ART, MUSIC & SOCIAL REVOLUTION Foundling Museum Private Tour & Lunch at 1-Star Michelin Benares
Benares Restaurant and Bar & Foundling Museum
Various Locations Available
(18 reviews)
WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT
Established as a home for abandoned children, the Foundling Hospital was the UK’s first children’s charity and first public art gallery. Today the site is a museum of art and social history; which houses work by 18th-century artists, holds the world's largest collection of Handel memorabilia, and displays objects from the Hospital's archives. Enjoy a privately guided tour of this mansion, and savour lunch at Benares, a restaurant applauded for its modern take on Indian cuisine with a pinch of British ingredients.
"An institution with an extraordinary cultural history"
-The Telegraph
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Admission to the permanent collection and exhibition at The Foundling Museum
Privately guided tour of the museum, lasting 60 to 75 minutes
Followed by a three-course lunch at Michelin Starred Benares restaurant
Easy Refunds & Exchanges
Instant E-Certificate Delivery
1 Year Validity
MORE ABOUT OUR PARTNER
The Foundling Museum tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, Britain’s first home for children who would otherwise have been abandoned – known in the eighteenth century as ‘foundlings’. The Hospital was both the UK’s first children’s charity and its first public art gallery. From 1741 when the first baby was admitted to 1954 when the last pupil was placed in foster care, the Foundling Hospital cared and educated over 25,000 children, and the Hospital continues today as the children’s charity Coram.
Instrumental in helping Coram realise his vision in 1739 were the artist William Hogarth and the composer George Frideric Handel – major benefactors of the Hospital whose creative generosity paved the way for the arts community supporting philanthropy.
A museum of both art and social history, the dynamic programme of exhibitions and events celebrates the ways in which artists of all disciplines have helped improve children’s lives for over 275 years.
The Museum shows the Hospital’s remarkable art collection amongst furniture, fittings and interiors from the original eighteenth-century building. Hogarth donated the first painting to the Hospital in 1740 and then encouraged many of the leading artists of the day to do likewise, including Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds and Louis-Francois Roubiliac. Alongside the art, the Museum also houses the Gerald Coke Handel Collection, the world's largest private collection of Handel memorabilia. Visitors also get to see poignant objects and archival material that reveal life at the Hospital for the children, including the eighteenth-century ‘tokens’; everyday objects left by mothers with the babies they handed over to the Hospital’s care.
With its modern take on Indian cuisine fused together with traditional British ingredients, Benares has received a warm welcome in the capital. Named after the Holy City in India, Benares's decor features soothing hand-crafted furniture, water features, and an elegant, exotic interior, drawing inspiration its namesake to ensure a warm and welcoming dining experiences for its guests.
LATEST CUSTOMER REVIEWS(18 reviews)
Disappointed
We really enjoyed the Foundling museum tour, it was both educational and enjoyable and we would recommend this to anyone. A very quirky museum which we otherwise wouldn't have visited.
My main point...
Laura - 10th Nov, 2023
Foundling Museum and Banares experience
The Foundling Museum was interesting and we had a knowledgeable guide. The restaurant was first class and really enjoyed the food
Anya - 19th Mar, 2023
Interesting Museum and excellent lunch
We arrived on time at the Museum and our guide, Jane, was waiting to greet us. She was very welcoming and introduced us to the Museum in a very informative and friendly way. An excellent guide. Lunch ...
Susan - 24th Oct, 2022
Fantastic experience
It took a long time to put this in place because of Covid, but was worth waiting for. We made a number of changes to the arrangements over time and the team was really helpful. The tour was excellent ...
Bernard - 18th Sep, 2022
A Superb Present
Our guide Brian at the Museum was really engaging and interesting and the lunch at Benares was simply delicious with superb service.
Deborah - 25th Jun, 2022
A LOVELY DAY OUT
The tour of the Foundling Museum was excellent, the lunch was delicious.
Joyce - 23rd May, 2022
Marvellous experience
We were very well looked after: the guide at the Museum, Jo, was well informed and courteous. The lunch at Benares was wonderful, delicious food, attentive service, calming atmosphere, marvellous in e...
Shelagh - 24th Apr, 2022
Fantastic experience
Brilliant experience all round. The Foundling Museum was so illuminating and moving and something I will remember for a long time. Our guide Tabitha couldn’t have been better. Lunch was superb. Well d...
Stephen - 07th Apr, 2022
Excellent day out
Very well organised and an excellent guide
Tony - 27th Jun, 2021
A Truly lovely day out
A really fascinating day. The guided tour of the Foundling Museum was excellent. We hadn’t known of its existence but it’s full of fascinating material and wonderful art and our guide David worked for...
Tricia - 14th Mar, 2020
London's less known but wonderful history.
Apologies for the delay in getting back to you, my wife and I have been away. The whole experience was absolutely brilliant. We loved the Museum and learnt so much about its history and current day ch...
Robert - 20th May, 2018
An enjoyable day in London Town
The visit to The Foundling Museum was a very good taster and we were guided very well. The three course lunch was enjoyable and we were looked after very well. The only criticism was that the food was...
David - 04th May, 2018
An unforgettable experience
We really enjoyed the private tour of the Foundling Museum. Our guide Jo was so informative. We'll look forward to visiting again & again with our annual pass.
The Greenhouse restaurant was excellent ...
John - 03rd Sep, 2017
A great day out
Thank you so much for your help in making us have a superb day, everything run so smoothly.
Robert - 16th Aug, 2017
Great museum and guide
The guide was excellent and so knowledgeable about her subject as well as being interested in our own personal details and interests.
Keith - 21st Jul, 2017
Wonderful Experiences!
It was a little rushed because we had also booked a matinee theatre performance, but both the Museum and the restaurant were truly great experiences.
Daman - 07th Jun, 2017
Unknown and wonderful history followed by a lovely long lunch
We really enjoyed the tour and foundling museum. Lunch at dabbous was fab
Renu - 10th Apr, 2017
A Special Day in London
Yes, the package was excellent and both parts were thoroughly enjoyed by my guest and I. The guide at the Foundling Museum, which was a revelation, was excellent too. The arrangements, which had been ...
Dr - 19th Feb, 2017
WHERE AND WHEN IT'S AVAILABLE
This experience is available in multiple locations. You will be able to select your choice of venue at time of booking.
HOW DOES TRULY WORK?
1. Once you have checked out, you will receive an e-certificate with a unique redemption code.
2. Use this code to request your booking with the desired date and time
3. Sit back and let us handle the rest. Arrive to your experience knowing we have arranged everything.
THE TRULY PROMISE ON ALL OUR EXPERIENCES
Always the same value-for-money as found on our partner's website or venue.