Sick To Death

Sick To Death is an exciting and slightly scary attraction located in the historic center of the city of Chester. This unique museum, housed in the former St Michael’s Church, offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the "filthy" history of medicine, disease, and treatment methods practiced over centuries. It is not a traditional boring museum with dusty display cases, but a lively, interactive space where science meets black humor.

The venue positions itself as a "history of medicine with a twist." Here, in one of the most colorful locations Great Britain has to offer, guests learn how humanity fought the plague, what strange potions doctors of the past used, and why hygiene became the savior of civilization. It is an educational attraction that skillfully balances between horror and fun, making complex historical topics accessible for all ages.

The main feature of Sick To Death is its atmosphere. Instead of sterile halls, you are greeted by gloomy decorations, figures of plague doctors, and interactive exhibits that allow you to literally touch the past. This place is perfect for those seeking unconventional experiences and wanting to learn the flip side of the shiny history of the Middle Ages.

To plan your visit and clarify details, you can use the museum's official contact information. This will help you find out about special events or temporary exhibitions in advance.

A visit to Sick To Death involves active interaction with the exhibits. Guests can try their hand as a medieval doctor, attempting to diagnose a patient on interactive screens, or learn what herbs and dubious ingredients were used to create medicines hundreds of years ago. Particularly popular is the opportunity to take a selfie with the Grim Reaper (Death) or a figure of a Plague Doctor in full regalia.

You will be able to explore "Death Alley," where the impact of various pandemics on humanity is clearly shown, and even look inside the human body thanks to visual models demonstrating anatomy and the consequences of diseases. For children and adults, there are game elements, such as the "Wheel of Misfortune," which playfully predicts your fate in conditions of medieval poor sanitation.

Don't forget to stop by the zone dedicated to "magical" remedies of the past, where myths about miraculous elixirs are debunked. Interaction with the exhibits is designed to evoke emotions — from slight disgust to laughter and surprise, turning the learning process into an exciting quest.

The Sick To Death attraction is located in the very heart of the historic center, on the famous shopping galleries (The Rows). The exact address of the site is: Bridge Street Bridge Saint Row, East, Chester CH1 1NW. Thanks to its central location, it is easy to get here on foot from most hotels and other tourist spots in the city.

If you arrive at the main railway station, the walk to the museum will take about 15–20 minutes. You can also use city buses running from the station to the center (stop "Chester Bus Interchange" or those nearest to Bridge Street). The Park & Ride system is an excellent option for those arriving by car, allowing you to leave your vehicle at a park-and-ride lot and get to the center by bus.

Taxis in this area are widely available. A trip from the station to the intersection of Bridge Street and Eastgate Street will take just a few minutes, after which you will only have to walk a short distance to the entrance, located on the second-floor level of the gallery.

The Sick To Death museum occupies a building with a rich history — the former St Michael’s Church, which served as a spiritual center for residents of the district for centuries. The irony of the location lies in the fact that the place where people used to pray for the salvation of their souls and health now tells the story of the gloomy and often fatal treatment methods of the past. The church itself is an architectural monument, and its ancient stained glass windows and vaults create a unique atmosphere for the exhibition.

Chester, as a city with deep Roman and medieval roots, has survived many epidemics, including the devastating Black Death. The exhibition relies on real historical data on how townspeople coped with diseases in different eras. Here, the evolution of medicine is explored: from strange superstitions and the use of leeches to the first scientific breakthroughs that changed human life expectancy.

The project was created by the organization Big Heritage, which strives to make history accessible and exciting. The transformation of an empty church into one of the city's most popular tourist attractions has become an example of successful revitalization of historical heritage, where the past meets modern interactive technologies.

For a full experience of the Sick To Death exhibition, most visitors require approximately 1–1.5 hours. This time is sufficient to leisurely inspect all the halls, read the information signs, and try the interactive entertainment without feeling tired.

If you like to study every exhibit in detail, take photos in themed zones, or are traveling with children who will want to linger at the game stations, the visit may last up to two hours. The compact size of the museum makes it an ideal itinerary item that is easy to combine with a walk around the city center.

When planning your visit, please note that Sick To Death is open to visitors daily, seven days a week. This makes it a convenient stop on your tourist route on any day of the week.

The museum operates on a single schedule from Monday to Sunday: doors open at 10:00 AM and close at 18:00 PM. It is recommended to arrive at least an hour before closing to have time to view all exhibits without rushing.

After immersing yourself in the world of medieval medicine, it is worth devoting time to exploring the surroundings, as you are in one of the most historically rich districts. A walk through the neighboring streets will allow you to see impressive architecture and visit other significant places that complete the picture of the past.