About

Glenside Hospital Museum is located within the grounds of the old hospital. It aims to inform, educate and de-stigmatise mental illness and learning difficulties.

Expect topically themed art exhibitions integrated into our permanent collections, with fresh displays hung at least once a year.

Housed in the original hospital chapel, a Grade II listed building, Glenside Hospital Museum has an extensive collection showing the changes and development in the treatment of mental health from 1860s to the late 20th century. This important collection paints a vivid picture of the life of patients and staff in the former Glenside Hospital and an insight into the institutions run for the care of people with disabilities and learning difficulties.

In addition, the history of the hospital during the First World War is told through an extensive collection of postcards. The Asylum was requisitioned by the War Office and became Beaufort War Hospital. The famous artist Stanley Spencer was a medical orderly here and many of his paintings at Sandham Memorial Chapel at Burghclere depict of life at Beaufort War Hospital.

Although the museum tackles difficult subject matter there is something to interest everyone, from straitjackets to a padded cell you can enter.

The 2024 exhibition is ‘Answering the call’, a lively celebration of the contributions of Commonwealth nurses who responded to the U.K. government’s invitation to come and work in the brand new National Health Service from 1948.

Tickets:

£5 per person (annual pass)

£2.50 for students and Art Fund members

Under 18s free

Tickets available on Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wednesday-saturday-booking-for-the-museum-tickets-226568351037

Opening times:
Wednesday, 10.00am - 1.00pm
Saturday, 10.00am - 4.00pm

Accessibility:
- Fully accessible venue (flat entrance, wide aisles, indoor ramp)
- Diasabled toilet facilities
- Baby changing area

If you would like to come on a different day, it is possible to arrange for the museum to be open by appointment.