Top Things to do in Bloomsbury

Things to do in Bloomsbury: Your All-In Guide

We’re very lucky here at the Mentone to be located in such an historic and cultural neighbourhood, literally packed wall-to-wall with things to do and places to see. From peaceful green spaces to world-class museums, and from traditional pubs and excellent restaurants to a buzzing nightlife scene, putting this list together of what to do in Bloomsbury London has been quite the labour of love. I hope you find it helpful!

Things to do near Bloomsbury

Well-served by public transport, surrounded by numerous Underground stations including Russell Square, Holborn, and Tottenham Court Road, Bloomsbury is also in walking distance of major hubs like King’s Cross St Pancras and Euston stations, so it’s a breeze to get to from anywhere in London or beyond.

Even just a walk around the area to explore the historic streets and Georgian architecture is a pleasure in itself. But if you’re looking to put an itinerary together for an upcoming visit to London or a stay at the Mentone, here are my suggestions for the top things to do near Bloomsbury.

Museums in Bloomsbury

It’s safe to say Bloomsbury has its fair share of museums. In fact, there are several packed into a relatively small area.

British Museum

Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
13 minute walk from the hotel
https://www.britishmuseum.org
Tel: 020 7323 8000
Open daily 10.00–17.00 (Fridays: 20.30)
Last entry: 16.45 (Fridays: 20.15)

One of the most famous museums in Bloomsbury, if not the most famous, has to be the British Museum.

Opened in 1759, The British Museum was the first national museum to cover all fields of human knowledge. With its vast galleries and world class collections, it’s a day out in itself and totally family-friendly. And it’s free to get in!

The Cartoon Museum

63 Wells St, London, W1A 3AE
13 minute walk from the hotel
https://www.cartoonmuseum.org
Tel: 020 7580 8155
Email: hello@cartoonmuseum.org
Open daily 10.30am–5.30pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm
Closed Monday, last Thursday of every month 10.30am-8pm

From rare originals from the likes of the Beano to political sketches, the Cartoon Museum is committed to preserving the best of British cartoons, caricatures, comics and animation.

Housing a collection of over 6000 original cartoons, plus a library of 8000+ comics and books, the museum does a great job of documenting the history of British comics from the 18th century to now. Definitely one of the most interesting museums in Bloomsbury if you’re into this sort of thing.

Grant Museum of Zoology

Rockefeller Building, 21 University Street, London WC1E 6DE
13 minute walk from the hotel
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/culture/grant-museum-zoology
Tel: 020 3108 9000
Email: museums@ucl.ac.uk

Open Tuesday – Friday 1pm-5pm, Saturday 11am-5pm
Closed Sunday and Monday

The Grant Museum of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy is part of University College London. It’s a natural history museum, established by Robert Edmond Grant in 1828 as a teaching centre and regularly used by students at the university.

The museum hosts regular events, including family-friendly experiences, and showcases around 68,000 zoological specimens, including the world’s rarest skeleton, dodo bones and all sorts of models.

The Charles Dickens Museum

14 minute walk from the hotel
48-49 Doughty St, London WC1N 2LX
https://dickensmuseum.com
Tel: 020 7405 2127
Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am-5pm
Closed Monday and Tuesday

Set in the author’s only surviving London house, the Charles Dickens Museum holds the world’s most important Dickens collection with over 100,000 items such as manuscripts, rare editions, personal items, paintings and more.

It’s one of the most historical museums in Bloomsbury, a magnet for literary fans and a great chance to see how Dickens lived. Suitable for all ages.

Sir John Soane’s Museum

13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP
15 minute walk from the hotel
https://www.soane.org
Tel: 020 7405 2107
Email: admin@soane.org.uk
Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm

If you’re interested in seeing how Cartwright Gardens looked originally, I recommend a visit to the Sir John Soane’s Museum. They have a painting of a panoramic view of Burton Crescent (the original name for Cartwright Gardens) dated c.1817, which shows the gardens and their lawns and shrubs.

The museum was home to Sir John Soane, one of the greatest English architects, who built and lived in it two centuries ago. The museum has been retained as it was at the time of his passing in 1837, displaying his collection of antiquities, furniture, sculptures, architectural models and paintings.

One of the most popular museums in Bloomsbury, the Sir John Soane hosts various exhibitions, tours, talks, clubs, workshops and courses, including family-friendly sessions and events. It’s free to get in and there’s no need to pre-book unless you’re going as a group of eight or more, or joining a highlights tour.

Museum of Comedy

The Undercroft, St George’s Church, Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2SR
17 minute walk from the hotel
https://www.museumofcomedy.com/home-of-live-comedy
Tel: 020 7534 1744
Email: enquiries@museumofcomedy.com
Opening hours vary, details here

The Museum of Comedy is more a show venue than a museum, although it does have on show a variety of comedy-related artefacts and hosts regular exhibitions and family-friendly events.

