Things to Do in Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia in London

Wondering about things to do in Bloomsbury, London? This is one of London’s most literary and learned quarters, and of course you can find the outstanding British Museum in Bloomsbury. Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia have so much to offer, even though they’re not as well known as other London neighbourhoods.

Whether you want to find things to do near Russell Square tube station, discover the best hotels in Bloomsbury, or simply know more about this undiscovered part of London, this guide is here to show you the way.

Bloomsbury is known for the British Museum, which can be found in the locale, and also offers some intriguing, lesser-known depositories dedicated to cartoons, zoology, and abandoned children. You can also find a unique library here, plus pleasant outdoor spaces, a lovely church that’s at a hub of the community, and venues devoted to recreation. Fitzrovia, meanwhile, is a firm favourite among foodies.

From what to do to where to stay and eat and more, here’s all you need to know about the Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury areas of London.

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Who is Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia best for?

Foodies
Museum buffs
Fun-loving families
Pop culture aficionados
Fans of literature and learning

Top 10 Things to Do in Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia

The British Museum

This isn’t only the best of the museums in Bloomsbury, but one of the finest on the entire planet. It traces 6,000 years of human history, and there is so much to discover here.

Make the most of your visit by booking a small group guided tour of the British Museum. This will ensure you hone in on the most significant artefacts among the vast number of exhibits here. You’ll also learn all about 6,000 years of history from enthusiastic guides.

Click here to book a guided tour of the British Museum

The Foundling Museum

Though of course it cannot rival the British Museum in terms of scale, The Foundling Museum has unique tales to tell. On Brunswick Square, it’s all about the Foundling Hospital, the first UK home for vulnerable and abandoned children. Founded by the sea captain and philanthropist Thomas Coram, it was also the UK’s first charity.

Entry to the Foundling Museum is included with the London Pass

The Grant Museum of Zoology

Part of University College London, The Grant Museum of Zoology is the UK’s only university zoology museum. It’s Bloomsbury’s understated answer to the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, and offers close to 70,000 specimens.

The museum underwent a £30,000 renovation before reopening in early 2024. Here you can see how real-life research projects are undertaken.

The Cartoon Museum

One of the best things to do in Fitzrovia, west of Bloomsbury, is to laugh out loud at the Cartoon Museum. Unlike most museums, doing just that is actively encouraged here. It’s a bright, modern space that’s all about comics and cosplay.

This isn’t your average museum, and appeals to children as well as adults of all ages.

Entry to the Cartoon Museum is included with the London Pass

The Wiener Holocaust Library

While this might be a sobering place to visit, it’s also an important one. There’s a changing programme of exhibitions, free tours on Tuesdays at 2pm, and a reading room. The collection here is all about the causes, history, and legacy of genocide, the Nazis, and the Holocaust.

Coram’s Fields

Named for Thomas Coram, this seven acre site lies close to the British Museum and Russell Square tube station. There’s great playgrounds for kids here, plus a paddling pool and indoor soft play. Coram Fields also has a wildlife garden, sports courts, and a cafe.

You can also find the Big Top Bloomsbury here, which is a popular, multi-purpose events venue.

Bloomsbury Lanes

Why not go bowling in London? Bloomsbury offers the delightful Bloomsbury Lanes for this very purpose, and the 1950s-esque setting makes the venue stand out. There are 13 lanes you can use.

Curzon Cinema

This five-screen theatre in the Brunswick Centre is a historic art house cinema. It includes a dedicated DocHouse, plus a light, bright cafe offering city views. Why not check out what’s on, whether you fancy a dose of culture or a little light relief?

Bloomsbury Squares

You could also take yourself off on a walking tour of Bloomsbury, to discover the area’s lovely squares.

Gordon Square was where the Bloomsbury Set hung out, while Bedford Square is one of London’s finest Georgian plazas. Discover Victorian-esque St George’s Gardens by a mansion block, or head to Tavistock Square in search of a caffeine hit. Bloomsbury Square Gardens, meanwhile, offers a kids’ playground.

St George’s Church

Designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor, St George’s in Bloomsbury is said to be one of the best Baroque churches in the capital. The unusual design, with a colonnaded front and unique spire, is worth visiting for.

As well as religious services, St George’s is used for community events, including live performances.

Where to Stay in Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia

If you want to find accommodation in London Bloomsbury, great choice! This peaceful area is perfect for families, museum fans, and literary types alike. Here’s a selection of our favourites.

Hotels

£££ – The Bloomsbury Hotel | 5* | Restaurant & bar, room service, & gym | On Great Russell Street
£££ – Kimpton Fitzroy London | 5* | Restaurants & bar, room service, & gym | On Russell Square
£££ – L’oscar London | 5* | Restaurant, room service, & 24-hour reception | Near Holborn tube station

££ – Radisson Blu Edwardian Grafton | 4* | Restaurant & bar, room service, & gym | On Tottenham Court Road
££ – The Academy | 5* | Restaurant & bar, room service, & 24-hour reception | Near the British Museum
££ – The Montague on the Gardens | 4* | Restaurant & bar, room service, & gym | Near the British Museum

£ – City Inn Russell Square | 3* | Room service | Near the Foundling Museum
£ – Ridgemount Hotel | 2* | Garden | Near Goodge Street station

Holiday rentals

1 bed for 2 – Central W1 studio | Studio & 1 bath | In Fitzrovia
1 bed for 3 – King-Size Fitzrovia Stay | 1 bed & 1 bath | In Fitzrovia

Where to Eat in Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia

Fitzrovia in particular is a foodies’ paradise, so you could simply wander around and see what tempting smells waft your way. Alternatively, these are some of the best places to eat in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia, and are spread throughout the two neighbourhoods.

