Best Walks and Literary Tours Around Bloomsbury and King’s Cross

Bloomsbury & King’s Cross Walks and Literary Tours

We often get asked by guests about local walks, and one of the best things about Bloomsbury is just how walkable everything is. Whether you’re here for work or leisure, there’s no shortage of interesting places to explore on foot.

From walks around Bloomsbury’s leafy squares and Blue Plaque buildings to King’s Cross walking tours that delve into hidden history, canal paths, and even a few spooky tales, there’s a route for everyone.

And if you’re a book lover, you’re in the right spot — Bloomsbury is full of literary history, with plenty of stops to make your own literary walk in London.

To help you plan your route, I’ve detailed some of my favourite self-guided walks, local highlights, and popular tours our guests often enjoy, starting right from the front door of the Mentone Hotel.

The Bloomsbury Blue Plaque walk

Bloomsbury is known for its leafy squares and Georgian terraces, but if you look a bit closer, you’ll notice blue plaques on quite a few of the buildings. These mark the homes and workplaces of some of the most important names in literature, science and music.

This literary walking route starts at the Mentone Hotel and takes you past a selection of these plaques. It’s not a long walk — more of a leisurely wander — and easy to dip in and out of depending on how much time or energy you’ve got.

1. 46 Gordon Square – Vanessa Bell & Duncan Grant

A short 5–8 minute stroll from the hotel will bring you to 46 Gordon Square, where two key members of the Bloomsbury Group — artist Vanessa Bell and designer Duncan Grant — once lived and worked.

The group was a circle of artists, writers, philosophers and intellectuals who gathered in early 20th‑century Bloomsbury. They helped shape modern ideas about art, gender and society, and were considered pioneers of British modernism.

2. 29 Fitzroy Square – Virginia Woolf

Just a few minutes west of Gordon Square is 29 Fitzroy Square, one of Virginia Woolf’s former homes. Although she also lived at 46 Gordon Square (with her sister Vanessa), Fitzroy Square is where she settled later. It’s a smart little detour if you want to follow in the footsteps of the famous writer, whose work helped define Bloomsbury’s literary reputation.

3. 2 Gower Street – Millicent Fawcett

Head back across to Gower Street and you’ll spot a plaque at number 2 for Millicent Fawcett, a campaigner for women’s rights and a leading figure in the suffrage movement. A reminder of how Bloomsbury was home to important trailblazers who reshaped British society.

4. 12 Gower Street – Charles Darwin

Just down the road at number 12, another blue plaque marks the home of Charles Darwin. Before his voyages and world-changing theories, he lived here as a young man. A surprising slice of scientific history tucked away in Bloomsbury’s student quarter.

5. Bedford Square / Russell Square – A Blue Plaque Cluster

From here, head toward Bedford Square or Russell Square (about a 10 minute walk). Both are surrounded by lovely Georgian buildings and you’ll find several plaques in the area, depending on the route you take. It’s also a lovely place to pause — have a sit on a bench, grab a coffee, or just enjoy the classic Bloomsbury atmosphere.

6. 34 Russell Chambers – Bertrand Russell

Five minutes on and right by Russell Square station is 34 Russell Chambers, where philosopher Bertrand Russell once lived. His name remains important in educational circles, so it’s amazing to see his former doorstep just metres from the Piccadilly Line.

7. 26 Brunswick Square – E.M. Forster

From Russell Square, walk north-east for about seven minutes towards Brunswick Square. Number 26 was home to author E.M. Forster, best known for A Room with a View and Howards End. He’s another key figure associated with the Bloomsbury Group, and his novels often reflect the very streets you’re walking.

8. 5 Woburn Walk – W.B. Yeats

Just round the corner about five minutes away, the pedestrianised crescent of Woburn Walk is one of Bloomsbury’s nicest little streets. Look out for the blue plaque to poet W.B. Yeats at number 5 — then maybe pop into one of the nearby cafés for a coffee and a breather.

9. 11 St Mark’s Crescent – Sir John Barbirolli

Head north-west toward Regent’s Canal for about 10 minutes and you’ll find 11 St Mark’s Crescent, where conductor Sir John Barbirolli once lived. This is a bit further out, but a peaceful stretch along the canal makes it a pleasant walk.

Take it at your own pace

You can do the full route in a couple of hours, or just pick out a few stops that pique your interest. Either way, it’s a brilliant way to explore Bloomsbury’s quieter streets — and gives you a real sense of the creative minds who’ve lived and worked here over the years.

Bloomsbury literary stroll

If you’re really into your literature, these walks around Bloomsbury should prove appealing.

Starting at Cartwright Gardens (which is historical in itself – have a read of my post on the history of Cartwright Gardens) where the area’s creative legacy is well-known, take a short five minute stroll to the British Library.

Here you’ll find none other than the Magna Carta, as well as handwritten Beatles lyrics laid out across 400 miles of shelves, original Shakespeare writings and Jane Austen’s notebook. It’s free to enter, and just a few minutes from King’s Cross.

20 minutes on from here is The British Museum. Known for its artefacts and ancient history, it’s also home to the renowned Rosetta Stone – a reminder of how far back the written word goes. The museum has its own library and reading room too, so it’s a great place for a book lover’s stop-off.

