BBC London reveal North Wing progress
BBC London visited the North Wing at St Bartholomew’s Hospital yesterday (1 April) to report on the progress of our restoration project.
The feature looks at how this historic part of the hospital, including its stunning William Hogarth paintings, is being carefully restored so more people can enjoy it.
These artworks have been hidden from public view for centuries, but thanks to a £10 million conservation project, part-funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, they will soon be open to the public.
Barts Heritage, an independent charity, is leading the restoration of the North Wing. Work started in January 2024 with the help of a £5.3 million Heritage Fund grant and is due to finish by autumn 2025.
The project, called Sharing Historic Barts, is bringing new life to these incredible buildings, starting with the North Wing. When it reopens, it will offer events, activities, and educational programmes for visitors and staff, supporting health and wellbeing.
The BBC piece includes interviews with Will Palin, chief executive of Barts Heritage, National Lottery Heritage Fund boss Eilish McGuinness, and Professor Charles Knight, chief executive of St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
Doctors who use the Hogarth Staircase to teach medical students also share their views on why the space is so important. They all highlight the value of protecting the hospital’s history while keeping it a working part of the NHS.
Staff also speak about how having access to such a beautiful space offers a much-needed moment of calm.
You can watch the report on BBC iPlayer until 3 April (20 minutes into the broadcast) or via this link (available until 30 April). The clip is about three minutes long.
The restored spaces are expected to open to the public and staff in autumn 2025.
Image courtesy of Matthew Andrews.
Read more