The best bits about Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury is the intellectual capital of London, surrounded by prestigious universities like UCL, Kings College and LSE. With its beautiful Georgian architecture and leafy squares, the area is just bursting with bookish charm. It’s also right in the city centre, within easy walking distance of Covent Garden, Oxford Street and Leicester Square, along with the iconic West End theatre district. Whether you’re soaking up the arts and culture or tucking into world-class cuisine, you’ll never go bored in Blooms. Here are some of the top things to do near Scape Bloomsbury.

Cafés

If you need a creative buzz, coffee shops are it. Sip a latte, have a slice of cake, and let your imagination run free. Here are some of the best coffee shops in Bloomsbury for your daily fix. Grab your assignments and get cosy, or ditch the books and enjoy a little downtime, it’s up to you. Caffé Tropea is a breezy spot right in the heart of Russell Square gardens. Pop in for a full English breakfast and a breath of fresh air or head to The Espresso Room for a quick pick-me-up between classes. It’s only a small coffee bar, but it’s known to pack a punch. For something a little more indulgent, Café Le Cordon Bleu is a Parisian-style café serving up all sorts of scrumptious pastries and tarts, and Drury 188-189 does exceptional French toast and flat whites. We also love Fortitude Bakehouse and Moreish Café Deli just around the corner. 

Bars and Clubs

Whether you're celebrating the end of exams or just need a break from your books, Bloomsbury has loads of cool bars and clubs for a fun night out. For an immersive cocktail experience, Hokus Pokus alchemy lab has all sorts of trendy, experimental flavours to tickle your tastebuds. Inspired by tarot cards, Bloomsbury Club Bar will reveal your hidden emotions to serve you just the right cocktail. Sip on Moon Milk to summon success or try Persian Mist to lift your spirits. There’s also live music nights and light bites. If it’s an activity bar you’re after, don’t miss Flight Club. You can throw some darts and enjoy a round of drinks at the show stopping carousel bar. Swingers Crazy Golf and Sixes Social Cricket are also great fun. If you prefer to hit the dance floor, head to Bar Rumba for epic theme parties and drink specials or let loose at Scala, with 3 bars, 2 dance floors and some of the best club and live music nights in London.

Pubs

Catch up with your mates or make some new ones. There’s something about the laidback feel of a pub that makes it easy to strike up conversations and enjoy carefree student days. The College Arms is a quirky pub bringing you the best bottomless brunch and ‘Crafternoon tea’ with seriously good sliders and craft beers. For open mic and trivia nights, pull up a seat at the Marlborough Arms or enjoy live sports and hearty pub grub at Friend at Hand. If you’re a fan of literature, you can pop into The Fitzroy Tavern and raise a pint in the same place famous writers and poets like George Orwell and Dylan Thomas did. You might even feel inspired to scribble down some poetic writings of your own.  

Restaurants

With a central location comes loads of excellent places to eat. Circolo Popolare is an over-the-top Italian trattoria. From pasta served in a pecorino cheese wheel to XXL lemon pies, everything on the menu packs a punch. Try a bit of everything. With grazing platters, cheese boards and a huge selection of wines, Amelie’s Wine House is a cosy spot for a long, laidback lunch with friends – South of France style. You can nibble on edamame and sling back some sake at Flesh and Buns. Their salmon teriyaki bao buns are scrumptious and so are the smores, toasted at your table over hot stones. If you enjoy a bit of theatre, Abeno cooks up fantastic savoury pancakes right in front of you. If you haven’t tried okonomiyaki before, this is your sign. Some other popular options include Flat Iron for outstanding steak, Dishoom for the best Indian food in London and  The Ninth if it’s a Michelin Star that gets your mouth watering. You can also hop on a short bus ride to Carnaby Street in Soho, famous for its trendy eateries and electric nightlife or Chinatown for delicious, affordable Asian cuisine all the way from dim sum to matcha sundaes.  

London Attractions

Bloomsbury is super central, which means you're just a skip away from many world-famous attractions. You may never have enough time to see and do everything in the capital city, but you can have a fab time trying. Take a stroll along the River Thames at South Bank and admire the views over Big Ben and St Paul’s Cathedral or stop off at the London Eye and take a ride on the giant Ferris wheel for 360 views over the city. If you’re a fan of the Royal Family, head over to Buckingham Palace for a mandatory photo at the palace gates and see if you can catch a glimpse of the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Other London attractions include Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square, and the Tower of London. If you’re a film lover, you can take a wander around famous movie locations like Notting Hill or Camden Town. You’re also just around the corner from the spectacular West End where you can get tickets to world-famous musicals and plays at extravagant venues like the Lyceum or Apollo Theatre.  

