Warneford 200
Mental Health
through the Ages
About the project
Warneford 200 is a year-long programme of events led by Oxford Health Charity and partners, marking 200 years of mental health care at the Warneford Hospital in Oxford.
Since its opening in July 1826, the Warneford has been a working hospital at the heart of mental health care.
The bicentenary is not just a moment to reflect on the past, it’s a chance to uncover and share untold stories from patients, staff and the wider community. Through exhibitions, talks, creative projects and digital storytelling, Warneford 200 will explore how mental health care has evolved in Oxfordshire over two centuries, shaped by the people who lived, worked and received treatment at the Warneford Hospital.
This project has been made possible by a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. We thank lottery supporters for enabling us to commemorate this history and highlight the importance of compassionate, patient-centred care.
If you would like to share your memories of the Warneford Hospital, please get in touch.
Within These Walls
We’re delighted to announce that tickets have now gone on sale to watch a moving new play exploring 200 years of life inside a mental health institution.
Written by Janet Bolam, Within These Walls is a collaboration between Human Story Theatre and Oxford Health Charity to mark 200 years of Warneford Hospital.
The play reflects on the lives of those who have lived within the walls of an institution, about the people who care for them, and the enduring healing power of human connection.
The production will run at Warneford Hospital’s former chapel from 23 June to 4 July, with all proceeds from ticket sales going to support the work of Oxford Health Charity.
This will be followed by performances at the Old Fire Station theatre in Oxford from 10 to 14 July.
Find out more
Discover The Warneford
Read about Warneford Hospital’s history and its future; discover its people and find out how care for mental health has evolved over the years.
These pages offer a glimpse into the history of Warneford Hospital, with a selection of stories, photographs and artefacts from the archives. There’s much more to see at our travelling exhibition events though that take place throughout 2026.
The History of the Warneford tells the story of the founding of the Warneford Hospital – who it was for, who paid for it and how it developed over two hundred years.
A group of art students from Oxford Brookes University have been lending their creative talents to the Warneford 200 exhibition and new therapy garden. Foundation Art students have been working with the Oxford Health Arts Partnership to bring patient case files from the hospital archives to life. Having seen the first Warneford 200 exhibition at…
Warneford 200 exhibition opens in Headington
The Warneford 200 exhibition has opened its doors in Headington this week as part of a year-long programme of events to commemorate 200 years of the Warneford Hospital. Presented by Oxford Health Charity, curated by the History of Science Museum, University of Oxford, and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the exhibition explores how mental health care has evolved in…
If you would like to share your memories of the Warneford Hospital, please send us a message here.
Events & exhibitions
Stay informed
Register your interest below to hear more about Warneford 200 and the work of Oxford Health Charity.
Partners & volunteers
The Warneford 200 project is supported by the following project partners:
Additional funding for the Warneford 200 project is provided by:
