Our tendency to view London as the country’s bustling and hectic capital means regularly overlooking the surprising tranquility that can be found in the city. The peaceful parks and secluded streets that evoke a sense of London’s past - the years gone by when London wasn’t characterised by skyscrapers and packed streets, but quaint and cobbled roads and culture around every corner.
However, historical neighbourhoods where tranquility is easy to come by still very much exist in present day London, and you don’t have to go far off the track to find them.
Base your urban escape in the green heart of Bloomsbury with Imperial London Hotels.
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Why Bloomsbury is Central London's Hidden Green Heart
Bloomsbury is the perfect example of where a calmer, slower London is still present despite being in the centre of the city. Only minutes from King’s Cross, St Pancras and Euston, and walkable from Soho and Covent Garden, Bloomsbury is the relaxed, thoughtful counterpart to London’s other central neighborhoods.
Rich in historic garden squares - most notably Russell Square, but also Brunswick Square Gardens, Bedford Square and Queen’s Square Gardens - Bloomsbury offers plenty of green space for wandering, sitting, picnicking and reading. A stroll around Russell Square on an autumn day, or time spent beneath a tree in Brunswick Square Gardens on a warm afternoon, evokes the Victorian era, when residents gathered here to socialise and relax.
Beyond the squares and parks, streets are tree-lined and dappled. Bloomsbury’s famous literary heritage lasts to this day, with independent first and second-hand bookshops down every other street. And to add to the leafy roads and quaint shops are plenty of bars and restaurants, from cosy wine bars and delis to street food and viral pastries.
The atmosphere is calm and rich in history and culture - the perfect neighbourhood for walking from shop to cafe to gallery to bar with ease.
Above & Below: Discovering Bloomsbury's Hidden Side
Above: A New Perspective on Bloomsbury
It’s this rich history which creates a place so full with hidden gems and corners to linger. And where better to view them than from above - where the squares and the streets converge below you?
Arcus is Bloomsbury’s first and only rooftop bar, positioned so favourably that it’s not only the streets below that are in view, but the rest of the city beyond. With views from the City of London, to the London Eye and down to the Thames, Arcus sits at a vantage point that benefits from the low-rise buildings of Russell Square, providing near-360 views across the capital.
It’s this vantage point that really allows Bloomsbury-dwellers to see the contrast between the peaceful neighbourhood below and the busy city beyond. With no other rooftop bars in the area, these are really untouched views - a perspective that few visitors have ever experienced, now ready to be taken in with a glass of wine or cocktail in hand.
Arcus’ all-weather offering means it’s not just summer sunsets that will be enjoyed from this roof. Equipped for enjoyment all year round, Arcus lends itself to stargazing on a clear winter evening, or sipping a hot mulled wine on crisp Autumn nights. Even in the rain, Arcus’ glass canopy won’t stop guests from settling in amongst the trees to lament the typically British weather. These are skyline moments that shift from season to season, providing a new view each week - and with a menu of seasonal dishes to enjoy with them. With all-day dining available at Arcus, you can start the day above the green streets, and end it there too.
Bloomsbury's Stories: Where Literature, Culture and Community Meet
The culture-rich essence of Bloomsbury isn’t without its proof points. In fact, the history and heritage felt in the neighbourhood has hundreds of years on its side.
Blue plaques - which commemorate the homes or workplaces of notable people throughout history - are plentiful in the area, boasting previous locals of the likes of Virginia Woolf, John Maynard Keynes and Charles Dickens. Turn a corner and find an old dwelling of a prominent Bloomsbury Set figure; stand on the pavement and feel that a person of real significance stood there 200 years ago, looking at the same trees and sky as you do now.
The Lady Ottoline pub, for example, is named for the 20th century socialite who threw lavish parties and is thought to be the inspiration for the titular character in Lady Chatterley’s Lover by DH Lawrence.
It’s not solely the arts which flourished in Bloomsbury, but science and academia had their places too. Charles Darwin lived at Gower Street, Bloomsbury, and his former home is now a ULC Biological Sciences building, which is a fitting legacy for the 19th Century Scientist. The first woman dentist in Britain also resided in Bloomsbury, at 23 Russell Square. Being the first woman to qualify as a dentist in the UK - particularly in the 1890s - is a feat which paved the path for many women in science.
Below: Garden Squares, Hidden Corners and Local Discoveries
So how to take in all that Bloomsbury has to offer - the food, drink, history, shops, and overflowing culture? Here’s a whistle-stop Bloomsbury guide on foot.
Picture breakfast at Arcus, starting the day with a long sip of coffee and viewing the neighbourhood below. Then, as follows, make your way down to Russell Square, where Caffe Tropea awaits to offer you an ice cream for your morning stroll.
How and where you stroll is up to you - be it Marchmont Street with its cafes and delis, or up to Lamb’s Conduits Street to sample pastries at Honey & Co and shop the boutiques. Shrine to the Vine and Noble Rot are perfect for wine lovers, and WC is a tiny underground bar in a public toilet.
Across the other side of the neighbourhood is Bury Place, home to the London Review Bookshop and Pied Bull Yard. And last but certainly not least, Store Street with its restaurants, florists, supply shops and bars.
Finding a place rich with independent shops, where the shopkeepers take pride in their craft and their local area, with gardens on the doorstep and good conversation floating in and out of windows, is no mean feat - but to find all of this in central London is truly unique and should not be missed.
Finally, end the day back up in Arcus, spotting the streets where you’ve spent your day and winding down with a nightcap. Reminisce on the foods you’ve tasted, shops you’ve perused, and places you’ve seen, as London around you and below you settles into the evening.
Why The Imperial is the Neighbourhood Anchor
So where to stay for a perfectly placed trip to Bloomsbury?
Russell Square feels like the beating heart of the neighbourhood - a central point which naturally lends itself to exploration. Set to reopen in August 2026, The Imperial sits on the eastern side of the square, around the corner from Russell Square station and a ten to fifteen minute walk from the major train stations of King’s Cross, St Pancras and Euston. As a hotel, The Imperial is modern, elegant, design-led and luxurious. As a destination, it serves bespoke cocktails on the roof, a curated wine list, British-international small plates, and fresh coffee.
The entrance is tucked into a stunning courtyard - set back from the square enough to feel as though you’re entering a private haven. Peace, relaxation, comfort, but with easy access and sweeping central London views. This is a unique offering, providing the best of everything, with energy levels that move to your mood.
London's Secret Green Heart Awaits
Whilst the major tourist attractions certainly have their value, some of London’s most rewarding experiences are found on the quieter streets and in the city’s secret gardens. From above the trees or within them, Bloomsbury offers a side to London that only the locals get to experience.
FAQs
Why is Bloomsbury considered one of London's hidden gems?
Bloomsbury sits in Central London, close to all the major attractions, yet is relatively undiscovered. It has independent shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and more.
What are the best garden squares to visit in Bloomsbury?
Bloomsbury has many garden squares - larger ones like Russell Square and Coram Fields, and smaller ones like Queen’s Square Gardens and St George’s Gardens. All boast trees, benches, border pathways and close-by food and drink spots.
What is the best way to explore Bloomsbury on foot?
When exploring Bloomsbury on foot, allow yourself a loose schedule that allows your eyes to dictate where you go. Make sure to hit the best streets and roads - but with plenty of time for exploring.
What makes Bloomsbury different from other Central London neighbourhoods?
Bloomsbury is arguably the most rich in culture, and certainly has the most blue plaques. It remains a haven for independent shopping and quaint stores.