Spring has Sprung: What Bloomsbury Has to Offer Us
Image credit: Susan Allen via Flickr
Spring has arrived in London bringing longer evenings, blooming flowers and a fresh energy across the city. As winter fades, Londoners are beginning to spend more time outside, taking advantage of the brighter days and the first signs of new life. Since the reopening of UCL’s main quad, students have already begun moving their social lives outdoors, filling the portico steps and surrounding seating with activity. While London is famous for its large green space, it is important to know that the city has far more to offer than Hyde, Regents and Richmond Park. Around Bloomsbury, a plethora of smaller green spaces are perfect for study breaks, enjoying spring wildlife or a relaxing end to a busy day.
Closest to UCL’s main campus, Gordon Square and Tavistock Square offer a quick escape into nature between lectures. Although small, these spaces are just coming alive with magnolia trees and cherry blossoms, making them ideal for moments outdoors. Nearby is Bloomsbury Market, offering a range of food stalls every Wednesday and Thursday. A little further a field, lies Russel Square, a slightly larger park, where you can likely spot birds flying and squirrels darting across the grass, and is a great place for a picnic or a bought lunch at Caffe Tropea. The outdoor chess tables in the square, where pieces can be borrowed with a small refundable deposit, is a fun spot for some friendly competition. And when Russell Square becomes too busy, Bloomsbury Square Gardens is a slightly quieter alternative with similar charm.
Just a quick walk from campus, Cartwright Gardens features tennis courts available for booking, offering some gentle afternoon exercise. For a quieter retreat, Marchmont Community Garden is award-winning for a reason. Filled with shrubs, flowers and a beautiful Japanese maple tree, the garden is a unique, tranquil space, built by locals for locals. Another nearby gem is Queens Square Gardens, which has spacious grassy lawns perfect for games, activities or lounging. With statues and a rich history, it’s also an ideal spot for reading and writing, and a stop in the nearby Queen's Larder offers a cosy place to unwind afterwards. Tucked out of sight, Bramber Green can offer some interest as you move through the city, with its unusual climbing sculptures.
Beyond this but still within 20 minutes of UCL’s main campus, Brunswick Square Gardens offers a peaceful escape. The square is home to one of London’s oldest plane trees and, this spring, is bursting with tulips, daffodils and primroses. Volunteers from Friends of Brunswick Square help to maintain the garden and have enhanced its biodiversity by installing bird and bat boxes. On May 18th, the nearby Brunswick Centre will host Botanical Day, featuring free workshops led by gardening and botanical experts, plant and flower stalls and an opportunity for botanical drawing at the adjacent Brunswick Art Gallery. The Brunswick area can offer both a quiet moment among the gardens to relax or a lively space to interact and socialise, depending on your preference.
For a more structured and community-focused outing, the Association of Bloomsbury Squares and Gardens offers free wellbeing walks that explore several of the neighbourhood’s green spaces. Led by knowledgeable experts, these one-hour strolls offer an opportunity to discover the history, wildlife and flora of each location, whilst also allowing connection with others who share a love of the outdoors.
Spring in Bloomsbury has lots to offer and gives the perfect opportunity for a break from lectures and studying. From peaceful corners to larger spaces for socialising and organised events, the area around UCL’s main campus is packed with lesser-known green spaces that are waiting to be enjoyed.