Explore more than 275 years of London history at the Foundling Museum.
Discover the story of the Foundling Hospital, the children who lived there, and its vibrant community of artists, musicians and supporters through the Museum’s galleries and historic rooms.
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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
Tuesday - Saturday
10.00am - 17.00pm
Sunday
11.00am - 17.00pm
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.