This was my first visit ( 27/1/22 ) with my daughter who is studying psychology. I didn't even know the museum existed till I saw a "tik tok" about it. It was very interesting to see and learn about mental health throughout the ages. Of course there are certain objects and information about treatments that people may find uncomfortable, however it's fact not fiction. My only critique is that the museum part was smaller than I thought. When you see the building outside it looks impressive, however it shouldn't take you more than an 1.5 hours to see and read and interact with the exhibition and museum. As with other museums I could spend a whole day there and still have to visit again. Our minds are such a huge topic, mental health and wellbeing etc could go on and on and on. It's all run by volunteers and it's only open Wed-Fri currently anyway. If you get a chance to visit please do so.

A free and interesting little museum that is located within a former admin block on the hospital grounds. It provides an overview of mental health and treatments over history. It is also now on the new TFL SL5 Superloop bus service between Bromley and Croydon.

Wow very nice museum I visit this place I love this place museum is very antique the painting are really very interesting and some painting are very funny I click photos here also I like this place because this is my first museum where I visit and I have also a YouTube channel where I publish my videos where I travel also shoot this place video and should rate this museum 5 star ratings .This was my first visit ( 27/1/22) with my daughter who is studying psychology. I didn't even know the museum existed till I saw a "tik tok" about it. It was very interesting to see and learn about mental health throughout the ages. Of course there are certain objects and information about treatments that people may find uncomfortable, however it's fact not fiction. My only critique is that the museum part was smaller than I thought. When you see the building outside it looks impressive, however it shouldn't take you more than an 1.5 hours to see and read and interact with the exhibition and museum. As with other museums I could spend a whole day there and still have to visit again. Our minds are such a huge topic, mental health and wellbeing etc could go on and on and on. It's all run by volunteers and it's only open Wed-Fri currently anyway. If you get a chance to visit please do so.

A surprising and fascinating find. Bedlam was the first psychiatric hospital as long ago as the 13th century. Back then people would pay to be "entertained" by the inmates. Many famous artists have ended up as patients there, and they have a museum dedicated to their work. Louis Wain might be my new favourite artist. I think his schizophrenia might have improved his work.

It was a pleasure visiting this Free local museum. Great place to visit to see some fascinating art and learn about the history of the hospital. The only thing that can be improved is the lighting in the galleries, it would have been nice if they were less dark so you can appreciate the detailed paintings 🔍

Interesting couple of hours covering the history of mental health care. Particularly strong on artistic responses to mental illness. Lovely 30s building. Perhaps item labelling could be clearer in some cabinets.

Very good museum. Lovely huge garden as well. Great 1930s building. The permanent exhibition was particularly good. Very well curated and informative. Especially all videos were very interesting. Hope they will update every 10 or 20 years reflecting on the recent research (e.g. Will we be still using ECT as a treatment in next 20 years?) Will visit again definitely. One thing they can improve is that the labeling of each item (particularly paintings) was slightly confusing. Perhaps they can number each item and put descriptions somewhere as a book so that everything is clear.

As a psychology student, this place was as fascinating as it was slightly haunting. It was an amazing experience to witness the old (and new) methodologies of treating mental illnesses. Worth the trip!

This is the best place I have come across, to-date, where we can learn about each other more honestly, intimately and safely. Where the factual history of psychiatric treatment is separated from fiction by experts (clinicians and researchers). And above all, where the service-user perspectives are portrayed to come to life in front of you. Together - with the initial walk through the Gallery and up the stairs, past Melancholy and Raving Madness - I am sure you will leave the Museum a better person. My family and I certainly did - thank you!

Very interesting and unique museum, would definitely visit again

Such a beautifully presented museum, I was really impressed. So many stories, exhibits and artwork detailing the history of an amazing place. I had no idea the grounds were so extensive either! Really impressed, worth a visit if you are interested in the history of (and current issues surrounding) mental health care in this country.

almost cried thrice so it's an automatic 5 stars for me. shame they didn't have louis wain's "i am happy because everyone loves me" cat painting but it's fine because i got a notebook with the artwork on the cover from the gift shop, so all is well :,)

Fascinating FREE museum, and lovely staff and Volunteers. Highly recommended.

The place is really quiet and not many people go there but it's beautiful.

Free to enter museum currenty exhibiting the works of Louis Wain with a sensory art display on the ground floor. Traces the history of mental health treatment over more than 700 years. Facinating and moving.

