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SQUARES
Bloomsbury, historically the ‘wood of 100 pigs’
(according to various disreputable internet sources)
was once home to both Charles Dickens and Darwin,
as well as the location of 8 Grenville Street, the
home of the Darling family in JM Barrie’s Peter Pan.
An often overlooked quarter of London, the area
is home to numerous educational institutions, the
amazing British Museum, an unbelievable 10 garden
squares, as well as some of the best Georgian
housing stock in London. It’s also the place to head
to if you have picked up something unusual on your
summer travels – The London School of Hygiene and
Tropical Diseases is truly world leading…
A street with a strong independent spirit whereby locals fought
hard to close a Starbucks that was briefly open. Check out Noble
Rot for some great wines, the usual hipster sourdough and flat
whites at Knockbox Coffee, tapas and paella at Gigala, some
organic avocados from The People’s Supermarket, luxury casual
wear at Folk and for the old school who still use pens and paper,
some designer stationary from Volte Face.
Get down here and check out the former British Library Reading
Room, and look up at the stunning Norman Foster designed roof,
before spending between five minutes and five weeks walking
around some of the world’s greatest treasures. Current exhibitions
include Sunken Cities, Egypt’s Lost Worlds to Rock Art, Power
and Symbolism in Southern Africa. It’s rumoured that some of the
exhibitions come alive at night. (Source: Night at the Museum 3:
Secret of the Tomb)
LAMB’S CONDUIT STREET
BRITISH MUSEUM
An absolutely cracking little thoroughfare. Store Street is a pretty
and quiet street, home to Cloud 9 Cycles, an independent boutique
bike shop specialising in custom bike builds, Foote’s Music,
established in the 1920’s, provides a range of bespoke musical
instruments, Treadwell’s Books is the place to go if you want an
indie bookstore with specialist books on world religion, spirituality,
Wicca and paganism, or if you want to get the mother-in-law a
treat head down to Orchidya, the UK’s only dedicated orchid florist.
Recently refurbished and a great hub for those involved in the
architecture, construction and property industry, head down and
check out the various exhibitions on development activity in
different boroughs within London, the construction detail for the
new Elizabeth line and the NLA interactive map. A great place to
take first time visitors or clients to London to educate them on
what is happening where, from Stratford to Ealing.
THE BUILDING CENTRE
STORE STREET
VILLAGE LIFE
Each
quarter we
take you
into one of
London’s
villages.
This time
our mystery
man-
about-town
showcases
the best of
Bloomsbury
Bloomsbury
It’s hip to be square, according to Huey Lewis and the News – and
Bloomsbury has more squares than anywhere in London. Once you
have spent some time looking in amazement at the Elizabeth line
building works at Tottenham Court Road, take a minute walk into
Bloomsbury and relax in Russell, Bloomsbury, Brunswick, Queen,
Bedford, Gordon, Tavistock, Mecklenburgh, Woburn, Torrington
squares. I guarantee even the most established Londoners amongst
you will not have been to most of these.
CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD
35
VILLAGE LIFE