Guided tours
Why not complement your visit with a guided tour of the Museum?
Our knowledgeable and friendly guides will take you on a journey through the history of the Foundling Hospital, the UK’s first children’s charity and first public art gallery.
Learn about the Museum’s many treasures and the people, places and stories behind our displays. Whether it’s just for you or for a group, a tour gives an excellent introduction to our fascinating past.
Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Number of people: 1-20
Cost: £11.50 per person, £7.50 per student + £96.00 (includes VAT) for the guide*
*Temporary exhibitions and displays are included in the cost of admission. Please note that an annual pass is NOT included in a ticket booked as part of a tour group.
We recommend giving us at least three weeks’ notice of your intended visit date so that we can find an available guide for you.
Groups larger than 20 visitors must be staggered by 10-15 minutes, and may have to book a second guide. Please contact us for more information.
Self-led group tours
Explore the Museum at your own pace with a self-led group visit.
Number of people: 8-20
Cost: 8-20 visitors £11.50 per person, £7.50 per student*
*Temporary exhibitions and displays are included in the cost of admission. Please not that an annual pass is NOT included in a ticket booked as part of a group.
Groups of eight people or more must book a Self-Led tour in advance, including university groups. Groups without an advance booking may be asked to wait until there is space to enter the Museum.
Please note groups of eight people or more qualify for the concessionary admission rate of £11.50. Standard admission charges apply only for groups of fewer than eight people.
Groups larger than 20 visitors must be staggered by 10-15 minutes.
Out-of-hours tours
Enjoy exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to the museum on Mondays when we’re closed to the public. These tours are subject to availability, and must be booked by contacting us directly.
Price: £25 per person + £100 (+VAT) for a guide for up to 25 people. Minimum of 8 people per tour.
We also offer evening and breakfast tour packages which include refreshments, plus a tour from our Curator or Collections Manager. These can be arranged on any day of the week, subject to availability. To find out more visit our Venue Hire page, linked below.
Specialist tours
Guided Museum tours can be arranged with our friendly and knowledgeable Collections team, subject to availability:
Gerald Coke Handel Collection Librarian: £200 (+ VAT), plus Museum admission
Collections Manager: £200 (+ VAT), plus Museum admission
Specialist tours can be booked by contacting us directly.
External speakers
If you are looking for a speaker for group meetings or events, why not book with us? Our friendly and engaging speakers are experts on the history of the Foundling Hospital and our Collection. Talks can be tailored to your group’s interests, and speakers are happy to travel outside of London. Please contact us for more details.
Prices from: £100 (+VAT, plus travel expenses)
Bookings
To book a tour or group visit, please use the booking form linked above. For more information about Museum guided tours and group bookings, or to discuss special requirements, contact us on +44(0)20 7841 3600 or tours@foundlingmuseum.org.uk.
Please note this number and email are monitored regularly but not every day – please allow a few days for us to respond to you. We recommend booking tours and visits several weeks in advance.
For university visits, please book a guided or self-led group tour. For school and college visits, please see our Educational Visits page.
Frequently asked questions
If you are no longer able to attend your planned visit and wish to cancel your booking, please give us as much notice as possible.
If you have booked a guided tour and cancel within 48 hours of your visit, you may still be liable to pay the guide fee.
Out-of-hours tours can be arranged on Mondays when the Museum is closed to the public, subject to availability.
Tours of the special exhibition are not included as part of our guided tours. You will still be able to visit the special exhibition once admitted to the Museum as part of a standard guided tour.
We can arrange an exclusive tour of our special exhibition (subject to availability) at an additional fee. Please email tours@foundlingmuseum.org.uk for more information.
We have a number of guides with different expertise and from a variety of professional backgrounds. If your group has a particular interest in a certain aspect of the Museum please let us know and we will endeavour to address your interests in your tour.
We will make every effort to accommodate your interests, but we cannot promise that all requests can be honoured.
Discount schemes such as National Art Pass and National Rail 2-for-1 vouchers cannot be applied to guided tour bookings, but can be used for self-led group visits. Please make us aware before your visit that you would like to use your Art Pass. We also do not offer concessional tickets for our tours and group bookings (except for student groups).
We have lockers at the entrance to the Museum that are free to use, so you can store your bags and luggage safely during your visit.
We have a lift in the building providing step-free access to all four floors of the Museum. There is a wheelchair which can be borrowed by visitors. Please let us know in advance that you would like to use the wheelchair, either through your booking form or by contacting us directly.
Visitors can also sit on the green chairs and pews located on all floors. Lightweight folding chairs are available at the front desk.
Visit our Accessibility page for more information.