THE IMPROVERS
The Foundling Museum and Dickens walk

Adults: £12.65  Seniors: £12.65
Availability: All year, Tuesday to Saturday
Coach miles: 0
Walking: Moderate
Wheelchair access: Good

© Coram Family in the care of the Foundling Museum

Thomas Coram and Charles Dickens lived in different eras but had one thing in common — they were appalled by the conditions of London's poor and belonged to a small group of people who tried to improve things. Please meet our guide for coffee at 10.30a.m. at the Foundling Museum where we spend the morning. Built on the site of Coram's Foundling Hospital, this new Museum tells the poignant story of London's first home for abandoned children. Governors of the Hospital included William Hogarth and George Frideric Handel who between them

invented the concept of organising art exhibitions and concerts to raise funds. You will see a major collection of Handel memorabilia and wonderful works of art in the beautifully-restored 18th century interiors. After lunch we learn more of Charles Dickens on a walking tour. In his novels he told the world of the dreadful lives poor people had to suffer. Dickens also worked as an unpaid advisor to the philanthropist Angela Burdett-Coutts. We will see where he lived, worked and found his inspiration as our guide brings back to life a London he would recognise.

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