Foundling Museum
Telling the story of a ground-breaking eighteenth-century institution, housed in historic interiors on its original site.
40 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Easily accessible without car
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Facilities for children
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Mostly wheelchair accessible
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Shop
The museum is fully accessible.
The Foundling Museum has more than 275 years of history permeating its objects, stories, and spaces. It tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, which was established in 1739 by the philanthropist Thomas Coram, to care for babies at risk of abandonment.
The Foundling Hospital was the UK’s first children’s charity and became its first public art gallery. It was transformed into one of London’s most fashionable venues by the artist William Hogarth, who encouraged leading artists to donate their work and by the composer George Frideric Handel, who held annual benefit concerts of Messiah in its chapel.
Today the collection includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, furniture, clocks and ceramics. Highlights range from tiny, touching identifying tokens left by mothers with their babies to composer George Frideric Handel’s Will. Artworks on display include work by outstanding contemporary artists like Yinka Shonibare, Tracey Emin and Michael Craig-Martin, as well as those made and donated nearly three centuries earlier by William Hogarth, Thomas Gainsborough and Joshua Reynolds.
Our Gerald Coke Handel Collection is a major research resource for study of the composer and philanthropist George Frideric Handel and his contemporaries. More than 14,000 items include manuscripts, printed music, books, artworks, sound recordings and ephemera.
During its two centuries in operation, the Foundling Hospital looked after a remarkable 25,000 children. The Museum opened in 2004, fifty years after the Foundling Hospital placed its last pupil in foster care. The Museum building is situated in the grounds of the old hospital at 40 Brunswick Square in Bloomsbury (near to Russell Square tube station). It was constructed in the 1930s, and incorporates many architectural features from the original eighteenth-century hospital building.
Visit the Museum to discover the story of the Foundling Hospital, the children who lived there, and its vibrant community of artists, musicians and supporters through its galleries and historic rooms.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Regular Opening Hours
The Foundling Museum is open to visitors throughout the week, with the following hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Saturday: 10am–5pm
- Sunday: 11am–5pm
Amended Opening Hours
Please note that the museum has adjusted hours on the following dates:
- 5 September: Closed from 1pm
- 11 September: Court Room closed from 3pm
- 5 November: Closed from 2pm
- 14 November: Closed from 1pm
- 25 November: First Floor closed
Guided Tours
The museum offers guided tours for groups during regular opening hours, subject to guide availability. At least three weeks' notice is recommended for bookings. Groups larger than 20 visitors must be staggered by 10–15 minutes to ensure a comfortable experience.
Please note: In July and August 2026, the museum will be undergoing building works. Tours booked during this period are subject to change.
Self-Led Group Tours
Groups can also explore the museum independently during opening hours. Groups of 8 or more must book in advance. As with guided tours, groups larger than 20 visitors must be staggered by 10–15 minutes.
Please note: In July and August 2026, the museum will be undergoing building works. Tours booked during this period are subject to change.
Family Activities and Workshops
The museum runs family workshops regularly during school holidays. For specific upcoming dates, please visit the museum's upcoming family workshops page.
Free creative activities are available in the Introductory Gallery, launching on 18 May and available during all regular opening hours.
Permanent Activities
The Hetty Feather Trail is available during museum opening hours for visitors of all ages.
Current Exhibitions and Displays
- Voices in the Room: 16 June – 1 November 2026
- 300 Years of the 'Rival Queens': Handel's 1726 Opera Season: 30 June – 25 October 2026
Upcoming Events
Meet the Experts – Alison Duke on Foundling Voices (In Person): 4 September 2026
Historic Houses members visit free
Adult: £14.50
Concessions: £13.00
Under-21s: Free
Guided tour up to 20 people: £11.50 per adult, £7.50 per student + £96 for the guide (incl. VAT)
Self-Led tour for 8-20 people: £11.50 per adult, £7.50 per student
Book a group visit hereSchools visit free.
University groups wishing to visit must book a group tour.
The museum is fully accessible.
Getting here
40 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ
Four-minute walk from Russell Square tube station, 10 minute walk from Euston and Kings Cross mainline stations. The nearest buses are the 7, 59, 68, 91, 98, 168 and 188 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.
