In 1739, Thomas Coram established the Foundling Hospital in London for the "education and maintenance of exposed and deserted young children”. It was the first example of children’s social care in the UK, and marked the beginning of Coram, the UK's first and longest-serving children’s charity.

It soon found itself unable to meet the ever-increasing demands on its services. A branch hospital was subsequently established in Westerham, Kent at Wellstreet, better known to us today as Chartwell.

Join us to find out more about the Westerham foundlings and the tokens that their mothers left with them when they were given to the care of the Foundling Hospital. 469 children passed through the Westerham branch of the London Foundling Hospital. See the tokens crafted by local school children to represent the Westerham foundlings.

This is a free exhibition in the Coach House and was created in collaboration with Coram.

If you would also like to visit Quebec House, normal admission or National Trust membership applies. Please pre-book a timed entry ticket for house visits.

Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.

Description supplied by the event organiser.