Coram's Fields
Encyclopedia
Coram's Fields is a large urban open space
in the London borough of Camden
in central London
, England
. It occupies seven acre
s in Bloomsbury
and includes a children's playground
, sand pit
s, a duck pond
, a pets corner, café
and nursery. Adults (defined as anyone over the age of 16) are only permitted to enter if accompanied by children (under 16).
It is situated on the former site of the Foundling Hospital
, established by Thomas Coram in what was then named Lamb's Conduit Field
in 1739. The Foundling Hospital was relocated outside London in the 1920s, and the site was earmarked for redevelopment. However, campaigning and fundraising by local residents and a donation from the Harmsworth family of newspaper proprietors, led to the creation of the current park that opened in 1936. Coram's Fields is a Grade II listed site and is owned and run by an independent registered charity
, officially named Coram's Fields and the Harmsworth Memorial Playground.
Coram's Fields also offers four half-sized football pitches, one normal-sized pitch, one stickball field and a basketball court.
The Thomas Coram Foundation for Children
(the successor charity to the Foundling Hospital) and the Foundling Museum
housing the art collections of the former Hospital, are based in buildings nearby.
To the west is Brunswick Square
(forming part of Coram's Fields), and to the east is Mecklenburgh Square
(bordered by Goodenough College
to the south), two historical London squares. To the north is the Thomas Coram Foundation and St George's Gardens. To the south are Guilford Street
and Great Ormond Street Hospital
. Children from the hospital often visit the playground between sessions of treatment.
Urban open space
In land use planning, urban open space is open space areas for “parks”, “green spaces”, and other open areas. The landscape of urban open spaces can range from playing fields to highly maintained environments to relatively natural landscapes. They are commonly open to public access, however, urban...
in the London borough of Camden
London Borough of Camden
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough were already developed and had a total population of 96,795. This continued to rise swiftly throughout the 19th century, as the district became built up; reaching 270,197 in the middle of the century...
in central London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It occupies seven acre
Acre
The acre is a unit of area in a number of different systems, including the imperial and U.S. customary systems. The most commonly used acres today are the international acre and, in the United States, the survey acre. The most common use of the acre is to measure tracts of land.The acre is related...
s in Bloomsbury
Bloomsbury
-Places:* Bloomsbury is an area in central London.* Bloomsbury , related local government unit* Bloomsbury, New Jersey, New Jersey, USA* Bloomsbury , listed on the NRHP in Maryland...
and includes a children's playground
Playground
A playground or play area is a place with a specific design for children be able to play there. It may be indoors but is typically outdoors...
, sand pit
Sand Pit
Sandspit Park Beach & Marina is located on the Patchogue River in the Village of Patchogue in Suffolk County, New York.Sandspit is on Brightwood Street off Ceder Ave directly south of the Patchogue Long Island Rail Road Station...
s, a duck pond
Duck pond
A duck pond is a pond for ducks and other water fowl. Duck ponds provide habitats for water fowl and other birds, who use the water to bathe in and drink....
, a pets corner, café
Café
A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches...
and nursery. Adults (defined as anyone over the age of 16) are only permitted to enter if accompanied by children (under 16).
It is situated on the former site of the Foundling Hospital
Foundling Hospital
The Foundling Hospital in London, England was founded in 1741 by the philanthropic sea captain Thomas Coram. It was a children's home established for the "education and maintenance of exposed and deserted young children." The word "hospital" was used in a more general sense than it is today, simply...
, established by Thomas Coram in what was then named Lamb's Conduit Field
Lamb's Conduit Field
Lamb's Conduit Field was an open area of Holborn, London, that was used for major cricket matches in the first half of the 18th century.-Location:...
in 1739. The Foundling Hospital was relocated outside London in the 1920s, and the site was earmarked for redevelopment. However, campaigning and fundraising by local residents and a donation from the Harmsworth family of newspaper proprietors, led to the creation of the current park that opened in 1936. Coram's Fields is a Grade II listed site and is owned and run by an independent registered charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
, officially named Coram's Fields and the Harmsworth Memorial Playground.
Coram's Fields also offers four half-sized football pitches, one normal-sized pitch, one stickball field and a basketball court.
The Thomas Coram Foundation for Children
Thomas Coram Foundation for Children
The Thomas Coram Foundation for Children is a large children's charity in London which uses the working name Coram ....
(the successor charity to the Foundling Hospital) and the Foundling Museum
Foundling Museum
The Foundling Museum in London tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, Britain's first home for abandoned children. The museum houses the nationally important Foundling Hospital Art Collection as well as the Gerald Coke Handel Collection, the world's greatest privately amassed collection of...
housing the art collections of the former Hospital, are based in buildings nearby.
To the west is Brunswick Square
Brunswick Square
Brunswick Square is a public garden in Bloomsbury, in the London Borough of Camden. It is overlooked by the School of Pharmacy and the Foundling Museum to the north and the Brunswick Centre to the west...
(forming part of Coram's Fields), and to the east is Mecklenburgh Square
Mecklenburgh Square
Mecklenburgh Square is a Grade II listed public square located in the King's Cross area of central London. It is notable for the number of historic terraced houses that face directly onto the square....
(bordered by Goodenough College
Goodenough College
Goodenough College is a postgraduate residence and educational trust on Mecklenburgh Square in Bloomsbury, central London, England. Other names under which the College has been known are London House, William Goodenough House, and the London Goodenough Trust.-Profile:The College is an international...
to the south), two historical London squares. To the north is the Thomas Coram Foundation and St George's Gardens. To the south are Guilford Street
Guilford Street
Guilford Street is a road in Bloomsbury in central London, England. From Russell Square it extends east-northeast to Gray's Inn Road. Note that it is not spelt the same way as Guildford in Surrey.It has an entrance to Coram's Fields....
and Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children is a children's hospital located in London, United Kingdom...
. Children from the hospital often visit the playground between sessions of treatment.