A CHEAP DAY OUT

in Bloomsbury

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Bloomsbury lies within the Borough of Camden. It is bordered on the north by Euston Road with its mainline stations, the west by Cleveland Street and the Camden boundary, the east by Grays Inn Road and the south by New Oxford Street/Bloomsbury Way/Theobald's Road. Once an area of fashionable squares and large houses during the 19th century the estate was further developed and became a favourite with artists, writers, painters and musicians. The area has now been taken over by a number of institutions especially colleges and hospitals.

WHEN TO GO
Holborn Library is closed Wednesdays & Sundays
Check opening days of museums or galleries you wish to visit
GETTING THERE
Access from stations along Euston Road - Great Portland Street, Warren Street, Euston Square, Euston, Kings Cross/St Pancras. Also Goodge Street and Tottenham Court Road on the west and Russell Square.
Travelcard Zone 1

INFORMATION
Find out more at Holborn Library 32-8 Theobalds Road. Tel 020 7974 6342
'About Camden' is a booklet produced by Camden Arts & Tourism Tel 020 7974 1647

Research the history of the area at Camden Local Studies & Archives (on second floor of Holborn Library) [
details]
There is a Camden History Society [
website]

WALKS
I have a 4 mile walk around the area [
click here]
The Jubilee Walkway includes a Bloomsbury loop.

London Parks & Gardens Trust have produced a Bloomsbury route.

PLACES TO VISIT
THE BRITISH LIBRARY 96 Euston Road. Tel 020 7412 7332

Permanent and changing exhibitions. Shop and cafes. Free (not special exhibitions).
BRITISH MUSEUM Great Russell Street. Tel 020 7636 1555

The setting of this world famous collection was much improved with the opening of the Great Court and the Reading Room. Shops and cafes. Free (not special exhibitions).
CARTOON MUSEUM 35 Little Russell Street WC1 2HH. Tel 020 7580 8155.

Changing displays and special exhibitions. Shop open to all. Free to under 18s.
BRUNEI GALLERY Thornhaugh Street.

Shows historical and contemporary work of and from Asia & Africa. Includes a Japanese Roof Garden. Free.
NEW LONDON ARCHITECTURE 26 Store Street WC1E 7BT.

Large model and information on display. Programme of changing exhibitions. Shop & cafe. Free
PETRIE MUSEUM OF EGYPTIAN ARCHAEOLOGY Gower Street. Tel 020 7679 2884

Collection illustrating life in the Nile Valley. Free
UCL ART COLLECTIONS Gower Street WC1E 6BT. Tel 020 7679 2540.

Old Master prints & drawings plus work from the Slade School of Art. Programme of changing exhibitions. Free

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS
BRITISH MUSEUM Great Russell Street. Tel 020 7636 1555

Free gallery tours offered daily. Programme of special events.
THE BRITISH LIBRARY 96 Euston Road. Tel 020 7412 7332

Programme of special events and tours (some chargeable).
ST PANCRAS CHURCH Euston Road. Tel 020 7388 1461

Lunchtime music on Thursdays at 1:15pm

EATING OUT
Some of the squares (see Green Spaces)
The Piazza of the British Library. A picnic room with vending machines is available inside (Cotton Room - Floor 3).
Automatic Toilet in NE corner of Russell Square otherwise mainline stations, museums etc

SHOPPING/MARKETS
Tottenham Court Road is noted for electrical goods (south end) and furniture/furnishings (north end)
The British Museum and British Library shops sell themed merchandise.
Toys and Toy Theatres at Pollocks Toy Museum in Scala Street.

Cartoon related items at the Cartoon Museum, 35 Little Russell Street.

CHURCHES
ST PANCRAS CHURCH Euston Road.
Tel 020 7388 1461
Built 1819-22 in Greek revival style by Henry William and William Inwood. This was the most expensive church of its time and features pavilions supported by carayatids.
CHAPEL OF ST CHRISTOPHER Great Ormond Street Hospital. Tel 020 7405 9200
Byzantine style chapel by EM Barry of 1875. It was moved and restored when the old building was demolished in the 1980s. It is always open for prayer and contemplation. Donations welcomed.
ST GEORGE'S BLOOMSBURY Bloomsbury Way. Tel 020 7242 1979.

This Hawksmoor church has undergone extensive restoration. There is an exhibition about Hawksmoor & Bloomsbury in the undercroft. The church aims to open 1-4pm daily but relies upon volunteers.
LUMEN UR CHURCH & COMMUNITY CENTRE 88 Tavistock Place. Tel 020 7833 1080.

An upgraded building with a cafe.

GREEN SPACES
Some of the squares in the area have been upgraded including Russell, Brunswick & Bloomsbury. Tavistock and Queens also have pleasant gardens. Note that Bedford, Fitzroy, Gordon, Mecklenburgh and Woburn Squares are all private. Only adults with children are allowed in Coram's Field.
St George's Gardens were made into a public park in 1885 having served as a burial ground for St George the Martyr, Queen Square & St George's Bloomsbury since 1713. The Friends of St George's Gardens can be contacted at 62 Marchmont Street WC1N 1AB.

WATER FEATURES
Fountains in Russell Square

WORTH SEEING
The Great Court of the British Museum - a stunning space
If you can spot the stars of the future whilst having a drink/coffee at RADA in Malet Street. Also see the the stagecraft team at work through the glass floor!
Picturesque shops of 1822 designed by Thomas Cubitt in Woburn Walk
One of the last remaining Cabmen's Shelters in NW corner of Russell Square [
more info]
Underground stations with ox blood tiles designed by Leslie Green at Goodge Street and Russell Square
An old wall advertisement in Regent Square [
more info]
The auto icon of philosopher Jeremy Bentham in UCL Gower Street (access from the entrance in the right hand wing)

 


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