Foundling Museum

The Foundling Museum in Bloomsbury occupies the site of the Foundling Hospital, established in 1739 as Britain's first home for abandoned children. It is a remarkable and often overlooked London institution, and its story is one that can genuinely move older children and teenagers in ways that more conventional history museums do not. The museum holds a collection of tokens left by mothers who surrendered their babies to the hospital — coins, thimbles, ribbons, handwritten notes — all preserved with the hope that one day a mother might return to reclaim her child.

Displayed together, they are extraordinarily affecting. Alongside this human story runs an impressive art collection: William Hogarth was a founding governor and helped establish the hospital as London's first public picture gallery, attracting works by Reynolds and Gainsborough. George Frideric Handel was also a major supporter, performing annual benefit concerts here, and the museum holds a significant collection of Handeliana.

For families, the museum runs thoughtful programming around its themes of childhood, belonging, and care — many of the questions it raises are ones that children naturally want to discuss. It is not a loud, interactive attraction, but for the right family it is profoundly memorable. Children under 16 enter free, making it very reasonable for a family outing.