Foundling Museum

The Foundling Museum explores the history of the Foundling Hospital, the UK's first children's charity and first public art gallery. Through a dynamic programme of exhibitions and events, the museum celebrates the ways in which artists of all disciplines have helped improve children's lives for more than 275 years.

The moving story of the Foundling Hospital, and the children who grew up there, is revealed through artworks, objects and archival documents. Paintings, sculpture, furniture and ceramics are also displayed in beautiful 18th-century interiors, reconstructed from the original Hospital building.

The Museum also holds the Gerald Coke Handel Collection, an internationally-important collection of material relating to composer George Frideric Handel and his contemporaries.

The Museum regularly hosts concerts, talks, performances, workshops and drop-in family activities.

A cloakroom and baby changing facilities are available. The Foundling Museum Café serves a selection of hot and cold food, drinks and cakes during opening hours. The Museum shop offers a range of books, CDs, cards and gifts relating to the Collections and exhibitions, including contemporary jewellery, stationery and children’s books.

The Museum has ramped access, a lift to all floors and accessible toilets. A wheelchair, facilities for guide dogs, large print interpretation texts and magnifying glasses are also available on request.