Bohemian Bloomsbury
Holborn underground station, London (main exit, debouches onto Kingsway)
Guided by
Brian or David or Dr Ann or Jan or Tom
Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5
Walk Times
| Day |
Walk Type |
Start Time |
End Time |
|
|
| Tuesday |
Weekly |
2 pm |
4 pm |
Winter Summer |
Reserve Online
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N.B. this walk will not take place on the following dates:
24-11-2026
01-12-2026
08-12-2026
15-12-2026
12-01-2027
19-01-2027
26-01-2027
02-02-2027
09-02-2027
23-02-2027
09-03-2027
16-03-2027
What larks! What plunges!
Unexpected, Uncommon, Unforgettable
Hidden in plain sight off the beaten track awaits Bloomsbury. Meander through tree-lined squares and streets built after The Great Fire of London and expect the unexpected at every turn. Cromwell’s ‘ghost’, Nelson’s funeral Director, Longitude, King George III and Peter Pan. Water conduits that once ran with wine, centuries-old canopied houses, the birthplace of the Arts & Crafts movement and the most famous children’s hospital in the world. And writers. Here was aristocratic detective Lord Peter Wimsey, here were Dickens’ child chimney sweeps, here was where poets Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath married and George Orwell introduced us to Big Brother. And this was Virginia Woolf’s neighbourhood too, close to The British Museum, founded with Chelsea resident Hans Sloane’s collection. ‘London specialises in hiding the best of itself.’ Nowhere more so than in Bloomsbury. As for après walk, perhaps drop in on the British Museum or have a drink at a traditional old pub, many with outside seating.
WHAT GUIDES!
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, Bohemian Bloomsbury it can always be booked as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Bohemian Bloomsbury walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS
A private London Walk makes a fab gift – be it a birthday or anniversary or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
LONDON WALKS – STREETS AHEAD!
Don’t just take it from us.
OTHER TOURS YOU MAY LIKE
Peggy –
We took this walk with Ann Robinson over the weekend (December 6th) and found her to be a terrific guide. Her knowledge was broad and deep and she told us stories and pointed out sites we never would have found ourselves. The pace was excellent and we would gladly take another walk with her anytime.
Anne Marie –
I did this walk with David on Oct 28th. It was great to explore Bloomsbury (including some bits just outside of B.). The walk had a strong literary focus with David reading out poems etc. David even gave us handouts and followed up with additional information after the tour. This is a great company, which I highly recommend.
Roger A –
Having moved to rural Kent, we hadn’t done a London Walk for several years, and had forgotten how good the guides are, and how much there is to see and learn. David was superb. He led the walk at a sensible pace, taking in quiet backstreets we would probably never have thought to explore, explaining the history of the area and of the literary figures who had lived and worked there. His knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, all things literary and poetic seemed to know no bounds. He supplied us all with generous print-outs of material he used or that he thought we would find interesting, and followed up on email with links to other fascinating sources, and suggested further reading. He even introduced us to an eccentric inventor’s ‘arcade’, and architectural features whose significance we would never have guessed. Wholeheartedly recommended.
L z –
David is incredibly knowledgeable and hugely entertaining. I enjoyed the walk and as with most of these walks, ended up seeing a few more of London’s hidden areas.
Viv Pyner –
Another very enjoyable walk. Dr Ann is very informative and all of us on the walk enjoyed it. She imparted lots of information which was new to me and I will be very happy if I manage to go on another walk guided by her.
Terri M. –
Brian was incredible. I could listen to him talk all day. He had a wonderful voice. He must be an actor. I finally was in London on a Tuesday so I could take this Bloomsbury walks. London Walks is my favorite walking company in the world. This is my 7th walk in the last 15 months.
Sue –
As a self-confessed Literary Philistine and knowing little about the Bloomsbury area, I was a prime candidate for this perambulate with Brian. Whilst Virginia Wolfe was mentioned (vocal impression brilliant) and the shenanigans of the Bloomsbury group described, often in gory detail, there was so much more on offer. Careful how you read the TS Elliot sign, or you could be embarrassed, WC Bloomsbury will not be the answer. How to bring an already dead man to trial and then execute him, the need to get 6 doctors to confirm that your dead wife was actually dead, actual suicide letters and missing ones, it all happened in Bloomsbury! Pirates of The Caribbean, toucans, mustard and Marmite all put in an appearance, beautifully woven into the superb narrative. Did John Harrison’s house in Red Lion Square inspire Del Boy and Rodney? Why ever would a pub be called The Queen’s Larder? Be careful of lead poisoning Mr King. A terrific two hour tutelage.
Isobel Shelton –
Really great walk with Brian. So much detailed information, delivered with a lovely sense of humour. Highly recommended tour.
Caroline –
We really enjoyed Ann’s tour around Bloomsbury. She was knowledgeable, informative, enthusiastic and entertaining. I believe it was her first delivery of this particular walk but hopefully there will be many more to follow so that others can enjoy her warm enthusiasm. We really liked the way that she engaged the whole group and brought it together into a transient community
Paul Brunton –
Ann is both a knowledgeable guide and her delivery is very engaging. One of the best walks I have done with London Walks