Funky Wedding Venues

Venue Review

Character: One of London’s hidden gems, an inspiring testament to philanthropy, creativity and the human spirit.

Funky Features: Some of the nation’s great art treasures, a stunning mix of rococo and contemporary spaces. Guests can mingle throughout beautiful, historic galleries.

Location and History

Situated on the site of the original Foundling Hospital the building is a stunning mix of rococo and contemporary spaces. The Foundling Museum, one of London’s hidden gems, commemorates the poignant history of the Foundling Hospital. The Museum provides an inspiring testament to philanthropy, creativity and the human spirit, while offering a beautiful, historic and inspiring venue for Corporate and Private Events.

The Foundling Hospital, established by Royal Charter in 1739, occupies a unique place in Britain’s social and cultural histories. It is both Britain’s first home for abandoned children and the nations first public art collection.

Championed by the curmudgeonly Captain Coram, who campaigned tirelessly for almost 20 years, the Hospital emerged from what William Hogarth called “a golden age of English philanthropy;” worlds of charitable good works, painting and music combining to powerful effect.

The Hospital’s remarkable, beautifully restored art collection was initiated by William Hogarth’s donation of his groundbreaking 1740s portrait of Thomas Coram. Hogarth encouraged other artists to follow his example in donating works to the Foundling. In the magnificent Court Room, which was designed by Hogarth himself, that the meetings later took place which led to the formation of the Royal Academy in 1768. 

Handel was also a generous benefactor, raising the equivalent of £1 million for the Hospital by performing benefit concerts. He conducted the then unknown Messiah in the chapel to great acclaim in 1750, and his will and an original copy of Messiah are displayed in the Museum.

With the involvement of benefactors Thomas Coram, William Hogarth and George Handel, the hospital became a fashionable place for polite society to visit and support.  Now an independent museum, with no state funding, holding events at the Foundling makes a significant contribution to supporting our ongoing work, innovative and exciting work with children, young people and community groups, as well as exhibitions and concerts are made possible by the contributions of venue hire clients.

Interior and Spaces

Hire of the museum which is arranged over 4 floors is exclusive for an event. Receptions for up to 200 guests (300 with a marquee) occupy the entire museum, allowing guests to mingle throughout its beautiful, historic galleries.  Larger dinners can be held in the impressive, spacious Picture Gallery and more intimate dinners in the spectacular, historic Court Room.

Picture Gallery
This magnificent Gallery accommodates many of the grand, full-length and smaller portraits which established the collection in the 1740’s, including Hogarth’s portrait of Thomas Coram. The Gallery seats up to 100 guests for dinner amongst some of the nation’s great art treasures. The Gallery also provides an atmospheric and historic location for concerts and lectures.

Court Room
Designed by William Hogarth in the 1740’s to incorporate its paintings harmoniously into the ornate Rococo interior, the Court Room hosts exclusive dinners for up to 30 guests just as it did in Hogarth’s day, when he and his well-vitalled contemporaries passionately discussed the arts and the establishment of a Royal Academy.

The museum works closely with an accredited list of suppliers to provide a bespoke service ensuring each event is a success.