Ancestry UK

Magdalen Homes — London SE/SW Postal Districts

Although the term 'Magdalen' home or institution has become particularly associated with Ireland's Magdalen laundries, it covers to a much wider range of establishments. Rather than indicating the nature of these institutions' facilities or regime, it reflects the circumstances of their inmates — girls and young women who had 'fallen' (or who were considered in danger of doing so), primarily those who had become pregnant or involved in prostitution. More...

Where applicable, the 'Places' column shows the accommodation provided for mothers and babies (exact figures could change over time).
Note that over the years, many institutions changed location and/or name, sometimes more than once. The accommodation provided, age of those admitted etc. at a home could also vary.

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
House of Rest, 1 Sistova Road, Balham SW121885 Girls who wish to lead a virtuous life. 16-26
Female Aid Society Mission House / Wandsworth and Battersea Ladies' Association, 3-4 Chivalry Road, Battersea Rise, Battersea SW111880 Fallen; temporary Refuge. Maternity cases received before and after confinement.20under 30
Battersea Refuge, 58 Fontarabia Road, Lavender Hill, Battersea SW111909 Fallen girls; local cases free; others according to circumstances.4under 23
Southwark Girls' Rescue Society, 103 Southwark Park Road, Bermondsey SE161880 Fallen Women; a temporary Refuge. Local cases free; others 1s. a night.915-25
Southwark Girls' Rescue Society, 6 Dockley Road, Spa Road, Bermondsey SE161879 Fallen women. A temporary refuge. Free from S.E. London, others 10s. a week.8no limit
Shelter for Girls / Miss Light's Home, 27 West Square, Borough SE1by 1890 Fallen girls, superior class; remain four to twelve months.12 
Mildmay Haven and Home, 60 Trinity Square, Borough SE111886 Fallen girls.24under 25
Temporary Haven for Homeless Girls, 6A Trinity Street, Borough SE1by 1890    
Rescue and Preventive Home, 143 Brixton Hill, Brixton SW21887 Fallen girls; 5s. if possible; remain generally one year, except maternity cases.14 
Maternity Hospital, 145 Brixton Hill, Brixton SW2by 1900 Maternity cases; before and after a first confinement; 5s.8 
St Matthew's Rescue Home, 84 Somerleyton Home, Brixton SW91889 Girls, before and after first confinement, and the better class of fallen women.8under 24
Home for Mothers and Babies, 9 Stansfield Road, Brixton SW91885 To receive young women of otherwise good character before or after confinement, and restore them, if possible, to their former position. Child boarded out at mother's expense.  
South London Ladies' Association Refuge, 117 Camberwell Road, Camberwell SE51888 Destitute females; free.10no limit
The Refuge, 211 Camberwell Road, Camberwell SE5by 1890 Free.10under 30
House of Mercy, 1 Blyth(e) Hill, Catford SE6by 1887 Girls who have fallen once, and are anxious to regain their character. Entrance fee 10s. 6d., and 2s. 6d. a week required for six months, when possible. 16-22
The Shelter, Charing Cross SW1by 1920 Rescue and preventive cases. Free.8no limit
Milton House Home, 1 Maude Grove (now 2 Fernshaw Road), Chelsea SW101871 Penitent young women from any part of the United Kingdom; free.3015-25
Rescue Home, 10 Camera Square (now Beaufort Street), Chelsea SW3by 1900 Fallen women; temporarily; small payment expected. Those awaiting confinement 5s.6no limit
St Mary's Shelter, 14 Trafalgar Square (now Chelsea Square), Chelsea SW31909 Friendless and fallen women; temporarily; 5s.; local cases free.515-30
St Mary's Home, 15 Wellington Square, King's Road, Chelsea SW3by 1900 Maternity cases, before or after confinement. First cases only. Young servants and girls to be placed in service.8under 25
St Mary's Home, 18 Oakley Crescent, Manor Street, Chelsea SW31889By 1900Maternity cases, before or after confinement. First cases only. Young servants and girls to be placed in service.8under 25
St Mary's Home, 28 Drayton Gardens, Chelsea SW10by 1890 Penitent girls and women and those in danger from bad homes or associates; 7s. a week; stay at least one year.26over 15
Rescue Home, 28 Margaretta Terrace, Chelsea SW31886 Fallen women; temporarily; free.  
