London’s first public children’s playground, Coram’s Fields, opened in 1936 following an eight year community fundraising campaign to preserve the land for ‘the use and welfare of the children of Central London’. Originally, the land was the site of philanthropist Captain Thomas Coram’s ”Foundlling Hospital’ which opened in 1739 to provide for London’s abandoned and homeless children. Today, Coram’s Fields provides a seven acre playground and park that includes a Youth Centre, Children’s Centre, Community Nursery, Sports Programme, a city farm and a cafe. Coram’s Fields operates as a charity and it is open to children and young people living in or visiting London. No adult may enter the property without a child, and entrance to the park and most activities offered are free of charge.
- Coram’s Fields
- 93 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DN
- www.coramsfields.org
- Underground: Russel Square