Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum

In 1928 Sir Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in a laboratory at St Mary’s Hospital, and this discovery changed the world of modern medicine. Fleming’s original laboratory has been restored and now operates as a small museum dedicated to Sir Alexander Fleming and his discovery of penicillin.

What to see at the Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum

The museum consists of three rooms: Sir Alexander Fleming’s laboratory, a room where you can watch a short film and a room with displays about Sir Alexander Fleming and the impact of his discovery of penicillin.

Museum staff are very helpful and are able to answer any questions and are often able to give you a short guided tour of the laboratory.

Visiting the Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum

The Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum is located in St Mary’s Hospital near Paddington railway station. The closest tube station is Paddington, which is only a three-minute walk away.

The museum can be hard to find as it is not clearly signposted and you often have to ring the intercom to be let into the building.

This museum is not wheelchair accessible.

Photography is not allowed inside the museum.

Afterwards, stop by at the Fountains Abbey, the pub across the road that was frequented by Sir Alexander Fleming and which claims to be the original source of the penicillium mould.

It is a small museum and a visit shouldn’t take longer than an hour.