Rescue Home, 3 Norman Street, King's Road, Chelsea SW3by 1897 Fallen women; temporarily; free.  
Day Servants' Hostel, 31 Danvers Street, Chelsea SW31912 Unmarried mothers with their babies.15no limit
Family Home for Friendless Girls, 35 Oakley Crescent, Manor Street, Chelsea SW31886 Girls who have no other refuge left them but the streets.  
St Theresa's Shelter, 43 Smith Street, Chelsea SW31912 Any young girl in need or distress, temporarily; payment according to circumstances.8under 25
St Monica's Maternity Home, 8 Bramerton Street, Chelsea SW3by 1912 First confinement cases, 7s. and £1 fee; local cases free.6under 25
Clapham Home for Friendless Girls / The Refuge, 22 Liston Road, Grafton Square, Clapham SW41906 Girls from moral danger; temporarily.415-30
Home of the Society of the Good Shepherd, 35 Cedars Road, Clapham SW41896 Friendless and fallen women; chiefly maternity cases; 52. before and 7s. 6d. after confinement. A few local cases free.2515-30
Clapham Maternity Hospital, 41 Jeffrey's Road, Clapham SW41889 Married women and young girls with first baby, if hitherto respectable. Patients received on commencement of labour.12no limit
Anchorage Mission House, 74 Jeffrey's Road, Clapham SW41878 Penitent young women lately fallen, but otherwise good character, whether pregnant or not. Special arrangements for those of a better class.15 
Anchorage Mission House, 76-80 Jeffrey's Road, Clapham SW4by 1912 Penitent young women lately fallen, but otherwise good character, whether pregnant or not. Special arrangements for those of a better class.20under 30
Princess Helena Home, Erinville, Clapham Common SW111895  916-26
Battersea Hostel, St Mary's House, 32 Macaulay Road, Clapham Common SW41918 Mothers and babies; also pre-natal cases; local cases 10s.6d.; others from 12s.6d.16m/6bno limit
Camberwell Home, 24 De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill SE519091925First fall cases; those from Southwark diocese 6s., others 7s. 6d.; without baby 5s.; stay three months.10m/2b14-25
Mission of Hope, 93 Grove Lane, Denmark Hill SE51910 Expectant mothers; 10s. and 21s. fees.16no limit
Orphanage of the Infant Saviour, 27, 200-202 Barry Road, East Dulwich SE151866  36 
East Dulwich and Peckham Shelter Home, 28 Buchan Road, East Dulwich SE151887 Fallen women and girls; free.  