Outdoor Spaces

Despite its central location, Bloomsbury has some of the best parks and gardens in London. Grab your mates, pack some snacks and head to Russel Square. It’s one of largest green spaces in Bloomsbury with lovely flowerbeds and a central fountain, perfect for some fresh air between classes. You can get lost in a book or watch the squirrels at play in Tavistock Square Gardens. With Pret nearby and lots of benches, it’s the perfect spot for a lunch break. Just one street down, you’ll find Gordons Square. Surrounded by beautiful, tall trees you’ll feel like you’re a world away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. There’s also a cute garden kiosk serving up delicious coffee and cakes. Elsewhere, Regent’s Park is the closest Royal Park to Scape, boasting London’s biggest outdoor sports area - from football and rugby to cricket and lacrosse. You can admire the Queen Mary Rose Garden, relax by the pond, or enjoy a picnic with friends. If you’re up for a walk, we recommend hiking to the top of Primrose Hill for incredible views over the London skyline.  

Arts and Culture

Bloomsbury has some of the best museums and galleries in the world, with regular exhibitions to get lost in. Admission is usually free, meaning you can spend a whole day exploring ancient artefacts and admiring popular artworks without breaking the bank. Home to the Rosetta Stone, mummies from Ancient Egypt, and other treasures from human history, The British Museum attracts students and tourists from all over the world. Just a short walk away, The British Library has one of the biggest collections of books in the world. Pop in for research or somewhere quiet to study. You can also swing by the Charles Dickens Museum for a glimpse into the life and works of the iconic author or laugh out loud in the quirky Cartoon Museum showcasing the best of British cartoons and comics. If you're an art lover, the Brunswick Art Gallery has a constantly changing display and is a wonderful day out. You’re also within easy reach of the multi-award-winning Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, and the Royal Opera House renowned for its outstanding opera and ballet.

Shopping

From food and fashion to homeware and tech, everything you need is right by Scape. There’s a Tesco just around the corner where you can grab your weekly groceries, along with a Lidl just a 10 min walk away. The most famous shopping street in the world, Oxford Street is nearby meaning you’ll always be close to end of season sales. From high-end designer outlets like Harrods to iconic department stores like Selfridges and John Lewis, whatever you need you can find it here. Just make sure you wear some comfy trainers as there’ll be lots of walking. What better way to smash your step goals and spoil yourself all at the same time! 

Getting Around

If you’re going to university in London, Scape Bloomsbury is a fantastic location to live in as it’s close to many world-leading universities like UCL, Kings College and LSE. It’s also just a short walk to Birkbeck, SOAS and the University of London so you’ll never be late for class. Being in a central location means it’s super easy to get around. Hop on a tube, take a bus, or jump on a river boat along the Thames, it’s up to you. There are several London Underground stations within a 10 min walk from Scape including Russel Square, Holborn, and Goodge Street. There are also multiple bus routes right on your doorstep. If you’re keen to travel abroad or visit friends and family over the term holidays, Kings Cross St Pancras station is just a 12 min walk away with direct train links across the UK and Europe. It’s also just an hour to London Gatwick and Heathrow airport. 

Student Accommodation in Bloomsbury

Enjoy being a student in the best city in the world. Scape Bloomsbury has a 4.6-star Google rating and hundreds of rave reviews. There’s no need to wake up extra early to get to your classes, we’re just a short walk to several major uni’s, including UCL and Kings College and less than 5 mins from the nearest tube station so it’s really easy to get around. At Scape, your rent includes all utilities and bills so you can relax and have fun without worrying about any costly surprises. You can stay with friends in a shared apartment or have a studio all to yourself, it’s totally up to you. All our rooms come with comfy double beds, ensuite bathrooms, and ample storage space. Plus, our onsite gym, cinema and study spaces are yours to enjoy anytime you like. From Friday night socials to yoga classes and dinner parties, there’s always something fun to look forward to at Scape Bloomsbury.  

To book a room, call +44 (0)2045718133 or drop us a message via live chat.