HIBERNATE HAPPILY WHILST VISITING A STORIED CITY...
Welcome to Tavistock Hotel, where tea flows throughout the day and curiosities are found at each corner. This is London at a slower pace. This is your hotel sweet home, with views across tree-filled Tavistock Square and Russell Square tube station just moments down the road.
So, get ready to settle into city life, during your stay at Tavistock Hotel in Bloomsbury. Offering free and affordable activities in the nearby area; discover large (and little) museums, independently owned shops, local restaurants and lesser-known alleyways...
Wake Up to Park Views
Waking up in a
park view room is the best way to begin your day. Pull back the curtains and let the natural light pour in, as you look out over
Tavistock Square Gardens. This public garden waits for you to take a stroll but first, breakfast calls...and the bacon smells delicious...
A selection of breakfast food on plates – ranging from salami, cheese, bread rolls and salad leaves – to baked beans, a hash brown, sausage and fried egg.
Have a Hearty Breakfast
Savoury or sweet, there are plenty of options. Dig into eggs, sausages, bacon, beans and all the Full English trimmings – or bite into a warm pastry with a side of fresh fruit and yoghurt.
The cheery breakfast team will be on hand to fill up your coffee cups and keep the freshly squeezed orange juice flowing. From Monday - Saturday 07:00 to 10:00 and Sundays & Bank Holidays 07:30 - 10:30, help yourself to as much or as little as you’d like!
A jacket, jeans, hat and jewellery selection laid out on a bed.
Get Ready for the Day
Back upstairs, take your time to freshen up in the shower, tune in to a morning radio show (playable via your in-room flatscreen TV) and get ready for the day ahead. Layer up, (even in summer) because sometimes those cold London winds can take you by surprise.
Pack your wallet and throw an umbrella into your bag (you’re in one of Europe’s rainiest cities after all!) Not to worry if you don’t have one, DripDrop umbrellas can be rented from reception, with proceeds going towards planting trees in Mozambique.
Look for Statues
Leave the lobby and cross the road into
Tavistock Square Gardens, where you’ll soon be surrounded by trees, sculptures and memorials. Known to locals as the ‘Peace Garden’, this square has a statue of
Mahatma Gandhi, bust of
Virginia Woolf, a cherry tree to remember the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and a final statue to commemorate
Dame Louise Aldrich-Blake, one of the first British women to work in medicine. Find a bench to watch the world go by for a moment or walk a lap – this is the best spot to begin your Bloomsbury ramblings.
Peek into a Literary Past
Tavistock Hotel is within ideal walking distance from a range of museums, including the
British Museum. But perhaps you’re looking to escape the crowds? A morning at the
Charles Dickens Museum does just the trick. See how one of England’s most prolific and famous writers once lived, open Wednesday – Sunday 10:00 – 17:00, with concessionary tickets available.
From Dickens’ impressive writing desk to the dining table where he had many a lavish party, there’s a lot to see. Grab a souvenir to take home too from the Curiosity Shop, filled with literary knick-knacks.
Did you know? Dickens’ favourite colour was red, specifically the shade ‘scarlet’. Keep an eye out for scarlet objects to spot during your tour!
Visit London’s Narrowest Alleyway
Just around the corner from the museum, stop by Emerald Court Wc1. Although emeralds are unlikely to be found (unless you pop into Maggie Owen London, the jewellery store close by) discover London’s narrowest alleyway, the Emerald Court, at just 26 inches wide.
Did you know? Emerald Court is so narrow because of the accumulation of mixed architecture built close to each other since the 1750s.
A bright blue painted shop with colourful men’s jackets and shirts displayed in the window.
Shop for Colourful Clothes
A two-minute walk around the corner, 40 Colori is a quirky menswear boutique known for selling a full range of custom clothes. ‘Dopamine dressing’ has risen in popularity recently, so what better way to brighten your trip with something bespoke to remember London by?
Also known for selling uniquely designed umbrellas, this shopping haven is a friendly, local spot for getting that special someone (yourself included) a gift for rainy days.
Browse Bloomsbury Bookshops
Once you’ve finished exploring shops and alleyways, Judd Books and Skoob Books are worth the detour back to Tavistock Hotel. Two second-hand literary treasure troves and regular haunts for academics. Pick up an Austen classic or Plath poetry anthology for just a ‘couple o’ quid’, ready for some bedtime reading later.
Did you know? ‘Couple o’ quid’ is a phrase said by Londoners to mean two or a few pounds. The word ‘quid’ can be traced back to Quidhampton, an English village where the Royal Mint once printed money.
Woolf & Whistle bar area, showing a full bar with drinks and beer taps; as well as armchair seating.
Taste the ‘Tavi Club’ Sandwich
Whether you’re taking some time out for yourself or getting to know fellow travellers,
Woolf & Whistle is the place to go for lunch. This Art Deco inspired space in
Tavistock Hotel has cushiony chairs and sofas ready for you to tuck into a club sandwich - on thick white or malted brown bread - packed with chicken, crispy bacon, lettuce, hardboiled egg and sliced tomato. The menu also features hearty plates of fish and chips and pies or lighter bites like a homemade soup-of-the-day.
Then enjoy your favourite drink, from floral-infused tonic waters to London lagers on tap, the bar team will look after you.
Wander The Wellcome Collection
After lunch and just an eight-minute walk away, discover an array of books, artwork, films, personal archives and health-related objects (some of which are rather gruesome!) Only at the
Wellcome Collection on Euston Road.
Named after Henry Wellcome and his lifetime health-related collection, Wellcome came to Britain and created a pharmaceutical company. Open Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00, this is a must-see for science and history buffs.
A table with a slice of cake on a plate, small milk jug, cup of tea, half-full teapot and map of the London Underground.
Cosy Up with a Cuppa
Designed with comfort in mind, your cushiony bed is just what you need to settle in for the evening. Whether you’re taking a nap or flicking on the TV with a cuppa in hand, take some time to relax.
Did you know? 17:00 is a common time for British people to enjoy tea with a snack, like lemon drizzle cake or Victoria sponge. If you’re curious, ask the Tavistock Hotel team for their opinions on the perfect cuppa; how much milk to add is up for debate!
Soul-food for Supper
Get ready for a flavour journey across India at
Poppadom Indian Kitchen on the ground floor. Open for lunch Tuesday - Friday 12:00 - 15:30 and dinner Tuesday – Saturday 17:00 - 22:30.
Prefer to hunker down for the night? No problem. The team can deliver dinner straight to your door, so you don’t have to miss out on movie night (or trying Chef Yogesh’s Ruby Butter Chicken!)
A softly lit bedroom with a double bed and window view of green trees.
Book your Stay
Secure your London stay at
Tavistock Hotel today, a hotel with cosy and calm comforts guaranteed. Offering affordable accommodation for couples, families and friends, stay within walking distance to
The British Museum and more at
Tavistock Hotel, part of
Imperial London Family of Hotels. Don’t forget to sign up to the 1837 Club for added member discounts and guest benefits all year round. Save, enjoy, discover!