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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.
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WHEN
TO GO Holborn Library is closed Wednesdays & Sundays Check opening days of museums or galleries you wish to visit |
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GETTING
THERE Access from stations along Euston Road - Great Portland Street, Warren Street, Euston Square, Euston, Kings Cross/St Pancras and Thameslink. Also Goodge Street and Tottenham Court Road on the west and Russell Square. Travelcard Zone 1 |
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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] |
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WALKS I have a 4½ mile walk around the area [click here] The Jubilee Walkway includes a Bloomsbury loop. London Parks & Gardens Trust have produced a Bloomsbury route. |
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PLACES
TO VISIT THE BRITISH LIBRARY 96 Euston Road. Tel 020 7412 7332 Permanent and changing exhibitions. Shop and cafe. Free. BRITISH MUSEUM Great Russell Street. Tel 020 7636 1555 The setting of this world famous collection has been much improved with the opening of the Great Court and the Reading Room. Shops and cafes. Free. 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 PERCIVAL DAVID FOUNDATION OF CHINESE ART 53 Gordon Sq. Tel 020 7387 3909 Collection of some 1700 pieces of ceramics from China. 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 |
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ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS BRITISH MUSEUM Great Russell Street. Tel 020 7636 1555 Free gallery eyeOpener tours offered daily. Programme of special events. THE BRITISH LIBRARY 96 Euston Road. Tel 020 7412 7332 Programme of special events. ST PANCRAS CHURCH Euston Road. Tel 020 7388 1461 Lunchtime music on Thursdays at 1:15pm |
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EATING
OUT Some of the squares (see Green Spaces) The Piazza of the British Library Automatic Toilet in NE corner of Russell Square otherwise mainline stations, museums etc |
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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. |
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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 GEORGES BLOOMSBURY Bloomsbury Way. This Hawksmoor church has undergone extensive restoration. |
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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. |
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WATER FEATURES Fountains in Russell Square |
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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 The auto icon of philosopher Jeremy Bentham in UCL Gower Street (access from the entrance in the right hand wing) |
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