What to do around Bloomsbury London?
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7 Fun Things To Do in Bloomsbury This Summer
Bloomsbury is one of the few areas of London that really represent the entire city well. Home to some of the most prestigious universities in the UK and known for its listed buildings and leafy green squares, one of the main things that Bloomsbury does well is capture the diversity of London along with offering a unique and interesting balance of both the past and present. Bloomsbury has long been a firm favourite place of residence with creative thinkers, writers, artists, scientists, and intellectuals. Virginia Woolf wrote some of her most famous books here, and Charles Darwin created his theory of natural selection here.
What To Do In Bloomsbury London Today
Today, Bloomsbury is an area of London that is home to several amazing things to see and do, including the awesome University of London Library and the gorgeous and interesting British Museum, which is home to thousands of historical exhibits from around the world.
What to Do Around Bloomsbury London – The British Museum:
While London is a city that is filled with some of the best and most well-renowned museums from around the world, the British Museum is undoubtedly the most famous and popular. Featuring a massive collection of historic artefacts and treasures from around the world, the British Museum was the first public museum to be opened worldwide when it was founded in 1753. It is located in a gorgeous and imposing building with an impressive glass-ceiling concourse. One of the best things about this museum is that it’s free to enter and look around and with so many excellent exhibitions on offer, you can easily spend a full day here exploring just one or two of the collections, with plenty for you to return to at a later date. Egyptian mummies, the Rosetta Stone, and marble sculptures from the Parthenon in ancient Greece are just some of the exhibits that you can enjoy here.
What to Do At Bloomsbury London – Royal Academy of Dramatic Art:
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) is one of the most prestigious and well-respected drama schools in the city of London and around the world. Some of the most famous actors in the UK studied here, including Sean Bean, Tom Hiddleston, Vivien Leigh, Anthony Hopkins, Alan Rickman, and Kenneth Branagh. If you are interested in drama and want to be amongst the first to see some of the up-and-coming actors in the UK before they hit the big screens and become world-famous, RADA is the place to be. Throughout the school term, the public are welcome to visit and watch the drama students host a variety of performances.
What to Do in Bloomsbury District London – School of Oriental and African Studies:
The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) located in Bloomsbury is not just for students but offers a public exhibition at the Brunei Gallery, which gives visitors the chance to see beyond the UK. The Brunei Gallery offers a collection of historical and contemporary exhibitions that are focused on Africa, the Middle East and Asia, offering a unique and interesting look into the different cultures from around the world. If you are looking for somewhere quiet to enjoy some time escaping from the big city, the quiet Japanese roof garden included with the free gallery is worth the visit.
What to Do in Bloomsbury London on Sunday – Dominion Theatre:
If you are looking for somewhere to enjoy the best of London’s unbeatable theatre scene, the Dominion Theatre is an ideal place to be. Located in the West End, this spacious theatre is one of the most famous in London, dating back to the 1920s and hosting a wide range of musicals all year round. There are shows available almost every night of the year, with something for everybody including a wide range of popular favourites including Beauty and the Beast, Bat Out of Hell, and the Queen musical, We Will Rock You.
What to Do in Bloomsbury London Tonight – The Place:
The amazing and thriving dance scene is one of the favourite parts of London for creative and artistic people, and if you are looking to get involved, the Place is the best place to go. This dance centre is a huge hit with locals and visitors to the city alike, hosting almost nightly performances by a wide range of contemporary dance artists. If you want to get involved even further and try out some dance moves of your own, they offer contemporary dance and ballet classes that you can sign up to.
What to Do in Bloomsbury London UK – Bloomsbury Museums:
Aside from the British Museum, Bloomsbury is home to a range of further museums with something for everybody. Whether you want to explore art, history, culture, literature or more, there is a wide selection of museums here to choose from. Some of the best picks include:
Charles Dickens Museum:
Located at the former home of the author in Bloomsbury, the Charles Dickens Museum is definitely worth a visit, even if you only read his novels in school. Visitors can spend time exploring the residence where Dickens actually wrote some of his most well-loved classics such as Oliver Twist. As you move through the museum you can explore thousands of different artefacts from the author’s life and career. It offers a permanent exhibition alongside several special events and temporary exhibitions held throughout the year.
The Grant Museum of Zoology:
The Grant Museum of Zoology is the last-remaining university natural history museum in London and is a part of University College London. It is the home of one of the oldest collections of natural history in the UK, with almost seventy thousand zoological specimens from across the animal kingdom. Visitors can explore the quagga, which is the rarest skeleton in the world, here.
The Camera Museum:
Keen photographers will love the Camera Museum, which is located in the basement of a Bloomsbury Café. At this museum, you can find several exhibitions that take you through the history of photographic technology and how it has developed and advanced over time. Camera-lovers will be in awe at the impressive exhibition of cameras that are on display dating right back from the 1800s to modern-day cameras. If you’re looking for some new photography gear, you will enjoy the on-site camera shop.
The Foundling Museum:
This museum offers a unique chance to explore the former Foundling Hospital, which was the first-ever UK charity for children and housed a public art collection. Located in a beautiful 18th-century building, the museum is home to a collection of various old and new exhibits that have been combined together perfectly. There are exhibitions and displays where you can learn more about the charity and hospital itself and its history, along with a range of modern and contemporary art displays.
The Wellcome Collection:
This museum is a free-admission museum that is home to the medical antiques of Henry Wellcome, an avid collector. There are thousands of unique, unusual, and bizarre things to explore here including Napoleon’s toothbrush, Darwin’s walking stick, and much more. The permanent exhibition here gets a lot of buzz simply because of how disorganized and unique it is, and there are regular temporary exhibitions that are held throughout the year. It’s located just opposite Euston station and there’s an on-site gift shop where you can find unusual souvenirs.
The Cartoon Museum:
The Cartoon Museum is a firm favourite with visitors of all ages. It is dedicated to the best of British cartoon shows and is home to a wide range of exhibitions of comic art dating all the way back to the 18th century. You can find everything from your favourite cartoons and comic books to political cartoons and famous caricatures. Their exhibitions often cover a range of themes including everything from Alice in Wonderland to World War II.
What to Do in Bloomsbury Square London – Green Spaces:
Bloomsbury is known for having some of the best green spaces in London, and it often does not feel like you are in the middle of the busy capital city. If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy nature, some of the best green spaces in this area include:
St Georges Gardens:
The perfect place to enjoy a quiet and peaceful escape from the city, St Georges Gardens was once a burial ground, but has been a public park since 1884. With some great walking routes and places to sit, you can also explore the history of the park with some of the past aspects still intact, including a range of tombs and statues.
Regent’s Park:
Located close to Bloomsbury is the second-largest park in the city at 395 acres. Regent’s Park is one of eight Royal Parks in London and has several walking routes, formal gardens, sports facilities, wetlands, picnic areas, children’s playgrounds and much more to offer, making it the perfect choice for a quiet day in the sun or a fun family day out.
Bloomsbury is a favourite area for academics and creatives, with something for everybody to enjoy.
