I enjoyed this museum a lot but I wish that there was more information about the Foundling Hospital and a bit less about their donors. Only about 1/3 of the museum was about the actual place - that part was excellent - but the rest was about a bunch of rich guys. The temporary downstairs exhibit about orphans in comics was very well done!! I really enjoyed that

I had few expectations before coming as to what would see, but was free with Historic Houses. Though a little expensive for 45-60 minutes, it was interesting as gave a good look at first London foundling house, such as why it was needed and what the experience was like for mothers and children. The museum also give a bit of information about artists and philanthropy connections such as artist William Hogarth, George Frederic Handel, and Dickens. It’s spread out over four floors with 1-2 rooms each - and can be seen in about an hour if reading the GF and 2nd floor exhibits, and perusing the art on LG and 1st. A bit of information was on Handel - with the 2nd floor having info on his work Messiah, his last will and testament, music and interesting timeline in centre. Also a small gift shop, life and clean toilets.

The Foundling Museum is a beautiful looking building. Went there mainly to see the Superheroes exhibition but it was a bit disappointing because it was only in one room, so there wasn't much to see. However, it was interesting to learn about superheroes from other cultures. Was shocked by the racist depictions in some of the older comics though - thank goodness things have changed a bit since then.

Overall it was a really fascinating experience. First of all the staff was welcoming and actually made a really good recommendation, buy the ticket see some things grab lunch and finish visiting. Another part is the comic book exhibit, which is amazing conceptually because it helps you realize that orphans make some of the best superheroes. Great use of warnings on racism and the reminder of how comic book content used to be on the past. The way stories were presented helped me as a visitor get immersed in the experience. Also great use of statistics to showcase the reality of the era. In my opinion it is a pricey museum but at the same time it is a story that you don't really hear and impacts you for a longer period of time. Not the most famous of British museums but one that doesn't get the credit it deserves.

I visited the Foundling Museum yesterday with my daughter. It was very interesting, with a lot of information about the history of the Foundling Hospital and its founder, Thomas Coram. A volunteer, Lindi, was very knowledgeable about the museum and items in it. The most moving exhibit was about the tokens which mothers used to leave for their children. There is a room on the top floor devoted to Handel, who was a trustee of the Hospital. Well worth a visit.

London's Foundling Museum pleasantly surprised me with its poignant history and unexpected ties to composer George Frideric Handel. Nestled in the city's heart, it offers a unique glimpse into the past, unraveling the touching tale of the Foundling Hospital. The blend of classic and modern design creates an inviting ambiance. Handel's role in supporting the hospital, coupled with his handwritten music scores, adds a personal touch. While the exhibits are emotionally resonant, a bit more interactivity would enhance the experience. Nonetheless, this museum is a serene haven that unveils London's past and the intertwined threads of charity and art.

Both heartbreaking and inspirational. Amazing art with contemporary works alongside historic pieces. A real gem and worth finding. Provocative when considering current children at risk.

We found this museum by chance and were so glad we did. It’s very interesting. The tokens left by parents with their child as markers to claim back their children provide an interesting assortment of objects. Hansel’s connection to the Foundling Home is also interesting. The Director’s Room on the top floor apparently is one of the finest examples of Roccoco style rooms in London.

The museum is one thing, to see history respected and preserved- but I was moved by the idea of the tokens, the squares of fabrics, ribbon bows - as a way of authenticating a match to your baby. The tragic loss and suffering borne of separating children from their mothers is a sadness that should still deeply resonate with us. It was such a compassionate and progressive idea to start a foundling house to serve the need of the time. Check out the gift shop for unique and relevant books.

This is a thought-provoking museum. It tells many heartbreaking stories that help you to cherish what you have now. But it also has a lot of great and positive collections to let people know about its history and the past of London. This museum need some entry fees, but it is really worth to visit!