Shows include the Monday Club, where comedians get to try out new jokes, plus the annual New Comedian of the Year and Sketch Off competitions.

After a pre-show drink, you can enjoy ‘The Comic Collection’, a display of portraits of Britain’s best loved current comedy stars, or have a browse through comedy memorabilia ranging from Bill Bailey’s iconic 6-neck guitar to the back door of the Trotter’s Reliant Regent and Spitting Image heads!

As museums in Bloomsbury go, this is definitely one of the most intriguing and I think a great place to visit for any comedy fan.

Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology

11 minute walk from the hotel
University College London, Malet Place, London WC1E 6BT
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/culture/petrie-museum
Tel: 020 3108 9000
Open Tuesday – Friday 1pm-5pm, Saturday 11am-5pm
Closed Sunday and Monday

The Petrie Museum dates back to 1892 and houses something like 80,000 objects, making it one of the vastest collections of Egyptian and Sudanese archaeology in the world.

Artefacts include one of the earliest pieces of linen from Egypt dating back to around 5000 BC, the largest architectural drawing from about 1300 BC, and a dancer’s dress from the Pyramid Age, about 2400 BC. A fascinating visit for anyone interested in Egyptian history.

Churches in Bloomsbury

There are some stunning churches in Bloomsbury which are worth a visit just for their history and period architecture alone, although many host events such as carol concerts that are very popular amongst locals and visitors alike, so be sure to check the websites of each to see what’s on.

St Pancras New Church

Euston Road, London NW1 2BA 
5 minute walk from the hotel
Tel: 020 7388 1461
https://stpancraschurch.org/

St Pancras New Church was consecrated by the Bishop of London in 1822. Interestingly, it was the most expensive church to be built in London since the rebuilding of St Paul’s Cathedral, designed to seat as many as 2,500 people.

The church is English Heritage Grade I listed and a significant early example of Greek revival architecture.

The church’s Crypt Gallery hosts a schedule of year-round events. Opening times vary depending on the schedule, so check the ‘what’s on’ section of the website for details.

St George the Martyr Church

44 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AH
13 minute walk from the hotel
Tel: 020 7404 4407
Email: hello@sgtm.org
https://sgtm.org/

St George the Martyr is a parish church situated in the historic Queen Square. It first opened its doors in 1706.

Sadly, this church is now on the Heritage “At Risk” register. But paying a visit and making a donation if you can while you’re there can help.

St George’s Church

Bloomsbury Way, Bloomsbury, London WC1A 2SA
​17 minute walk from the hotel
https://www.stgeorgesbloomsbury.org.uk
Tel: 020 7242 1979​
​Email: info@stgb.org.uk

Dating back to 1730 and more recently subject to a £9 million restoration, St George’s Church is spectacular both inside and out and the Corinthian-inspired frontage has been described as ‘the most grandiose of London’s 18th century church fronts’. Definitely cameras at the ready for this one.

Other churches in Bloomsbury that you might like to visit…

Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church
235 Shaftesbury Ave, London WC2H 8EP
20 minute walk from the hotel
https://www.bloomsbury.org.uk

Hillsong Church Central London
35 Little Russell Street, London WC1A 2HH
22 minute walk from the hotel
https://hillsong.com/uk/central-london/

All Saints Church
7 Margaret Street, London W1W 8JG
25 minute walk from the hotel
https://asms.uk/

The Bloomsbury Festival

The annual Bloomsbury Festival is a celebration of the creative heritage of the area. It showcases a vibrant programme of culture, arts, science, literature and performance and features arts, music, theatre, displays, talks, walks and community events.

Established in 2006, the festival runs for ten days every October and you’ll see all the streets, parks, museums, galleries and public and private buildings of Bloomsbury transform into a stage over a hundred events which pull in a huge audience from across London and beyond.

Absolutely a must-visit if you’re in Bloomsbury in October.

Here’s all the info: https://bloomsburyfestival.org.uk/

Green spaces and gardens in Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury might be nestled right in the centre of the busy capital, but it’s actually home to some beautiful and surprisingly leafy and tranquil squares and gardens, all of them popular amongst locals, office workers, students and visitors from all corners of the globe.

If you’re looking for things to do near Bloomsbury that involve chilling out and enjoying a bit of green space and nature, here are some suggestions for you.

Russell Square Gardens

69 Russell Square, London WC1B 5DN
https://bloomsburysquares.com/the-squares/russell-square/

Located in the heart of Bloomsbury and designed by James Burton, Russell Square Gardens is known for its mature plane trees and landscaped lawns. Centred on a plaza with a fountain, tea pavilion, and plenty of places to sit and relax, the gardens are known for their peaceful atmosphere and are a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.

Bloomsbury Square Gardens

14 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1A 2HL
https://www.bloomsburylondon.com/tenants/bloomsbury-square-gardens

Bloomsbury Square was developed in the late 17^th century. It’s a pretty garden square known for its bronze statue of Charles James Fox, who was Britain’s first Foreign Secretary.