Fulham Refuge for Friendless Girls, 23 Barclay Road, Fulham SW6by 19201946?Friendless or fallen women; temporarily; Fulham cases free.8under 30
Fulham Refuge, 43 Filmer Road, Fulham SW6by 1912 Fallen women; temporarily; free.5no limit
St James' Diocesan Home, 484 Fulham Palace Road, Fulham SW618711936The fallen; a special department for the educated class of fallen women.60under 30
London Female Preventive Reformatory / Holt Yates Memorial Home, 5 Parson's Green, Fulham SW6December 28 1877December 13 1893Girls under the Act who have been immoral; also voluntary cases from all parts. Free.3015-25
Home of the Good Shepherd, 63 Ongar Road, Fulham SW61901 Maternity cases; from 6s.10no limit
St James's Home, Fulham SW61859 The fallen; a special department for the educated class of fallen women.60under 30
Temporary Refuge, 14 Prior Street, Greenwich SE101857 Fallen and friendless girls and women; free, Remain about three weeks then transfer to rescue homes. under 35
Female Aid Society Mission House, Shaftesbury House, 15 Circus Street, Greenwich SE101857 Friendless and fallen women; temporarily.8no limit
Church Army Refuge, Shaftesbury House, 15 Circus Street, Greenwich SE10by 1930 All classes; temporarily. Cases from other districts, 10s.7under 25
House of Shelter, 40 Chapel Place, Brompton Road, Kensington SW31885 Fallen women, who have been living a life of sin; temporarily; free.3under 25
Brompton and Knightsbridge Ladies' Association Refuge, 18 Raphael Street (later 16-17), Knightsbridge SW71885 Fallen women; temporarily,3under 25
Rochester Diocesan Association for the Care of Friendless Girls, 127 Kennington Road, Lambeth SE11888 Girls who have been previously respectable before a first confinement. Local and diocesan cases, 5s.9m/4bunder 24
Rochester Diocesan Association for the Care of Friendless Girls, 128 Lambeth Road, Lambeth SE11888 Girls who have been previously respectable before a first confinement. Local and diocesan cases, 5s.8under 24
St Thomas' Hostel / Northcote Trust Hostel, 148 Lambeth Road, Lambeth SE11919 V.D. cases; payment by arrangement.13/4bno limit
Mildmay Haven and Home, 63 Kennington Park Road, Lambeth SE11886 Fallen girls. Local cases free, others from 5s.14under 25
Church Army,St Boniface Home, 7 Boniface Street, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth SE11904 Destitute or fallen women; 5s.; or £2 2s. entrance fee,1516-40
The Refuge, 98 Kennington Road, Lambeth SE11886 6s. A week.616-25
Lewisham and Lee Shelter, 1-3 Ladywell Park, Lewisham SE131903 Friendless girls; temporarily.8under 25
British Women's Temperance Association Mission Home, 14 Sunninghill Road, Loampit Hill, Lewisham SE131906 Destitute women; 7s.4under 30
Diocesan Refuge, 20 Morley Road, Lewisham SE13c.19341941   
Rescue Home, 4 St Germain's Villas, Lewisham SE13by 1890    
London Female Preventive and Reformatory Institution, New Cross Road, New Cross SE14c.1863    
The Refuge, 1 Bournemouth Road, Peckham SE15by 1890 Fallen women; temporarily.  
St Anne's Hostel, 45 Croydon Road, Penge SE201923 Rescue and preventive cases; also before and after confinement; local cases, free; others, according to circumstances.40no limit
Pimlico House of Refuge (Stonehouse), 15-17 (later 21-23) Commercial Road, Pimlico SW11852 Fallen women; temporarily; all classes; 5s. or donation when possible. No. 17 is for penitents of a higher class than those ordinarily found in Refuges.13under 40
St Barnabas' Home, 23 Commercial Road, Pimlico SW11881By 1900.Girls who have fallen; remain one to four years. Superior class only.4under 25
St Faith's Home, 259 Vauxhall Bridge Road, Pimlico SW11880 Fallen girls; free; temporarily. Small payment expected from those sent from a distance.8under 24
St Anne's Shelter, 26 Berwick Street, Pimlico SW11889 Maternity cases; temporarily; 7s.6no limit
St Katherine's Homes for Dressmaking, 29 St George's Road, Warwick Square, Pimlico SW11884 To receive fallen women, who are taught dressmaking.  
YWCA Emergency Hostel, 32 Warwick Square, Pimlico SW11919 Emergency cases; payment according to circumstances.1616-30
St Katherine's Homes for Dressmaking, 40 Gloucester Street, Belgrave Road, Pimlico SW11884 To receive fallen women, who are taught dressmaking.  
House of Compassion, 63 Sutherland Street, Pimlico SW11883By 1935Maternity cases before and after a first confinement only, and with previous good character; 6s. to 7s.; remain six to twelve months.11under 25
Pimlico Emergency Home, 64 Gloucester Street, Pimlico SW11898 Friendless and fallen women; temporarily; a small weekly payment if possible.13no limit
St Anne's Shelter, 67 Denbigh Street, Pimlico SW1by 1920 Maternity cases; temporarily; 10s.6no limit
St Katherine's Homes for Dressmaking, 7 Bouverie Road East, Pimlico SW11886 Fallen women.  
