465 6849 0203 465 5447 |
| 3D (cardiac inpatients) | 0203 465 6526 |
| 3D (cardiac day unit) | 0203 465 6528 |
| 4A (cardiothoaracics and endocrinology) |
0203 765 8106 0203 765 6867 |
| 4B (cardiothoaracics and endocrinology) |
0203 465 6366 0203 465 6364 |
| 4C (respiratory and cystic fibrosis) |
0203 465 6586 |
| 4D (respiratory and cystic fibrosis) |
0203 765 8076 0203 765 8376 |
| 4E (cystic fibrosis patients only) |
0203 765 8088 |
| 5A (cancer services) |
0203 465 6567 0203 465 5553 |
| 5B (cancer services) |
0203 465 6551 0203 465 5567 0203 465 5552 |
| 5C (cancer services) |
0203 465 5508 0203 765 6500 |
| 5D (cancer services) |
0203 465 5346 0203 465 6346 |
| 6A (intensive care unit) |
020 346 55915 |
| 6C (intensive care unit) |
020 3465 6886 |
| 6D (cancer and cardiac services) |
020 3465 6545 020 3465 5545 |
| 7A (cancer services) |
0203 465 6789 0203 465 6786 |
Square Mile Stories
A small change to clinical practice has improved the flow of heart patients throughout our hospitals, saving money and improving sustainability. …
The future of healthcare is in good hands thanks to a partnership with one of the City of London’s ancient livery companies.…
North east London residents are at less risk of stroke thanks to an award-winning collaboration.…
On a pilgrimage to Rome, 900 years ago, Rahere, a favourite courtier of King Henry I, fell ill and, believing he was dying, vowed “erect a hospital for the restoration of poor men.” …
Surgeons have used a robot to operate on a beating heart for the very first time at Barts Heart Centre.…
A secret burial chamber, built below Britain’s oldest hospital and housing human remains, has been uncovered during preparations for a Royal visit.…
![image-Bernard and family with David in square[81].png](/media/images/versions/img94joktmu749217.png)
Meet Bernard, a patient at St Bartholomew’s Hospital who found himself in a battle not just with illness but with a waning spirit.…
We spoke to Dan about his work to make heart scans quicker and safer.…
A robot that can reach suspect tumours in the lungs could diagnose cancer much earlier.…
A spectacular city fair last held in 1855 is to return later this month coinciding with the 900th anniversary of the local hospital.…