Woburn Square Gardens

13 Woburn Square, London WC1H 0NS
https://bloomsburysquares.com/the-squares/woburn-square/

Woburn Square is located in the grounds of the University of London and has lovely gardens set with mature plane trees, shrubbery and a lawn. There’s also a toddlers’ playground and plenty of benches to sit and take a breather.

Argyle Square Gardens

36 Argyle Square, London WC1H 8ER
https://bloomsburysquares.com/the-squares/argyle-square/

Established in the early 19th century, Argyle Square Gardens was named after the Duke of Argyle who owned properties in the area. The gardens feature a central path, mature trees, and lawned areas. They’re popular amongst locals and visitors, where they flock to take a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the city. And who can blame them?

Brunswick Square Gardens

Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX
https://www.bloomsburylondon.com/tenants/brunswick-square-gardens

These historic gardens date back to the late 18th century. They’re planted with lovely flowerbeds, ornamental gardens and some very special trees, including the famous Brunswick Plane, which I understand is one of London’s ten great trees.

Tavistock Square

Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9BQ
https://bloomsburysquares.com/the-squares/tavistock-square/

Tavistock Square was developed in the 1820s by builder Thomas Cubitt on the estate owned by the Dukes of Bedford. By all accounts, its name comes from the title, ‘Marquess of Tavistock’, given to the eldest sons of the Dukes of Bedford.

There’s a statue here of Mahatma Gandhi, a bust of Bloomsbury author and former resident Virginia Woolf, plus a cherry tree planted in honour of the victims of the Hiroshima bombing.

Regent Square Gardens

Regent Square Gardens, London WC1H 8HZ
https://www.bloomsburylondon.com/tenants/regent-square-gardens

Regent Square Gardens is a historic green space with an important history dating back to the early 19th century. The garden square was named after the Prince Regent and reflects the architecture of the Regency period.

Cartwright Gardens

Cartwright Gardens, London WC1H 9EH
https://bloomsburysquares.com/the-squares/cartwright-gardens/

Naturally I’m biased towards Cartwright Gardens being as it’s where the Mentone is located! But really these wheelchair accessible gardens are very pretty and make for such a tranquil getaway from the Central London treadmill.

The gardens are steeped in history and home to some of the most amazing London Plane trees in the area. Have a read of the website (link above) to learn more about how the gardens, and the surrounding houses, came about.

The Brunswick Centre

London WC1N 1BS
Tel: 020 7833 6066

Home

The Brunswick Centre is Bloomsbury’s very own big-time shopping centre. You’d be forgiven for wondering how this 1960s concrete jungle could be a Grade II listed building, but that’s what it is and it’s become our local retail and dining hotspot, so I reckon it has to feature on my what to do in Bloomsbury list.

At the Brunswick you’ll find a number of eateries and shops, as well as The Curzon Bloomsbury, an historic arthouse cinema with six screens, including the spectacular-looking 148-seat Renoir. There’s also a good events programme, so be sure to have a look at what’s on when you’re due to visit.

Eating out in Bloomsbury

No things to do near Bloomsbury London list would be complete without mention of places to eat in the area. And there are many.

I’ve already put together a few other blogs about where to eat and drink in and around Bloomsbury:

Best places for brunch in Bloomsbury

Taking brunch has become a very fashionable pastime in West London, and we’re lucky enough to have loads of really good options on the doorstep.

Here’s where to take brunch in Bloomsbury…

Afternoon tea near Bloomsbury

There’s probably not a day goes by when we’re not asked by guests at the Mentone for afternoon tea recommendations.

Here’s a list of the best places for afternoon tea near Bloomsbury and King’s Cross.

Pubs near Bloomsbury

Everyone seems to love a traditional English pub, and there are plenty of them within walking distance of the hotel.

Here’s my list of favourite pubs near Cartwright Gardens…

Dining out in Bloomsbury

I’ve written a couple of blogs about dining out in the area.

Top restaurants near Cartwright Gardens lists my top picks of restaurants by cuisine type.

And where to eat in and around Bloomsbury is where I’ve shared our local, family-run favourites.

Nightlife in Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury is brimming with amazing things to do of a night, so it wasn’t difficult to put together a dedicated list of Bloomsbury nightlife recommendations.

From tapas joints to dance clubs, activity bars to live music, there really is so much going on around here after dark.

There are also plenty of cinemas in the area too if you prefer to take in a film, including the summer outdoor favourite Everyman Screen on the Canal.

Planning a stay in Bloomsbury London? We’re ready to welcome you at the Mentone Hotel!

There is so much to do close by the hotel so you’ll be constantly spoilt for choice when booking a stay here.

To secure your room, please get in touch. All direct bookings benefit from a 10% discount and complimentary breakfast. And we’ll be delighted to help steer you towards the best things to do near Bloomsbury depending on what you like best. We look forward to welcoming you!

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