Some hard hitting history about foundlings, orphans, and adopted children, and the hardships of growing up not in the Nuclear family in London in the 1700s. Thank you to the attendant downstairs who at first didn't know which Superhero saw their parents murdered, but did some research and got back to me whilst I was still looking at the exhibition to inform me it was Batman. The upstairs painting gallery is a bit more loosely connected to the theme of abandoned children, but the court room was magnificent in all it's splendour. Thought there would have been a lot more about Moses, who must have been the first foundling recorded in history.

Really excellent info about babies left by desperate mothers, heartbreaking little tokens that were supposed to help identify the babies, but the authorities sometimes withheld them. Stories from those who survived into adulthood. Good place to take children, activities, small shop. Cafe across the road. We have Art Card so free.

We visited here on a trip to London because my daughter had recently read Lucky Button and she was fascinated with the history of foundlings. The museum is relatively small in London terms, but well equipped. The ground floor details the founding of the hospital, details of the daily life and upbringing of the foundlings, as well as having a display of the tokens that mothers would leave with their children. This floor was the most interesting for us. The second floor is a gallery housing the paintings from the original hospital. These were an important stream of revenue for the foundling hospital, so with knowledge of its history, the relevance of these paintings is clear. There was also a dress up area for kids on this floor. The top floor housed a collection of items linked to Handel, who played in the Chapel of the hospital. The bottom floor was in transition from a temporary exhibition at the time of our visit. There was a Hetty Feather themed activity pack for my daughter to do and a couple of kids activities around the museum. I wouldn't recommend taking really young children if they're as spirited as my 2 year old, just because there's a lot of breakable items around the museum. But I'd already scoped out the surrounding area and found that adjacent to the museum (on the original grounds of the foundling hospital) is Coram Fields, which houses an excellent play park for children, so my husband tookmy youngest there whilst my daughter explored the museum. Overall it was nice to put into context the people, surroundings and experiences of the foundlings that we'd read about.

Wonderful museum and great exhibition on the finding of family. I really enjoyed the history of that place

You’d learn a lot from this museum. Lush with pictures, real signatures and pendants mothers used to stitch to their abandoned babies. A must visit museum

This is a lovely compact museum with a plethora of famous names involved . It does pull at your heartstrings as you read the stories and especially reading about the tokens. Amazing piece of social history . It is a bit tucked away so can be a bit difficult to find but we'll worth it. So wonderful art work to see as you go round. And music so well worth a visit

I loved this museum more than I thought I would. It’s free with the art fund, but I would’ve paid the price for it, but it was worth the visit. Quite large and informative, but not in an overwhelming way (apart from at the start - but it was a good intro to the whole museum - how it was a children’s home and started by the oldest children’s charity) My favourite parts were the chairs on the top floor that played classical music and the current exhibition ‘The Mother and The Weaver’ that was just perfect in the way that it was made of mainly contemporary art, but suited the museum very well, with its messages

A hidden gem that everyone should be going too. I feel like this museum could have been twice as large since there was so much to learn about the history of the foundation. The foundling tokens alone could be there own museum. I left feeling like there was so much more I could have learned. I regard not buying one of the book in the gift shop.

A very enjoyable and pleasant visit. Did not know quite what to expect but it was genuinely interesting. It was a subject/topic that I had not really considered and, therefore, it was really illuminating. An interesting time, as well, in the growth of London. The museum 'drifts' (quite cleverly) from the history around the Foundling Hospital to Handel (as he was one of the original benefactors). Definitely well worth a visit - and in a nice quiet part of town. I did rather enjoy the armchairs with the built in speakers where you could listen to some of Handel's work. Most soothing! Everything exceedingly well laid out and presented.

Lovely curated experience with wonderful volunteers who provide extensive knowledge on part of London's less known history. Charming museum for those who seek some of London's lesser known museums.