Bigger and more content than I expected considering it's attached to a working hospital. Both focuses on the history of Bethlem and current psychiatry topics. Lots of patient-led and creative content and if you're in psychiatry/ology many of the volunteers are current or former professionals and really interesting and helpful. Also admission is free (voluntary donations accepted). Well worth a trip for an off the beaten path museum in London.

Peaceful and thought provoking

This is an amazing exhibition, and really well put together. It's full of exciting artwork and the museum illuminates what it is to experience mental illness..well worth the trek to see it.

Interesting exhibition, beautiful place, and friend staff.

A peaceful place to understand on the mindset of the people who are distracted. A full study of human psychology is done provided for understanding.

A good experience of a world dedicated to healing the inside of people.

Good museum, free entry. Check the opening hours on their website before your visit.

Don't even bother entering the main gate, why would anyone in any state of mind pay for a guided tour of trama based ideas in a dirty outdated and closed down hospital. Probably to get your card information technology ect. AVOID

A very interesting place showing the history and treatment of patients over the last few hundred years. Exhibits show the good and bad practices that have been used, which demonstrates the kindness and misinformed actions of people trying to help, treat and support those of us that are faced with known and unknown challenges. But once you've experienced the museum there are the beautiful grounds and nature walks to enjoy and reflect.

To all the brave people who wrote something about their mental condition. My heart goes out to you. Please know you are endlessly loved. You are more than the illness you describe. The hospital's written introduction to the exhibition would benefit from a review by 'Campaign for Plain English' Despite this blunder, the deeply personal statements attached to the photos of contributors, have lifted my Review, back up to a 5*. I was really moved by the things I saw and read. An excellent 3D photographic tour. Thank you to all contributors.

Very well organized and informative, the tour was a good eye opener.

If you love history then this is worth a visit, only enough here though for a couple of hours

Wow very nice museum I visit this place I love this place museum is very antique the painting are really very interesting and some painting are very funny I click photos here also I like this place because this is my first museum where I visit and I have also a YouTube channel where I publish my videos where I travel I also shoot this place video and should rate this museum 5 star ratings

We visited on a Saturday and it wasn't crowded (partly due to lockdown most likely). If it wasn't for lockdown we would have interacted with more things and perhaps stayed longer, especially in the upstairs section. Really enjoyed finding out about the history and impact of this place. It was very thought provoking. There was a great selection art and literature available to buy, and we bought a small piece which we plan on framing. If you're prone to sensory overload or stressed by loud noises like me, I'd recommend bringing earplugs or headphones, as with the high ceilings etc. anyone talking can be easily heard, especially if they are loud.

Beautiful collection great minds good artists Mental Health issues resolved by art work And creativity nice place to run away from busy centres in London

Interesting place within lovely grounds... wonderful to see the Louis Wain art

Really interesting museum and well worth a visit not just for the art but the historical medical equipment. My favourite from today was Louis Wain's cat art exhibition.

The Art and museum rooms were enjoyable. Mental health is important and a little more understanding by the public could help everyone. Will go again. Free Parking plenty available outside hospital grounds. Not sure what parking is available inside grounds.

A small exhibition of the work of Louis Wain, famous for his cat art, is currently on show, complementing the permanent exhibition of the history and treatment of mental illness. An online version lets you see the items as they are displayed and read the labels clearly. Items relating to the new film about Louis Wain are on display. The museum and exhibition are free to visit.

Fascinating museum dedicated to mental health.

We managed to visit the Bethlem Museum of the Mind last year during their exhibition, "Animal Therapy: The Cats of Louis Wain". As huge admirers of Wain's beautiful anthropomorphic illustrations, we were beyond delighted to catch the exhibition on the last day! The museum presented a wonderful curation of his work - the way they walked you through Wain's life was done with such reverence. We loved being able to see his commercial illustrations in situ in magazines from the Victorian era, and to see originals of the prints we have in our home was very special. Really well thought out and extensive exhibition done brilliantly by Bethlem, we loved it.

A very thought provoking Museum. From the somewhat dark history through to today with artworks that provide a particularly sober view. It would be weird to say I enjoyed it but certainly glad that I visited.

This museum is a cultural gem in Bromley. The site itself feels relaxing and peaceful despite being a working hospital, and the museum building gives wonderful views of the grounds. The permanent collection gives a fascinating and important history of mental health care tied to the hospital’s history across multiple sites in London. There are many different forms of media, and the two temporary exhibitions I saw were moving and relevant to current culture. The museum is well connected by public transport and is a great place to spend a couple of hours.

