Regency Reader Questions: Children’s Amusements in London

Regency Reader Question
What entertainments were children taken to in Regency London? And were they taken to the theatre? I am talking about a child of 11 or 12, boy or girl. Thanks!

Thank you for the question, Marina, and for being a Regency Reader!

There were some amusements in Regency London that would have been ideal for a child of 11 or 12.  Astley’s Circus, a pantomime, Bartholomew Fair or similar street fairs, the Tower of London Menagerie, or any number of parks or museums.

I should add, however, that most upper class boys or girls of 11 or 12 would be dedicated to their lessons, whether from a tutor, governess, or at a boarding school.  Working class children, by contrast, would already be at work at that age, leaving little time for leisure.

While there is not widespread information about children attending the theatre, Klein (2012) states: “historians do not know or record the extent to which child audiences attended early theatres, largely because managers did not keep demographic box office records and commentators seldom mentioned children in attendance. Yet my extensive review of primary evidence from published advertisements indicates that “children under 12 years of age”
were admitted at half price to museums, panoramic exhibitions, circuses, and some theatres during the 1820s.”

Theatres could be disreputable places, with a lot carousing and open prostitution on display, Klein suggests children’s sensibilities were safeguarded in much the same way upper class women were protected; a trusted male escort accompany them to private box seats.

I hope that answers your question!

Need some help with Regency history?  Ask us for help here.

See value in our content?  Buy us a cup of coffee.

Children | The Regency Town House (rth.org.uk)