Foundling Museum Map (2025-2021)
Plan your visit with the most up-to-date Foundling Museum Map and explore this powerful tribute to London’s first children’s charity.
The Foundling Museum in London explores the history of the Foundling Hospital, the UK’s first children’s charity and public art gallery. It features exhibitions on child welfare, 18th-century philanthropy, and art by William Hogarth and other supporters. The museum connects social history with visual culture and music.
Navigate directly to the Gerald Coke Handel Collection or trace the moving stories inside the First Floor Introductory Gallery. Need a breather? Head to the calm of the café courtyard.
This map helps you make the most of every moment—from the Picture Gallery’s art to the quiet poignancy of the Foundling Voices installation.
Foundling Museum Map 2025
The Foundling Museum in London is arranged across several floors in its historic Bloomsbury building. The ground floor includes the reception, shop, and baby changing facilities, with lift access to all galleries. The museum’s main displays—covering the story of the Foundling Hospital, art collections, the Court Room, and the Handel Gallery—are located on the upper floors, with clear signage and a lift for accessibility.
Printable Foundling Museum Map PDF 2025
Foundling Museum Map 2021
FAQ
What was the scandal surrounding the Foundling Hospital?
The Foundling Hospital faced scandal and criticism in the 18th century when, after government funding mandated the admission of all children, a surge of infants arrived from across England, leading to extremely high mortality rates—over 80% during the “General Reception” period from 1756 to 1760. This tragedy was compounded by abuses such as the “Coram Men” trade, where vagrants cruelly transported children, and by the later practice of requiring large payments for admissions, which sometimes resulted in children being reclaimed by parents or denied entry if their mothers were not deemed of “good character.” The institution was also criticized for failing to prevent infanticide, encouraging abandonment, and subjecting illegitimate children and mothers to severe social stigma and emotional hardship, with many children dying young or facing lifelong marginalization.
How long does it take to go through the Foundling Museum?
Most visitors spend 1 to 2 hours at the Foundling Museum, with guided tours typically lasting about one hour. Those interested in reading all exhibits or attending special events may wish to stay longer.
Does the Foundling Museum have a cafe?
The Foundling Museum does not have a café onsite. However, visitors can find numerous coffee shops, bakeries, and restaurants within a short walk, and museum admission includes discounts at select local venues
Is parking available at Foundling Museum?
The Foundling Museum does not have its own dedicated car park. Visitors with a Blue Badge for disabled parking may park on the single yellow line directly outside the museum for up to 3 hours or in the residents’ bays opposite the entrance, with the Blue Badge displayed at all times.