Victoria Emergency Home, 76 Warwick Street (now Way), Pimlico SW11926 Friendless or fallen girls; 1s. 3d. bed and breakfast.815-30
Pimlico Ladies' Association, St Elizabeth's Home, 40 Bessborough Street, Pimlico SW1by 1912By 1930Maternity cases; first confinement, 7s.; remain not less than six months.1016-22
Pimlico Ladies' Association, St John Baptist's Home, 162 Ebury Street, Pimlico SW11890By 1930Maternity cases before or after first confinement; remain six months or longer; 7s.11m/6b15-25
Pimlico Ladies' Association, St John the Baptist Shelter, 16 Ranelagh Grove, Pimlico SW11890By 1900.Deserted mothers with their infants (only after confinement); remain about six weeks; 5s. to 7s.4under 25
Southwark Diocesan Home and Hostel, 14 Spencer Road / 15 Spencer Walk, Putney SW15by 1930 Mothers and babies; Diocesan cases, 10s.; others, 12s. 6d.8m/8bno limit
Putney Refuge, 41 Charlwood Road, Putney SW15by 1920 All classes of fallen women. Free only to local cases.3no limit
Putney Refuge, 82 Chelverton Street, Putney SW15by 1912 Fallen women; temporarily; all classes; Putney cases free; others, 5s.6no limit
St Pelagia's Home, 654 Rotherhithe Street, Rotherhithe SE161893 Destitute girls; free; remain two years.56under 25
The Retreat, 19 (later 35) Ross Road, South Norwood SE251916by 1953Girls before birth of first baby; remain three months after confinement; 12s. 6d. and £1 1s. fee.30 bedsno limit
Salvation Army Home, St Cuthbert's, 17 Ross Road, South Norwood SE251923 Girls and women in distress.40no limit
Southwark Diocesan Home, 47 Haydon's Road, South Wimbledon SW191901 Fallen girls; 5s.; confinement fees, £1 1s. local cases free. 5s.; local cases free.12under 25
Southwark Diocesan Home, 56 Gap Road, South Wimbledon SW191901 Fallen girls; 10s. and maternity benefit.12under 25
House of Help, 201 Camberwell Grove, Southwark SE5by 1920 Young unmarried mothers with their babies; 13s. 6d.16no limit
British Women's Temperance Association Mission Home, 229 New Kent Road, Southwark SE11899 Police court cases and inebriates; from 10s.19no limit
London Female Preventive and Reformatory Institution, 26 St James' Place, Old Kent Road, Southwark SE1by 1862 Penitent young women from any part of the United Kingdom; free.  
The Magdalen Hospital, Blackfriars Road,St George's Fields, Southwark SE117721869   
Guy's Hospital Hostel, St Thomas' Street, Southwark SE1by 1912 Patients and others (with first children only), desiring amendment of life.  