Akoko

Expect spectacular, flavour-packed dishes at Akoko. The food draws upon African cuisine from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal. Book the 10-course tasting menu for an outstanding foodie experience.

The Brunswick Centre

Many of the best places to eat in Bloomsbury can be found in and around the Brunswick Centre (which is also home to the Curzon Cinema). You can also admire the brutalist 1960s architecture – if admire is the right word! Find it all on Marchmont Street in Bloomsbury.

Camera Museum

The name might not make you expect one of the best restaurants in Bloomsbury, but the Camera Museum, by the British Museum, is a cafe as well as a used camera and repair shop. There’s also a small camera gallery.

Carmel

Come to Carmel for exceptional Middle Eastern fare washed down with a fabulous wine list. It’s a great place for sharing dishes and trying something new.

Carousel

Carousel is so-called because of its revolving programme of guest chefs, which hail from some of the world’s leading eateries. It’s also a wine bar and a venue for events and workshops.

The Coral Room

The Coral Room at the Bloomsbury Hotel is awash with art deco style. Yet the fair prices bely this venue’s undoubted beauty. It’s best for small plates to accompany cocktails, or a scrumptious afternoon tea in Bloomsbury.

Fork

This is one of those cafes in Bloomsbury often frequented by students. It offers great coffee, yummy cakes and pastries, delicious brunches and lunches, and pop-up supper club nights.

64 Goodge Street

Expect an old school experience at 64 Goodge Street. This Fitzrovia restaurant specialises in satisfying classic French dishes with a contemporary twist.

Indian YMCA

Shhh… don’t tell everyone about one of central London’s best-kept secrets. This cheap-as-chips canteen does everything but French fries – think biryani, dahl, tandoori, and curry in all its forms. Set menus are served for breakfast, and change daily. There’s a simple selection for lunch, and you can also eat dinner here from Monday to Friday.

Number Twelve at Ambassadors Bloomsbury

Ambassadors in Bloomsbury is home to Number Twelve, which serves up Italian fusion cuisine. It’s a bar as well as a restaurant, and thus equally popular after dark.

Where to Shop in Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia

As there are plenty of places to shop in this part of London, here are some of the more eccentric options.

Maggs Bros Ltd

Maggs Bros dates from 1853, and was established by Uriah Maggs, whose name sounds like it’s straight from the pages of a Charles Dickens novel. The staff are unfailingly helpful, and it’s the place to be if you’re into rare antiquarian books, counterculture, or the occult.

The Brunswick Centre

As well as places to eat, you can satisfy your retail urges at the Brunswick Shopping Centre in Bloomsbury. The Grade II listed brutalist mall offers supermarkets, pharmacies, a bookshop, and more.

James Smith and Sons

Said to have inspired Ollivander’s, the wand shop in the Harry Potter books and films, James Smith and Sons specialises in umbrellas, parasols, walking canes and sticks, and shoe horns. The store on New Oxford Street has barely changed since it first opened during the mid 19th century.

Gay’s the Word

This LGBTQ+ bookstore dates back to 1979, making it the UK’s oldest. It counts celebrities among its loyal fans, and hosts readings, signings, and discussion groups. The shop also stocks a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles.

L Cornelissen and Son

Established in 1855, this art shop is a must for creative sorts. It’s worth visiting just to see the Victorian fixtures and fittings inside. As well as the selection of luxurious art materials.

How to Get to Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia

Underground stations

Russell Square – Piccadilly line
Goodge Street – Northern line

Train station

Euston

Buses

Look out for buses stopping in the Russell Square, Euston, or Tottenham Court Road areas.

Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia FAQs

Where is Bloomsbury in London?

Bloomsbury is south of Euston station, east of Fitzrovia, west of Clerkenwell, and north of Holborn. It’s directly north of Charing Cross station, the epicentre of the city. It’s home to Russell Square, the British Museum, and University College London.

Where is Fitzrovia?

Fitzrovia is west of Bloomsbury, north of Soho, and east of Marylebone. Euston station is to the northeast, and Regents Park to the northwest.

What Will You Do in Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia?

If you were wondering what to do in Bloomsbury, we hope this guide has inspired you! The Bloomsbury neighbourhood in London – and nearby Fitzrovia – is perfect for families, foodies, fans of museums, and anyone into literature, cinema, or popular culture.

It’s also a peaceful place to stay, yet within easy reach of all central London attractions. In short, the Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia areas make the perfect big city base – and are also well worth exploring in their own right.

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