Barber-Surgeons’ Hall
Monkwell Square, Wood St, Barbican, London EC2Y 5BL
In the Middle Ages, barbers were also surgeons. Since members of the clergy were forbidden to practise medicine, monastery barbers, already skilled with blades, carried out bloodletting, tooth pulling and minor operations.
Beside the remains of the Roman city wall is the Barbers’ Physic Garden. The plants growing here are recorded in Gerard’s Herball of 1597 and include familiar garden herbs such as sage, rosemary and thyme, as well as medicinal plants used to treat wounds, burns and infections.
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Directions to next stop: Return up the slope to London Wall. Carefully cross into Noble Street and walk along the line of the Roman fort wall. At the junction with Gresham Street, cross over and continue straight ahead into Foster Lane. Walk past Goldsmiths’ Hall and continue to Cheapside. Cross Cheapside, then cross New Change into St Paul’s Churchyard. Follow the path to the left around the cathedral to the main crossing. Cross in front of St Paul’s and walk straight down to the Millennium Bridge.