St Joseph's Home for Mothers and Babies, 188 Clapham Road, Stockwell SW91922 R.C. unmarried expectant mothers and mothers with their babies on leaving hospital, first cases only; payment according to circumstances.1015-25
Church Army, Hope House, 194 Clapham Road, Stockwell SW91899 Destitute or fallen women; 5s.; or £2 2s. entrance fee,2016-40
Southwark Diocesan Medical Home, 80 Stockwell Park Road, Stockwell SW91913 Girls suffering from venereal disease; Diocesan cases 7s.; others, 12s. 6d.815-25
Bishop Billing Memorial Mission House, Billing House, 71 Upper Tulse Hill, Streatham SW2by 1920 Young women, temporarily, some free; others according to circumstances.14under 24
The Magdalen Hospital, Drewstead Road, Streatham SW1618691966The reformation of fallen women, especially such as are not yet deeply degraded.112under 21
Mission of Hope / Anchorage Mission, Rokeby, 54 Leigham Court Road, Streatham SW161893 Expectant unmarried mothers of superior class; 20s. per week and £2 2s. fee.24no limit
St Mary Magdalen Refuge, Russell House, Tooting Bec Gardens, Streatham SW161888 Penitent fallen women; free, on application by letter to the Warden or Head Matron; remain two years.35under 40
Pimlico Ladies' Association, St John Baptist's Home, 159 Tulse Hill, Streatham SW21890 Maternity cases before first confinement; remain six months or longer; from 10s.1213-30
St Michael's Convent, North Side, Streatham Common SW16  Girls in need of training or care and protection.7215-30
St Michael's Convent, Parkhill, Streatham Common SW16  Penitent women and girls, employed in laundry and needlework.60 
Salvation Army Rescue Home, Southwood, Sydenham Hill, Sydenham SE261889 Girls and women in distress.71no limit
Sydenham Shelter, The Homestead, 31 Venner Road, Sydenham SE261895 Destitute girls; local cases free.416-20
Rescue Society Home, Victoria House, 89 Central Hill, Upper Norwood SE191853 Fallen women; usually remain twelve months. First maternity cases received, terms according to circumstances.4014-25
St Marcella's Home, 11-13 Elmbourne Road, Upper Tooting SW171905 Girls of secondary education.9over 14
The Lambeth Home, 11 St Nicholas Street, Upper Tooting SW7by 1920 Mothers with their babies; remain one year if possible; from 10s.814-25
Home for Destitute Girls, 139 Upper Kennington Lane, Vauxhall SE111884 To receive girls fallen from virtue, and train them for honest employment; free; remain at least six months.  
St Anne's Hostel, 42 Harleyford Road, Vauxhall SE111920 Rescue, probation, and remand cases; temporarily; free.814-20
Church Army Home, 64 St Ann's Hill, Wandsworth SW181915 Unmarried mothers with babies; 10s.9under 30
St Mary's Refuge, 12 Althorp Road, Wandsworth Common SW17by 1885    
West Norwood Shelter, 18 Dassett Road, West Norwood SE27  Rescue and preventive cases; 5s.; local cases free.3under 30
The House of Rest, 50 Palace Road, West Norwood SW2by 1890 Free.  
Westminster Female Refuge, 11 Tufton Street, Westminster SW1by 1912 A temporary Refuge for young women, who are passed on to Penitentiaries; free.18under 24
Westminster Female Refuge, 14 Great College Street, Westminster SW11856 A temporary refuge for young women, who are passed on to Penitentiaries, mostly to that at Highgate.18no limit
Newport Market Refuge, 74 Coburg Row, Rochester Row, Westminster SW118631905  no limit
The Refuge, 8 Norris Street, Haymarket, Westminster SW11888 Fallen girls; free; temporarily.7under 30
St Ann's House, 98 Horseferry Road, Westminster SW11901 Friendless and fallen; 5s. Westminster cases free.4no limit
Newport Market Refuge, Coburg Row, Rochester Row, Westminster SW11861 Fallen women.  
Lock Hospital, Grosvenor Place, Westminster SW11746 (1930) V.D., certified cases under Mental Deficiency Act, 1913; and maternity cases162no limit
Pimlico Ladies' Association, Victoria Refuge, 241 Vauxhall Bridge Road, Westminster SW11906By 1930Fallen girls; temporarily; local cases, free.7no limit
Temporary Home, 10 Wood Street, Woolwich SE18by 1897 A temporary refuge.6no limit
Temporary Home, 146 Samuel Street, Woolwich SE18by 1900 Fallen women; temporarily.6no limit
Woolwich Night Shelter, 18 Parry Place, Woolwich SE18by 1935 Girls and women in need of help.2no limit
Woolwich Preventive and Rescue Home, 32 Rectory Place, Woolwich SE18by 1912 Friendless and fallen women; temporarily. Preventive cases, 2s. 6d.614-25
Woolwich Refuge, 59 Rectory Place, Woolwich SE18by 1935 Friendless and fallen women; temporarily. Preventive cases.814-25