A nice place to spend a hour or two reading and learning about issues of the mind and what some people go through . I believe everyone should learn a little about this subject as it is important to all . Nice museum , free entrance and parking on the main road for free . Enjoy 😊

Fantastic museum and very thought provoking. Hidden gem and well worth a visit

Great selection on history of psychiatry in permanent gallery though dress warm room cold. Loved the temporary exhibition on advocacy across from it. Ends 4 Jan 2020. Recommend heartily ! Really great - was interesting and inspiring. Nice art shop.

Nice!

Good little museum. History of the site and mental health. Has gallery also.

This is a fascinating museum in so many ways: thought-provoking art work ( I went to The Anatomy of Melancholy exhibition) and an informative and engaging permanent collection in a beautiful setting. One of the most original and interesting museums.

(Translated by Google) Historically very rich about mental illness (Original) Historicamente muito rico sobre doença mental

Amazing museum. Well worth a visit if you want to learn more about mental health or just to go to an event or exhbition. Friendly and helpful staff. It is set in some lovely grounds with the gallery in the same building. Easy access and free parking. Suitable for groups. They offer tours of requested. Great little gift shop.

Highly recommended, you can spend there 4 hours at least! Lovely staff :)

Remarkable; dignified, informative, immersive and superbly curated. An exceptional experience and unconditionally recommended. Seek this out. Revisited (3 years on) Allow extra time to explore the extensive grounds here.

Highly recommended! Very thought provoking

Very interesting and thought provoking. Free of charge but a donation of £2 is gratefully received. Will go back. Parking is free and you can explore the grounds

Interesting museum and gallery. Very friendly staff and volunteers

so interesting and the presentations were very cool and interesting. would love to go again

Bigger than I thought and quite therapeutic, but still quite small

Amazing museum with a amazing content of reality I extremely recommend.

Definitely not enough for a hole day trip definitely more of a thing to look at when you're in the area, but what it does have is very interesting.

The historical architectural features

Great little museum, worth travelling to from other parts of London.

A few hours here will give your own brain exercise considering what other people’s brains have to go through. Real food for thought! Excellent.

What’s great about this museum is the honest way this hospital’s own history is evaluated. Some of the best exhibits are in the audio clips available in understated parts of the museum.

Wonderful place to visit and such a rich history of mental health. It’s unique and absolutely put this on your list to visit. There is nothing else like it.

Great artwork and the guide was knowledgeable. Set in fantastic calming grounds.

So interesting. Staff are very knowledgable.

Brilliant place to reflect on the past and to appreciate the progress of science.

The grounds were amazing and well preserved so you could just imagine the aura of menace in the air...

The mìnd: exploring: incredable: Free.

Very fine museum and we enjoyed Cake and conversation second Wed 11am

Have a look round

Great visit with very friendly and knowledgeable hosts. A must see!

Fascinating museum, especially if you get one of the great volunteers to explain things you won't realise just wandering on your own. I loved the William Kurelek painting "The Maze" - and the sister piece "Out of the Maze". We also visited the community cafe for a cuppa afterwards and all the staff/volunteers were really friendly and welcoming.

Not worth a crosstown trip but interesting if nearby.

Worth a visit, accessible and sympathetic presentation of people's experience of mental illness - recommended

This is a quick but deep look at mental healthcare issues. Worth the trip for sure! Very attentive and informative staff.

Out patient here in 1996 up 2000 it beautiful hospital one best mental health hospital in country and tell history of professional mark who one champion of mental health so people today was treating better with mental we came long it think NHS hospital like Bethany royal hospital.

Cancel didn't go

Lots to learn and discover in this small but beautiful museum. This is where I first learned of Louis Wain, a talented yet somewhat tortured soul. Mostly known for his fabulous cartoons of cats (being a cat owner was reason to draw me to him). I just popped in with my sister curious about this place during one of their exhibitions. It's free but donations accepted which I am happy to when possible. Like most museums they have a small (well tiny) gift shop . Worth a visit.

Very interesting and informative. Lots to see and learn about the history of Bethlem. Shop to buy souvenirs and work done by the patients of Bethlem, reading and listening to the history and stories of previous patients. Loads of fabulous Artists spent time at bethlem inc Louis Wain and Boris johnson’s Mother

A really good museum. Its definitely worth the trip. It has some interactive features and the art in the museum was by the patients. Impressive.

Fantastic museum. Enthusiastic staff. Did melancholy tour great staff member did brilliant, informative short talk. Tea and coffee available in foyer. Well worth a visit. We are going again.

My work Miss Havisham wedding dress is on show

A revelation Why don't people know about this beautiful place

Met a weird guy named Goldstriker here, kept trying to get me on his show "the fish tank." Other than that, very good museum.