Bloomsbury, Cultural district in central London, United Kingdom
Bloomsbury is a district in central London, nestled between the Thames riverbank and the large railway stations to the north. It combines tree-lined squares, wide residential streets and university buildings that create a calm setting even though the city center lies just a few minutes away on foot.
In the 17th century, the Russell family acquired the land and began laying out squares and streets following geometric patterns. Building continued through the 19th century, when terraced houses and academic institutions shaped the appearance of the district.
The name comes from the medieval manor of the de Blemond family, which stood here in the 13th century. The neighborhood contains streets whose yellow and red brick facades still recall Georgian building practices today.
Visitors exploring the area usually start at one of the underground stops and then walk through the squares, as distances are short. Most streets run straight, making orientation easy, and public gardens offer a chance to rest along the way.
The Bloomsbury Group, a community of writers and artists, lived and worked in several houses around the squares during the early 20th century. Their informal meetings often took place in living rooms where they discussed new ideas about literature and philosophy.
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