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, telling the moving story of the Foundling Hospital, the UK’s first children’s charity and first public art gallery.
Learn about the Museum’s many treasured objects and discover the stories behind our displays. Whether it’s just for you, or a group, a tour gives an excellent introduction to our fascinating story.
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.
Self-led groups
Explore the Museum at your leisure with a self-led 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
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 less than eight people.
Groups larger than 20 visitors must be staggered.
Out-of-hours tours
Enjoy exclusive, behind the scenes, access to the Foundling Museum out-of-hours tours on Mondays, when we’re closed to the public. These tours are subject to availability.
Price: £25 per person + £100 (+VAT) for a guide for up to 25 people. Minimum of 8 people per tour.
Exclusive ‘after hours’ Curator tours Drinks receptions or and private breakfast/early morning viewings can also be arranged on any day of the week, subject to availability. See package options:
Package 1 – £1,250 (+ VAT )
5.30pm-7.00pm or 6.00-7.30pm
Up to 25 guests
Includes:
- A tour from one of our knowledgeable and experienced Curators
- A welcome glass of fizz or a soft drink for every guest on arrival
- 1.5 hours exclusive access for you and your guests to enjoy the Museum, from 5.30-7pm, or 6-7.30pm
Package 2 – £1,500 (+ VAT)
5.30pm-7.00pm or 6.00-7.30pm
Up to 25 guests
Includes:
- A tour from one of our knowledgeable and experienced Curators
- A welcome glass of fizz or a soft drink for every guest on arrival
- 1.5 hours exclusive access for you and your guests to enjoy the Museum, from 5.30-7pm, or 6-7.30pm
- A copy of our ‘Illustrated Guide to the Museum’ (RRP £10) for every guest
Package 3 – £1,500 (+ VAT)
8.30am-10.00am
Up to 25 guests
Includes:
- A tour from one of our knowledgeable and experienced Curators
- A welcome tea or coffee with pastries for every guest on arrival
- 1.5 hours exclusive access for you and your guests to enjoy the Museum
- A copy of our ‘Illustrated Guide to the Museum’ (RRP £10) for every guest
Looking for something more? Find out about hiring the Museum for a special occasion or event.
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
External speakers
If you are looking for an inspiring speaker for your next group meeting or event, look no further. A number of our brilliant and friendly guides are available to offer talks about the history of the Foundling Hospital. Please contact us for more details.
Prices from: £100 (+VAT, and travel expenses of speaker)
Bookings
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 school, university or college visits, 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 tour bookings. We also do not offer concessional tickets for our guided tours (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.
Visitors can also sit on the green chairs and pews located on all floors and the lightweight folding chairs located by the lifts on all floors except the 2nd floor.
Visit our Accessibility page for more information.