Foundling Museum - London's newest Museum is an inspirational setting for your next event

'One of the privileges of running a London based catering company is the opportunity to visit and work in the city's most interesting venues. I recently had the pleasure of a guided tour of London's newest museum - the Foundling Museum.

Situated in Brunswick Square, WC1, the Foundling Museum is a beautifully restored building that stands next to the former site of the old Foundling Hospital, London's first home for abandoned children. The museum is on two floors with contemporary exhibition space downstairs and gorgeous Rococo rooms upstairs.

Walking through the exhibition, I was very moved by the story of the foundlings and by the poignant objects and photographs relating to their lives. These include showcases full of pendants left by the foundlings' mothers for safe keeping by the hospital staff as well as the many photos which document the uniforms the small children wore. It is remarkable that over 27,000 children were cared for between 1739 and 1953 when the hospital finally closed.

In the historic rooms upstairs there is a magnificent collection of 18th century art, including works by Gainsborough, Hogarth and Reynolds. There is also a collection of Handel memorabilia including an original manuscript of 'The Messiah' - the composer George Friederich Handel was a Governor of the Foundling Hospital.

The Court Room is one of London's finest surviving Rococo interiors and is perfect for an intimate dinner for 30 guests. The Picture Gallery can hold up to 200 guests for a reception and 100 for a formal dinner. It is also the ideal setting for concerts and recitals.

On leaving the museum I was left with the feeling that we should all associate ourselves in some way with this noble history and I would urge anyone planning an event to visit the museum.'

Julian Saipe
Managing Director
Zafferano

For more information about receptions and dinners at the Foundling Museum please contact Joanna Moody at Zafferano, 020 7249 4455.