Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The Temple of Vaccinia at Dr Jenner's House in Berkeley, recognised as the world's first vaccination clinic, will reopen to the public on Sunday, 17 May, Edward Jenner's birthday, following a major restoration supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The public reopening follows a celebration evening on Thursday, exactly 230 years since Jenner successfully vaccinated eight-year-old James Phipps in 1796.
The modest garden building, first created as an ornamental folly and later used by Jenner to vaccinate local people free of charge, has undergone major restoration and access improvements. Celebrations will also be held during the May half-term holiday.
The restoration is the first stage of ‘Re-Jenner-ation’, Dr Jenner's House's major plans to restore the museum and site, improve interpretation, education and access. The work has been made possible thanks to a grant of £221,508 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This grant has helped restore the Temple of Vaccinia and develop the initial plans for the renovation of Dr Jenner's House and Garden.
Originally built for Jenner by his friend the Reverend Robert Ferryman as a rustic retreat from his busy working life, the Temple soon became a place of work as well as reflection. After his breakthrough in preventing smallpox through vaccination, Jenner offered vaccination to local people, free of charge, at a time when medical care was beyond the reach of many. This repurposing of the hut led Jenner to playfully rename it The Temple of Vaccinia.
******************
For the latest from Stroud Times visit: stroudtimes.com
******************
Stroud Times - the independent community-based news website.
Encompassing the Stroud locality the team aim to provide engaging human interest stories, comprehensive sports coverage, and championing local businesses' success.
Living in the community they serve, editor Ash Loveridge, journalist Matt Bigwood, and photographer Carl Hewlett have joined forces to provide free-to-view local content devoid of a clickbait agenda and pop-up adverts.
The Temple of Vaccinia at Dr Jenner's House in Berkeley, recognised as the world's first vaccination clinic, will reopen to the public on Sunday, 17 May, Edward Jenner's birthday, following a major restoration supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The public reopening follows a celebration evening on Thursday, exactly 230 years since Jenner successfully vaccinated eight-year-old James Phipps in 1796.
The modest garden building, first created as an ornamental folly and later used by Jenner to vaccinate local people free of charge, has undergone major restoration and access improvements. Celebrations will also be held during the May half-term holiday.
The restoration is the first stage of ‘Re-Jenner-ation’, Dr Jenner's House's major plans to restore the museum and site, improve interpretation, education and access. The work has been made possible thanks to a grant of £221,508 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This grant has helped restore the Temple of Vaccinia and develop the initial plans for the renovation of Dr Jenner's House and Garden.
Originally built for Jenner by his friend the Reverend Robert Ferryman as a rustic retreat from his busy working life, the Temple soon became a place of work as well as reflection. After his breakthrough in preventing smallpox through vaccination, Jenner offered vaccination to local people, free of charge, at a time when medical care was beyond the reach of many. This repurposing of the hut led Jenner to playfully rename it The Temple of Vaccinia.
******************
For the latest from Stroud Times visit: stroudtimes.com
******************
Stroud Times - the independent community-based news website.
Encompassing the Stroud locality the team aim to provide engaging human interest stories, comprehensive sports coverage, and championing local businesses' success.
Living in the community they serve, editor Ash Loveridge, journalist Matt Bigwood, and photographer Carl Hewlett have joined forces to provide free-to-view local content devoid of a clickbait agenda and pop-up adverts.