Amazing museum with a lot of information. Great that they have a bag and coat cloak room for free. Be sure to see the parts of the hospital that remain in the coreham park

The Foundling Museum is a specialist museum exhibiting the history of the Foundling Hospital, the Foundling Hospital Collection as well as the Gerald Coke George Handel Collection. The exhibitions show just how far we've come as a society since the days Foundling Hospital was established as the UK's first children's charity, aimed at providing a home for children who would otherwise be forced to live on the streets. This was way back in the days when women could forced to give up their children for various reasons such as poverty or having a child out of wedlock. The ground floor exhibition mainly deals with the former hospital. Personally, I found the tokens collection both heart breaking and uplifting, symbolising both the the only gift a mother had left to give a child and the hope that someday, the token would be the means for the child to be returned to their mother should their circumstances change. The rest of the floors contain an eclectic collection of exhibitions. In the Committee Room, where mothers intending to leave their babies would be interviewed for suitability. The Picture Gallery with paintings of past patrons, governors and hospital officials. The Court Room where the hospitals governors conducted their committee business and entertained important guests. This room is reputed to be one of the best surviving Rococo interiors in London and contains many allegorical paintings alluding to foundlings in Biblical stories, such as Moses. At the moment, The basement floor has an exhibition title "Bedrooms of London", a photographic exhibition of what life is like living in a city with little affordable and social housing for low income families. The museum has no cafe, but the entry ticket gives a 10% discount in Leon Restaurant at the nearby Brunswick Shopping Centre

A really interesting museum. I would recommend going when visiting London.

Nice little museum, capturing a little known piece of history. Tokens left with children so parents could identify them at a later date were very affecting

Fascinating little museum in the heart of London, a five minute walk south of Kings Cross station. Contains both the art work donated to the original Foundling organisation, including masterpieces by Hogarth for example, and also really touching mementos from Mothers who had to leave their children there in the 18th and 19th centuries. Welcoming and helpful staff. Fairly affordable. Think approx £10 a person, not counting deals. There is parking in the square outside, but it is In the charging zone and the Ulez.

Fascinating history, well displayed and very moving. Interesting Handel room on the top floor, showing story of his life and work. You can listen to his music while looking around. All the guides are volunteers, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Definitely recommend a visit - spend 1-2 hours - 15 minutes walk from Kings Cross.

Great Museum, worth visiting to find out about this incredible institution which has been a place of help historically, but also has an astonishing collection of art which has been donated over the years.

An fabulous place to visit, so fascinating and poignant. The exhibition with children's letters to Boris Johnson about Covid were amazing. Will definitely go back again.

Emotive and informative display spread over a number of floors. Lift available if the stairs aren't for you. Top floor of particular interest to lovers of Handel.

A little unknown gem in the heart of Central London. You will get a feel for how hard life in London was for some youngsters. Children admitted to the Foundling hospital been some of the lucky ones. The museum also has various exhibitions so well worth a visit.

The Handel museum, formally known as the Foundling museum, isnt actually as good as you would expect it to be. They do have a will and some manuscripts and an awful lot of copies of the one bust. One the lower floor there is a very small and insignificant exhibit of sorts regarding some sort of foundling hospital that used to be at the same location as the Handel museum. However the majority of the Museum is given over to Handel and not to the far superior story of 18th century poverty and despair of single mothers and their plight, and the man (Coram) who worked hard to help them. But hey ho, hallelujah is a cracking tune.

Prepare for two very different museums in one experience: the story of the Foundling Museum and a display of the art which supported the cause. The hospital’s story is beautifully presented with a variety of physical and digital displays sensitively depicted. What a sad sad reality for the families impacted. The art collection is truly worth a look with many beautiful works from various periods. The current exhibit, Finding Family, is a varied and thought provoking curation of works. Definitely worth future visits.

We held our wedding at the Foundling Museum. Hana and the team were amazing and we loved it. It was the perfect wedding venue!

A very touching museum about an extraordinary place.

A lovely discovery in the heart of the KingsCross area. My daughters have been enjoying Hetty Feather and we sought out the area to explore the history in more detail. I also love Victorian history and this museum did not disappoint in educating me further.

