Discovering and Exploring The Area of Bloomsbury in the London Borough of Camden
Bloomsbury is an area of the London Borough of Camden, situated between Euston Road and Holborn. The entire area was developed by the Russell family in the early 17th and 18th centuries into a fashionable residential area. Well known for its garden squares, famous literary connections, and numerous cultural, educational, traditional and healthcare institutions, this area is an excellent place for living. The Square was laid out in 1660 by Thomas Wriothesley, 4th Earl of Southampton. Much of the district was planned and built by James Burton.
Filled with beautiful buildings, Bloomsbury is where you will find the British Museum, the campus of the University of London and the British Library. London's Museum Mile stretches from the Strand along Kingsway to Euston Road and has plenty of historic homes, parks and museums along the way.
The best-known square within the area is Russell Square, the largest square in London. It has beautiful central gardens which are locked and privately owned by the residents of the surrounding elegant townhouses.
Things to See and Do in Bloomsbury
The British Museum is one of the most popular attractions in London. Located in a striking neoclassic building, it is crammed with ancient treasures and artefacts including the Rosetta Stone, a collection of Egyptian mummies and the Elgin Marbles. The Charles Dickens Museum in Bloomsbury will be of interest to literature fans. It is set in the furnished house where Dickens lived from 1837 to 1839 and where he wrote Oliver Twist, Pickwick Papers and other classic novels. Fitzroy House on Fitzroy Street was the home where playwright George Bernard Shaw once lived. Later, in the late 1950s, L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology worked here, and the building is still in a 1950s timewarp. It has free admission and tours can be arranged by appointment. The Sir John Soane's Museum also has a colourful collection of exhibits telling his life story. The Cartoon Museum is the place to go for some light relief and not only has a vast collection of old cartoons, but also many comics on display.