Join us on our second guided walk introducing Bloomsbury and the forces that have shaped its identity, from its beginnings in the grounds of an grand aristocratic house, through the building of Georgian streets on the surrounding fields, the establishment of one of the world’s great museums and the growth of a sprawling university, right up to the attempt to give it a 21st-century rebrand as “midtown”.

Starting at Pushkin House and Bloomsbury Square, right on our doorstep, the tour weaves a route through six more of the many squares the area is known for, ending at nearby Red Lion Square. It tells the story of how Bloomsbury developed as a distinctive part of the city, providing a home to the rich and not so rich; lawyers, politicians, architects, theatre people, philanthropists, foundlings and students; the writers and artists of the Bloomsbury Group; and rioters, outsiders and religious dissenters. Along the way we’ll discover the area’s beautiful Georgian housing, notable listed buildings and striking 20th-century designs, as well as some fascinating facts about its varied and sometimes violent history.

Debbie Kent is a graduate of Open City’s Golden Key tour guide training and has led numerous walks and tours in London for artists, students and members of the public. A writer and artist, she has a special interest in urban development, place-making and regeneration, as well as sensory walks in the city; she leads regular urban soundwalks and has run workshops on sensory mapping and other map-making strategies.

5a Bloomsbury Square London WC1A 2TA