Ok experience. Nice staff, intro gallery was extensive. Not much interpretation elsewhere. Special exhibit on bedrooms was heartbreaking. 3.5 stars if I could.

This is a thought-provoking museum. It tells many heartbreaking stories that help you to cherish what you have now. But it also has a lot of great and positive collections to let people know about its history and the past of London. This museum need some entry fees, but it is really worth to visit

Being an unwanted child in London was a tough reality. The Foundling house is a museum archiving the building. Children were dumped here, once dumped, a black or white marble was pulled and that sealed the child's fate. The foundation trained the lucky ones to be servants for the wealthy. Disturbing and insightful. I really love the little graveyard very near the building. I also believe that have a library of Handel's works, as he was one of the founder.

Living as a lonely unwanted foundling in London must have been so hard in the Victorian Era, amazing place to go to. Talks about life at the Foundling Hospital. Also based on Jacqueline Wilson book, the Hetty Feather series. I would definitely recommend!

Lovely place, worth a visit just for the tokens. Well curated gift shop and friendly staff

Lots to see and very informative displays. Also good to hear what the charity is doing today.

The Covid Letters display was unnecessary. Overtly, unashamedly, and dispiritingly political. Not something I expect from a museum or organisation like this.

Very well presented and lots of fascinating history displayed very well!

Fine

I was very disappointed overall. I was expecting to see exhibits about the life in inside a children's home and perhaps the stories of the children. there are a few artifacts which are interesting such as the tokens left by parents but overall. not worth it. felt more like a picture gallery with more info on the benefactors than the inmates.

Wife loved the stories of the poor children and their lives

Great way to spend a few hours, lovey building with a sad history.

(Translated by Google) Hummm🤔🤔🤔 (Original) Hummm🤔🤔🤔

Very nice and recommended to visit

Wasnt what I had expected. More about artists supporting the hospital than mothers and children. Was good to visit.

Interesting history of eighteenth and nineteenth century childcare. Some nice paintings. Not a very big museum.

Some very moving exhibits and very knowledgeable pleasant staff.

Really well laid out small museum. Took my daughters who have read all the hetty feather books. It really gave context to the stories

A moving experience. The volunteers are wonderful.

This is a small and very interesting museum. We spent 2.5 hours there. Surprise fact, it's the UK's first public art gallery.

Very interesting place

Fascinating historical record of the Foundling movement

Very hearty stories..

Great little museum with an interesting history, easy to see and read it all as there was not many people.

Interesting

Nice museum and history of how thousands of children were taken care of.

Very interesting

Interesting museum and gallery. Current exhibition of pregnancy as portrayed in art is small but well worth seeing. Shame there is no cafe any more.

Fantastic Museum, the workshop for children are brilliant. A foundation providing so many young vulnerable people a new start to life x

Interesting place, topic makes a change from the usual collections of old things. Perhaps they could delve more into the human stories of the place. My nine year old Jacqueline Wilson fan really enjoyed it (Hetty Feather trail with space to sit and draw) but my five year old was quite bored. It's not an issue for everyone, but I knocked off one star for having no café! No shortage of other places locally though. I guess in summer it could mix well with a visit to the park over the road too.

Amazing. Sheds light on this aspect of English history and what it has become. Highly recommended.

I would have liked more info on the children and less on the governors /benefactors/philanthropists. Interesting nevertheless.

A very interesting museum

Fascinating piece of British social history.

A hidden gem. Make sure you go on the free tour. 11:30 and 1:30

Very interesting.Very good introductory talk given by Roger.

Really interesting - my 11 year old loved it though a little sad.

Very interesting. Beautiful paintings that were described in detail by the volunteers

I learned so much! I'd like to thank our tour guide. He knew so much and wanted to show us everything. I loved how much he loved sharing the information with us. If you could, definitely try to book a tour. It was actually kinda funny, the fire alarm rang and we were all confused / maybe a bit scared but our tour guide was extremely calm in all this. So thank you again!!!! I believe his name is Nigel 😊.

