Russell Square Bloomsbury London

London Parks: Russell Square

Historic Russell Square

Russell Square, located in the Bloomsbury district of central London near the British Museum and London University is a large, historic city park (square) dating back to the early 19th century. It is London's second largest square after Cadogan Place. It covers about 2.5 hectares.

Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London, UK. — Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London

History

Russell Square dates from 1804 on land owned by the wealthy local landowners, the Russell family, the Earls and Dukes of Bedford.

They in turn agree public access and management by Camden Council - one of the 12 Inner London boroughs.

It was begun by the fifth Duke and became the largest square in London at the time, larger than Grosvenor Square. The houses surrounding the square were by builder James Burton (1761-1837).

A number of famous men and women have lived or worked in and around the square. These include the poet T S Eliot who worked at the Faber & Faber publishers, a building now owned by the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). A plaque now marks the building.

Other literary connections include the square being mentioned in the novels of William Thackeray (Vanity Fair) and Virginia Woolf. Poets William Cowper (1731-1800) and Thomas Gray (1716-71) also both lived for a while in the square

At the northwest corner is a historic, green cabmen's shelter one of only 13 that still survive in London. It dates from 1897. Cabmen's shelter were originally built for Hackney carriage drivers to get a cup of tea (strictly no alcohol) and are now used by motorized taxi drivers.

Russell Square in Bloomsbury, central London, UK. — The lawns and trees of the historic park

Layout

The park has a central plaza and water feature.

There are also areas of lawns and several planted borders.

Numerous benches provide a place to relax, London, UK. — Numerous benches provide a place to relax

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

Notable residents of Russell Square. — Notable residents of Russell Square

Cafes

There is a cafe in the northeast corner of the park serving refreshments. Caffè Tropea is open daily from 7 am to 6 pm on weekdays and from 8 am on weekends. It's a London cafe with an Italian attitude run by the Tropea family.

Nearby

There are several interesting places to visit near Russell Square including a couple of historic churches. In Gordon Square is Euston Church (Church of Christ the King).

The church dates from the mid-19th century for the Catholic Apostolic Church. From 1963 to 1994, it was known as the University Church of Christ the King. It served the Anglican Chaplaincy to the Universities and Colleges of the Diocese of London with many of the congregation being students from nearby halls of residence.

Russell Square, London, UK. — The square covers an area of 2.5 hectares

Also nearby towards Euston Station is the St Pancras New Church, built in the Greek revival style between 1819 and 1822. It is a Grade I listed building and constructed from brick, faced with Portland stone.

Gordon Square and Tavistock Square are two smaller garden squares north of Russell Square.

Bust of the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore. — Bust of the Indian poet and Nobel winner Rabindranath Tagore in Gordon Square

Hotels

This area of London is one of the most popular places to stay in the capital. As well as the iconic Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel (formerly the Hotel Russell) there is a cluster of some of London's largest hotels in the district. These include the three-star Royal National, the President Hotel and the Grange White Hall Hotel.

See a listing of hotels near the British Museum.

The Russell Hotel (now known as the Kimpton Fitzroy) is a late 19th-century hotel. — Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel

Access

Russell Square
London WC1B 5EH
Tel: 020 7974 4444

Hours

Open 7.30 am to 10 pm.

The nearest tube station to Russell Square is Russell Square on the Piccadilly Line, a 5-minute walk away. Euston Station to the north is a 15-minute walk away.

The following London buses are convenient for Russell Square.

The 59 bus from Telford Avenue to Euston Bus Station via Brixton and Lambeth North tube stations runs along Woburn Place on the eastern edge of Russell Square. The 68 from West Norwood Station to Euston Bus Station also stops at Russell Square. In addition, the 91 (Tottenham Lane to Trafalgar Square/Whitehall), N91 and 168 (Royal Free Hospital/Old Kent Road via Waterloo) also stop here.