Guided Tour
Complement your visit with a guided tour of the Museum.
Our guides will take you on a journey through the history of the Foundling Hospital, from its origins in the eighteenth century, to life at this important London institution throughout its existence. 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: £7.50 per person/£4.75 per student* + £80.00 for the guide (includes VAT)
*Temporary exhibitions and displays are included in the cost of admission
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 tour.
Number of people: 8-20
Cost: 8-20 visitors £7.50 per person/£4.75 per student*
*Temporary exhibitions and displays are included in the cost of admission
Groups of eight people or more must book their visit in advance. Groups without an advance booking may be denied immediate entry.
Please note groups of eight people or more qualify for the concessionary admission rate of £7.50. Standard charges apply for groups of less than eight people.
Groups larger than 20 visitors must be staggered.
Out-of-Hours Tours
Enjoy exclusive access to the Foundling Museum out-of-hours when we’re closed to the public. These tours are subject to availability.
Cost: £25 per person + £100 for a guide (includes VAT)
Drinks receptions or breakfast viewings can also be arranged outside of the Museum’s opening hours. Find out more about venue hire
Special Tours
Guided museum tours can be arranged with members of staff, subject to availability:
Gerald Coke Handel Collection Librarians: £200 + VAT, plus Museum admission
Collections Manager: £200 + VAT, plus Museum admission
Lars Tharp Tour
For a truly special London museum tour, a guided tour can be booked with our Hogarth Curator, Lars Tharp. Enjoy a one-hour introduction to the Museum and its collections, with a focus on William Hogarth.
An art historian, lecturer and broadcaster, Lars is particularly well known for his appearances on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, as well as Hidden Treasures and Art of the Baroque. A former Director of the Foundling Museum, Lars is a ceramics specialist as well as the author of several books including Hogarth’s China and the Little Brown Encyclopaedia of Antiques (with Paul Atterbury).
Number of people: 1-20
Cost: £600 flat fee
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 guides are available to offer talks about the history of the Foundling Hospital. Please contact us for more details.
Cost: £100 (plus 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 educational groups see our schools and teachers and universities and colleges pages.
Cancellation Policy
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.