Foundling Museum Tickets Dates and Times

The Foundling Museum opened in 2004, over 200 years before that, in 1739, Thomas Coram (1668-1751) had established the Foundling Hospital to care for babies at risk of abandonment. Coram, a philanthropist, was appalled by the conditions children faced in London. Each year, about 1,000 babies were abandoned by parents experiencing extreme poverty.

The Foundling Hospital, which continues today as the children’s charity Coram, was designed to care for and educate England’s most vulnerable citizens. The artist William Hogarth and the composer George Frideric Handel played a big part in realising Coram’s vision. Together, they transformed the Hospital into the UK’s first public art gallery, and one of London’s most fashionable venues. Hogarth encouraged leading artists to donate their work and Handel held benefit concerts of Messiah in the Hospital’s chapel.

During its two centuries in operation, the Foundling Hospital looked after a remarkable 25,000 children. Today, our museum building is situated in the grounds of the old Hospital in Bloomsbury. It was constructed in in the 1930s, and incorporates many architectural features from the original eighteenth-century hospital building.

Transport

The nearest buses are the 1, 68, 91 and N91 from Russell Square Station. Cycle docking stations for Santander Cycle Hire are located at Brunswick Square and Russell Square Station. For visitors wishing to travel by car there is an NCP carpark at The Brunswick Shopping Centre. Please contact them

Accessibility

We are committed to making our facilities accessible to all visitors. Visitors with disabilities are entitled to the concessionary rate. Carers of those with disabilities are admitted free of charge.

Facilities

Cloakroom & luggage Unfortunately, we have had to close the cloakroom so please avoid bringing large bags with you. We do have a limited number of lockers for the storage of small bags and coats. Pushchairs & prams Pushchairs and prams can be taken through the galleries via the lift. Please note there is limited space to leave them at reception and they must be folded. Baby changing Baby changing facilities are available on the ground floor. Baby feeding Breastfeeding and bottle feeding is welcomed, there is seating available on all floors. If you would like some privacy please speak to a member of staff to check whether a room is available.

Food & Drink

The Foundling Museum does not have a café on the premises. However, we do have a deal with various local cafés and restaurants where a discount can be used on food and drink purchases – speak to a member of the reception team. During fine weather picnics can be taken to Brunswick Square opposite the Museum. Families can also visit Coram’s Fields – a 5-minute walk away – where there is a café and space to have a picnic.

Photography & Filming

Photography and filming is permitted in the Museum for personal use only, but no flash should be used. Should photography or filming be restricted in the case of special exhibitions, this will be signposted.

Amended Opening Hours

28 May - Court Room closed pm 8 June - Museum closed all day 26 June - Historic rooms closed all day 27 June - Picture Gallery closed am

Opening Hours

Tuesday - Saturday 10.00am - 17.00pm Sunday 11.00am - 17.00pm

Highlights

• Explore more than 275 years of London history .

• Uncover the fascinating story of the Foundling Hospital .

• See the tiny, touching identifying tokens left by mothers with their babies. .

• Wander around stunning historic rooms, with paintings by William Hogarth.

• Get up close to Handel’s Will and the manuscript score of his Messiah.

Inclusions

Admission to the Museum

Current exhibitions and displays

Exclusions

Food and drink