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The free museum and library for the incurably curious


This week at Wellcome Collection

Photograph of a visitor exploring the exhibition, Smoke and Mirrors at Wellcome Collection. Photograph shows a women in the background looking at an object in a display case. In the foreground is a large colourful poster showing a man in a Victorian swimming costume suspended upside down in a tank of water.
  • Exhibition

Smoke and Mirrors

11 April 2019—15 September 2019

Now on

Photograph of a male magician holding up 2 playing cards in each hand, looking directly to camera. In the foreground are the backs of the heads of his audience. The magician is bathed in the pink and blue of the stage lighting.
  • In-Gallery Performance

Smoke and Mirrors Live Performances

11 April 2019—4 May 2019

  • Gallery tour

Daily Guided Tours and Discussions

Tuesday–Sunday

11:30, 14:30 and 15:30

Photograph of the Medicine Man exhibition at Wellcome Collection showing a wall of oil paintings with two visitors standing in front.
  • Permanent exhibition

Medicine Man

Now on

All exhibitions and events

Latest articles, comics and more

Photograph of a man's head seen through a glass window. His head is out of focus and merges with the reflection of another scene.
  • Serial
Part6

Enduring taboos and the future of skin bleaching

Many condemn skin bleaching in public while secretly lightening their own complexions. To break away from these taboos, we need honest information and open conversation.

Part of Skin Bleaching

Photograph of the front of a house with the front door slightly open and forensic crime scene numbered yellow markers on the ground. In the foreground is a police cordon with 'Police Do Not Cross' written across the tape.
  • Essay

Are doctors medical detectives?

Do doctors really identify medical conditions in the same way that detectives solve crimes? Neurologist Jules Montague makes her diagnosis.
Photograph of Image of a large letter saying: Dr. Frank Truth, Nerve specialist. I consider you require an entire change in your surroundings. In fact you must get right away from the conditions you have been living under. A woman appears behind the letter, with a man walking away in the foreground.
  • Image gallery

When civilisation made people sick

Sickness from nervous exhaustion is not a new thing. Over a hundred years ago, neurasthenia afflicted society’s ‘brain-workers’.

Part of From Our Collections

Photograph of a woman wearing a pink head scarf facing towards the camera. Her face is out of focus and partially obscured by a bunch of flowers.
  • Serial
Part5

Identifying skin lightening agents in cosmetics

Could your moisturiser be damaging your health? If it contains skin-lightening agents, the answer is yes. But this is an area where consumers definitely do not have the upper hand.

Part of Skin Bleaching

All stories

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Wellcome collectionWellcome Collection

  • Visit us
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Finding us:

183 Euston RoadLondon NW1 2BEUK

Getting here

T: +44 (0)20 7611 2222
E: info@wellcomecollection.org

Opening times:

Today's opening times

  • Galleries 10:00—18:00
  • Library 10:00—18:00
  • Kitchen 11:00—18:00
  • Café 08:30—18:00
  • Shop 09:00—18:00

Opening times

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