Awesome museum with exquisite paintings and much more. Small in size but packed with interesting things.

An excellent insight into the issues if orphans in days gone by - how things have changed ! A very worthwhile visit.

A fabulous visit volunteers were marvelous very thought provoking visit.

This fascinating museum tells the story of how The Foundling Hospital was first created and how the hospital provided a critical lifeline for many vulnerable children in London from the eighteenth century.

Amazing venue Excellent team friendly and helpful

This is a lovely,small, compact museum with amazing piece of social history. Wonderful art work to see. Paid entry

Wonderfully interesting museum, plenty of content without being exhaustingly big. Recommended especially for people interested in social history and 18th century Britain!

Went for a wedding, beautiful setting! Fascinating place. Wasn't sure about the pictures in the stairs....🧐

Very interesting museum with lot of history and nice colection of art

A very good museum for seeing our care history. I would not recommend it for young people unless they are studying the historical periods it covers.

Little jewel of a museum. Particularly recommend exhibition on George King. A fantastic and rare glimpse into the life of an 18th century foundling.

Fascinating place to visit and temporary exhibition gives a life history of one foundling who served at the battle of Trafalgar.

Not what i was expecting but interesting nevertheless, kids free, 9.00 for me so not bad.

A really lovely and very informative museum. I enjoyed every floor and the staff were very helpful.

Moving and sometimes heart-warming stories in the recreated historical rooms.

Charming small museum, telling a painfully touching tale of deserted children being brought up institutionally from 18th to 20th centuries in SE England.

must to be visited.. if you're interested in social history. Well informed and enthusiastic staff. A real eye opener. Minutes walk from British museum. Best £7.50 I've ever spent in London. Lovely small park opposite where you can sit and reflect after visiting. 5 stars... Thank you Robin...a tour guide who's knowledge and expertise was absolutely first class.

There was a lovely exhibition on orphans in comics and it was fantastic! The volunteers are lovely to talk to as well.

So pleased we spent a couple of hours at this museum. A fascinating insight into what happened to the children and how the organisation came about. Well laid out and informative.

Really enjoyed it was lucky enough to also enjoy a concert. Very helpful pleasant staff/volunteers too. Well worth a visit

Enjoyed my visit but I would have liked more information about how foundling were left and whether any were ever reunited with birth mothers. Maybe records don't tell us.

Worth visiting. You will learn lots about the museum and how it took 17 years of a normal sailor to get this up and running. I enjoyed the music room too. You need to go ... it is great museum.and worth every penny.

Came down from Manchester to see the exhibition about foundlings in comics. Great exhibition with lots of interesting comics to look at, both Western and Eastern, old and new. Some problematic depictions of marginalised people in a few of the old comics but thought the exhibition handled it well, acknowledged it and contrasted it with newer work by queer and POC artists. Had a look at the other exhibits too, there is a bit of a jarring feeling going between them as they are all so different! Bear in mind their entrance ramp is currently broken so wheelchair users must send someone up the steps to ask them to let you in around the side. (I suppose you could try shouting but luckily I wasn't alone.) However once you are in there is plenty of room to maneuver and a lift to all floors.

A nice insightful museum. I spent just over an hour here and could have spent more time but had another engagement. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was very peaceful. At £9.50 it is a bit pricey but there seemed to be quite a lot of discounts available.

Such a nicely done, informative experience. A lot about Handel and other foundation patrons including Lemn Sissay. A lovely building which reminded me of my school. The working clicks have divine times. Go on the hour so you can hear them. They have them times so they come consecutively.

The Foundling Museum is a hidden gem, shedding light on the poignant stories of London's abandoned children and the Foundling Hospital's legacy.

A first rate small museum. It takes one back in time to the setting up of the Foundling hospital in the 1700s by amazing philanthropists. It really touched me deeply. Beautiful works of art donated to the museum by brilliant old and contemporary artist. Well worth visiting. Allow between 1 to 2 hours. I will definitely revisit as so much to take in.