If all that sparks the urge to browse a few shelves, stop by the London Review Bookshop just behind the museum, a lovely independent shop with a well-chosen selection of fiction, essays, and poetry. (The cake in the café next door is excellent too.)

And if your legs are up to it and you fancy thumbing through a few second hand titles, take the half hour stroll over to the Regent’s Canal Towpath where you’ll find Word on the Water.

This 1920s Dutch barge is packed with around 4,000 books, from modern fiction and children’s titles to huge coffee table art books. The owners often host live jazz, storytelling nights and book launches, and inside you’ll find a cosy wood burner stove and a soft armchair where you can put your feet up and enjoy a read if you fancy it.

This is less of a fixed walking route and more of a literary meander — the kind where you can just keep going and see where you end up.

Bloomsbury Health Walks

As detailed in my King’s Cross hidden gems blog, the Association of Bloomsbury Squares and Gardens hosts well-being walks around Bloomsbury.

They’re led by the expert Camden Guides and incorporate a brief stop half way to take in a few intriguing facts about the location. These aren’t guided tours, but they’re a fantastic opportunity to see more of the local areas.

Some past walks have included ‘poets, printers and pioneers’, ‘Bloomsbury’s Green Corridor’, ‘uncovering a ghost police station’ and ‘pioneering mother and daughter writers’.

You can just turn up on the day for the one-hour walk, which goes ahead regardless of the weather. The walks are free, but spaces are limited. Check out the Bloomsbury Health Walks website for starting points and more info.

Canal and nature walks from King’s Cross

If you fancy a quieter stroll or want to explore the local green spaces, Regent’s Canal is a great walking route to follow.

You can pick up the towpath just behind Granary Square, and from there, follow the water west past some lovely local spots — like Word on the Water, Gasholder Park, and the peaceful haven of Camley Street Natural Park, run by the London Wildlife Trust and one of the most surprising hidden gems in the area.

This particular stretch of the canal is flat and easy to walk, making it ideal for an early morning wander or a late afternoon break. You’ll pass barges, cyclists and cafés, and it’s a great spot for photos, especially around Coal Drops Yard, where the old meets the new with a modern shopping centre set amidst converted railway arches and canal views.

If you’re in the mood to stretch your legs a bit more, you can follow the canal path all the way to Camden Lock, which takes around 30 minutes at a gentle pace. Feeling more energetic? Keep going west and you’ll eventually reach Little Venice, with its houseboats, cafés and waterside pubs.

These King’s Cross walking tours are a surprisingly peaceful way to explore London, with a bit of nature, history and people-watching thrown in.

Guided and themed King’s Cross walking tours

If you fancy more of a theatrical experience, there are plenty of guided walking tours around King’s Cross worth checking out.

Jack the Ripper Walks

These infamous tours usually start around Aldgate, Whitechapel or Tower Hill, but they are always popular with guests at the Mentone Hotel, especially our visitors from the US. Some finish near King’s Cross or are just a short Tube ride away.

Expect gripping stories, shadowy alleyways and lots of speculation about Victorian London’s most notorious mystery as you walk the route Jack the Ripper would have taken.

Check out:
London Walks Jack the Ripper Walking Tour
Jack the Ripper Tour
Secret Chamber Tours Jack the Ripper Tour

Ghost Walks and Dark London Tours

Looking for something a bit spooky? Several ghost tours and after-dark walks cover nearby Clerkenwell and Islington, known for their winding lanes and secretive pasts.

Some tours are led by professional actors and include historic pubs, haunted buildings, and tales of London’s more sinister side.

Have a look at:
London Walks Haunted London
London Ghost Tour
The Original London Ghost Walk

Harry Potter Walks

Naturally, King’s Cross Station features heavily in many Harry Potter walking tours, with the obligatory photo stop at Platform 9¾.

Some tours also explore nearby filming locations around Bloomsbury, including streets seen in the films and landmarks like the British Library.

A few options to consider:
London Walks Harry Potter Film Locations
Tour for Muggles
Brit Movie Tours Harry Potter Walking Tour

Other London Walks

You’ll find a range of options from walking tour groups like Footprints of London and London Walks, who run regular themed walks across the area. Some also offered tailored private walks if you’re looking for something specific.

From Shakespeare’s and Dickens’ Old City and Spies’ and Spycatchers’ London to The Beatles Rock ‘n’ Roll London and the Hidden Pubs of Old London Town, there really is something for everyone if you enjoy exploring on foot.

Planning a visit to London? We look forward to welcoming you at the Mentone Hotel!

Located within earshot of numerous attractions, restaurants, pubs, cafés and coffee shops, parks, museums and retail outlets, the Grade II listed Mentone Hotel is nestled in the tranquil surroundings of Cartwright Gardens in historical Bloomsbury, close to King’s Cross.

We offer 40 rooms, free WiFi, luggage storage, and tickets for all the top London attractions. You’ll also enjoy a 10% discount if you book directly, plus an unlimited complimentary breakfast – the perfect way to fuel up before a King’s Cross walking tour!

Please get in touch to check availability. And we will of course be happy to point you towards the best walks around Bloomsbury, King’s Cross and beyond!

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