Our Guide to London’s Historic Bloomsbury Neighborhood

An area steeped in literary history and academic achievement

Bloomsbury, London’s most vibrant and historic district, is situated in the southernmost part of the?Borough of Camden?and is recognized as the intellectual and literary capital of?London. This lively and remarkable area was made most famous by a group of turn-of-the-century writers that included?Virginia Woolf?and?Charles Darwin. The arts and education have a long history here, so it’s not surprising that some of the most prestigious, oldest, and most important universities in London (and all of the UK) are found in this neighborhood. The?University of London?has made?Bloomsbury?the base for a number of its colleges, including the famous?London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. On any given day, a lively rush of students and professionals keep the area buzzing.

What could be a better location to rent an apartment if you’re coming to London for academics or professional pursuits? You’ll find like-minded colleagues and intellectuals studying over a cup of tea at one of the neighborhood literary cafes or bookshops, or winding down their days with a pint and some stimulating conversation in one of the local pubs.

History surrounds you! Visit the multitude of museums nearby

The British Museum?was founded in 1753 as the first national public museum in the world and is one of the world’s most popular attractions. It houses a vast collection of artifacts, spanning 2 million years of human history, art, and culture, and is ever-expanding with ongoing research and conservation projects. In case you’re visiting London on a student budget, the museum is and has always been free! You’ll find students, scholars, locals and tourists all soaking up some history here under the glass-roofed?Great Court?on any given day.

For the culturally curious there are plenty of other museums in the area as well, including the?Charles Dickens Museum. Literally the home of one of the world’s greatest storytellers, the museum occupies the house in which he once lived and wrote the novel?Oliver Twist?in 1838. Tour through the rooms, then stop at the?Garden Cafe?for a bite before you leave. If you’ve got the kids in tow, don’t miss the?Cartoon Museum,?dedicated to British cartoons and comics and fun for all ages. The museum runs an array of programs for school children as well as adult courses in cartooning, proving you’re never too old to be a child at heart!

Bloomsbury’s famous squares balance urban elements with nature

Children and adults appreciate London’s squares, an integral part of its urban landscape. The squares blend greenery and open spaces into the network of city streets and provide much-needed areas for recreation and relaxation. Bloomsbury in particular is renowned for its lovely garden squares that add welcome greenery to the urban setting. Be sure to make a pit stop at?Bloomsbury Square?and as many others as you can to experience the uniqueness of each.?Russell Square?has its own cafe, open from 7:00 a.m. to sunset all year round, and is at the heart of the annual?Bloomsbury Festival: a festival of culture, music and social events held every October.

Surrounding area and sights to see

Right near Russell Square you’ll find?Brunswick Centre, a one-stop spot for entertainment. This residential and shopping center houses flats, shops, restaurants, and even a cinema, so you’ll never be bored on a rainy London day. Residing in this neighborhood, you’ll also be surrounded by some of London’s most beautiful parks and buildings. One notable building is?All Souls Church in Langham Place. It is an example of Regency-style architecture, built in 1824 of England’s famous Bath stone and drawing thousands of visitors each week. For an interesting park destination, try?St. George’s Gardens. Once a pair of burial grounds and now on?The National Heritage List for England, they are enjoyed as a public park and a peaceful spot where you can still see many of the old tombs and gravestones among the greenery.

Balance work with play: Theater and pub culture

Whether you’re visiting Bloomsbury for work, school or leisure, there’s always time for enjoying the local area. Bloomsbury is an area associated with the arts, so of course it has plenty of wonderful theaters to visit.?Bloomsbury?Theater, owned by?University College London,?offers a varied program of music, comedy, dance, and drama.?Dominion Theater?is another local outlet that hosts mainstream blockbuster-type musical productions and major charity events. It has also had the talents of renowned English musicians such as?David Bowie,?Duran Duran?and?Boy George?grace its stage over the years. After a night out, head to one of the local pubs, restaurants or charming cafes in the neighborhood.?Vats Wine Bar?is a classic and?The Lamb—reputedly frequented by Charles Dickens back in the day—are some of the local favorites.