The Foundling Museum is a social history museum located in Bloomsbury, central London. The museum tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, Britain’s first children’s charity and a pioneering institution for abandoned children, established in 1739. It also houses an important collection of 18th-century art and music. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, how to get there, accessibility information, what to see inside, and practical tips for planning your visit.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Tuesday–Saturday: 10:00–17:00 | Sunday: 11:00–17:00 | Monday: Closed |
| Ticket prices | Adults: £14.50 | Concessions: £13.00 | 21 and under: Free | Care-experienced individuals: Free |
| Address | 40 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AZ |
| Nearest transport | Russell Square Underground (4 min walk)<br>King’s Cross St Pancras (10 min walk) |
| Time needed | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Annual pass | Ticket valid for unlimited visits for one year |
Foundling Museum opening hours
The Foundling Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00, and Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00. The museum is closed on Mondays. Check the official website for any amended opening hours or closure dates, particularly around bank holidays and special events, before travelling.
Foundling Museum ticket prices
Adult tickets cost £14.50. Concession tickets are available for £13.00 and apply to students aged 22 and over (with valid ID), Camden residents (with proof of address), disabled visitors, ICOM or Museums Association members, National Art Pass holders, and Historic Houses members. Visitors aged 21 and under enter free. Care-experienced individuals and access companions also receive free admission. Selected government benefits claimants can visit free of charge. Tickets are valid for unlimited visits for one year from the date of purchase. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked and updated in January 2026.
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How to get to the Foundling Museum
The Foundling Museum is located in Bloomsbury, close to several major transport hubs. The nearest Underground station is Russell Square (4-minute walk). King’s Cross St Pancras and Euston mainline stations are both approximately 10 minutes’ walk from the museum.
Bus routes 1, 68, 91, and N91 stop at Russell Square, close to the museum. Santander Cycle Hire docking stations are available at Brunswick Square and Russell Square Underground station. Use the TfL journey planner or Citymapper app for the most accurate route information.
Parking at the Foundling Museum
The Foundling Museum does not have dedicated parking. Visitors with a Blue Badge may park on the single yellow line outside the museum for up to three hours, or in residents’ bays opposite the entrance. Blue Badges must be displayed at all times. On Sundays, parking in the spaces directly in front of the museum is free, although space is limited.
The nearest car park is the NCP facility at The Brunswick Shopping Centre. Public transport is recommended for visiting the museum due to limited parking in central London.
How long to spend at the Foundling Museum
Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours at the Foundling Museum. This allows time to explore the permanent collection, which covers three floors, and any temporary exhibitions. Visitors with a particular interest in 18th-century history, art, or social reform may wish to allow longer. The museum ticket is valid for one year, so return visits are possible.
Accessibility at the Foundling Museum
The Foundling Museum has a lift to all floors (dimensions: 80cm wide, 140cm long, 200cm high). A ramp leads to the front door. One non-motorised wheelchair is available to borrow; advance booking is recommended. The museum permits mobility scooters but note the lift’s width restrictions.
Wheelchair-accessible toilets are located on the ground floor and lower ground floor, both fitted with pull cord alarms. There is no changing places toilet. Green chairs and pews are available on all floors, and nine lightweight folding chairs can be found next to the lift. Assistance dogs are welcome, and a water bowl is available on request. Induction loops are located at the reception desk and in the study and creative studios.
What to see at the Foundling Museum
The Court Room on the ground floor displays 18th-century paintings donated by artists including William Hogarth. The room is preserved as it appeared when governors of the Foundling Hospital met here. The Picture Gallery contains works by Hogarth, Gainsborough, and Reynolds, donated to support the hospital and establish Britain’s first public art gallery.
The Gerald Coke Handel Collection includes manuscripts, early editions, and items related to composer George Frideric Handel, a major benefactor of the Foundling Hospital. The Foundling Hospital Story exhibition explores the lives of the children who lived at the hospital and the tokens left by mothers when they gave up their babies. Audio testimonies from care-experienced people provide modern perspectives on the historic themes.
Temporary exhibitions on the lower ground floor explore aspects of childhood, care, and social history. The museum’s archive includes thousands of documents, tokens, and artefacts related to the Foundling Hospital’s history from 1739 to 1954.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip |
|---|
| Book tickets in advance online to guarantee entry, particularly at weekends when the museum is busier. |
| Visit on a weekday afternoon for the quietest experience and fewer tour groups. |
| Tickets are valid for one year, allowing multiple visits if you wish to explore the collection in more depth. |
| Photography is permitted for personal use but flash is not allowed to protect the collection. |
| The museum does not have a café, but discount vouchers for local cafés and restaurants are available at reception. |
| Large bags should be avoided as the cloakroom is closed; a limited number of lockers are available for small items. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Foundling Museum suitable for children? | Yes, the museum offers family-friendly content and activities. Children aged 21 and under enter free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | Booking in advance is recommended to guarantee entry, especially at weekends, but tickets can be purchased on the door subject to availability. |
| Is the Foundling Museum open on Sundays? | Yes, the museum is open on Sundays from 11:00 to 17:00. |
| Are bags allowed? | Yes, but visitors are asked to avoid bringing large bags. A limited number of lockers are available for small bags and coats. |
| How long does a visit take? | Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the museum. |
| Is there wheelchair access? | Yes, the museum has a lift to all floors and ramps to the entrance. One wheelchair is available to borrow. |
Things to do near the Foundling Museum
The British Museum is a seven-minute walk south on Great Russell Street. The museum’s vast collection of world history and culture includes the Rosetta Stone, bust of Rameses II and Egyptian mummies. The Charles Dickens Museum, an eight-minute walk east on Doughty Street, is the author’s former home and contains manuscripts and personal items.
Sir John Soane’s Museum and the Hunterian Museum are much smaller, and endearingly quiry.
The Wellcome Collection, a five-minute walk north on Euston Road, explores connections between medicine, life, and art through exhibitions and collections. The British Library at St Pancras, a ten-minute walk north, offers exhibitions on literary and historical treasures including original manuscripts and rare books. Coram’s Fields, a five-minute walk from the museum, is a children’s park and playground with a café, open to adults only when accompanying a child.
The London Transport Museum and St Paul’s Cathedral are within reasonable walking distance, while other interesting London museums include the Horniman Museum, Florence Nightingale Museum and the Golden Hinde.
More London travel
Other London travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- A practical guide to visiting Eltham Palace.
- Essential information for visiting the Cutty Sark and Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
- Visitor tips for going to the London Dungeon.
- A practical guide to visiting Kenwood House and the Freud Museum in Hampstead.
- A first time visitor’s guide to Kensington Palace.
- Visitor guide to the Tate Modern in London.
