Acquiring your perfect abode in Central London can present a number of difficulties and disadvantages. The hustle and bustle of Westminster might be quite appealing for some but others may prefer to be somewhere a little quieter and a bit more removed.
These people might consider Bloomsbury as an alternative to inner city living. It would be far from correct to call it a suburb of London, but this fashionable residential area does have a timelessness about it coupled with its own unique atmosphere that makes it feel very different to your usual London location.
Home to some of the capital's finest institutes - including Great Ormond Street Hospital, the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, the British Museum, the Royal Academy for Dramatic Art and the School of Oriental and African Studies - it's also an ideal place for inquiring minds. Read on to gain more of idea of whether this could be your perfect stomping ground.
Location
Bloomsbury is in the London borough of Camden and roughly covers the area between Euston Road and Holborn. Character-wise, the area is known for being one of the greenest locations in all of London, with a high proportion of fine parks and squares. These include Coram's Fields, Queen Square and perhaps most famously Russell Square.
Building-wise, if you're looking for a house in Bloomsbury, you probably have Georgian tastes as many of the homes and architecture date from that era. Prepare yourself for flats, mansion flats and moderate prices for such a close proximity to Central London - average rentals per week start from £270 but go all the way up to £1,350, so there's a wide range on the market here.
Culture
You won't run out of things to do in Bloomsbury. Quite apart from its connections to various prestigious institutes, its abundance of green spaces makes it one of the most pleasant places to take a stroll on a summer day. If you're something of a traditional culture vulture, you could probably spend a week in the British Museum and not run out of things to look at. A single visit can contain anything from Egyptian mummies to Lewis chessmen and it's entirely free.
The area is also home to dozens of theatres and smaller museums, as well as the British library and its Reading Room. You'll find the Great Museum of Zoology and the Petrie Museum in Gower Street, Dickens Museum in Doughty Street. Add to this the three notable churches supporting the area - St George's Church, St Pancras New Church and the Early English Neo-Gothic Church of Christ the King on Gordon Square - and you've got a location that should keep any self-respecting culture enthusiast happy for years.
Eating and drinking
Fancy a pint at the local? Don't want to do the washing up this evening? Living in Bloomsbury, you won't have to venture into Central London to find such things. Whether you prefer to sup cider from a bustling bar or prefer a pint observing the local tourist activity Bloomsbury can provide.
Estates IT can heartily recommend All Star Lanes in Bloomsbury Place if you fancy an American-style night out, including bowling and a slap-up meal. For a more active night out, head to 55 Club on New Oxford Street. The venue has recently been refurbished and rebranded and has quickly become established as the place to encounter celebrities on Fridays and Saturdays. Expect weekly press coverage, a glamorous vibe and a dress code to match. Alternatively, venture into Lamb if you're seeking out a cheeky after-work drink. This famously unspoilt Victorian pub is full of character and atmosphere and is recommended by the Good Pub Guide.
All very well for alcoholic beverages then, but what about taking the missus or the mister out for dinner? Antayla on Southampton Row does an excellent Turkish menu at a very reasonable price, while Italian fanatics have more than enough on their plate with Amarcord and ASK on Southampton Row and Grafton Way respectively. If you're looking to try something a little more adventurous, head over to Abeno on Museum Street for fabulously fishy Japanese dining. Or if you're after something a bit closer to home, Blue Street Bistro serves up good old-fashioned British dishes just as well as Mum used to make, if not a tiny bit better. People who enjoy French, Thai, American, Korean and Mediterranean cuisine will also find restaurants to suit throughout Bloomsbury.
Transport
Situated, as it is, a stone's throw away from Covent Garden in the heart of London, Bloomsbury has excellent access to almost any form of transportation you care to name, with the possible exception of the camel. Served by a plethora of Tube Stations - Goodge Street, Warren Street, Euston Square, Tottenham Court Road, Holborn and Russell Square - you'll find all of London's major lines are accessible. Rail travellers will be more than satisfied with the triple services of London Euston, London St Pancras and Kings Cross, which can have you as far in Scotland or France in a few hours. South-bound travellers have a short Tube journey or a minor walk through Covent Garden to Charing Cross where trains to Kent and the south of England depart.
A green city haven
All of this adds up to a pleasant, cultural area with plenty of green space and some fine housing. Particularly for those who love their literary connections, Bloomsbury is a fine place to live for those who adore Central London but want something different from the traditional view of narrow streets and housing above shops. A truly excellent area.
