Bloomsbury Uncovered: Literary Giants & Hidden Secrets
At a glance
Bloomsbury Uncovered: Literary Giants & Hidden Secrets is a 2h small-group experience in London, United Kingdom, operated by Maxine's Walking Tours. Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 24 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $26.92 per person, and free cancellation is available. Included: Guide.
Highlights
- Small group of up to 15 people for a more personal experience
- Free cancellation for flexible planning
- 10 stops in one well-planned itinerary
- Wheelchair accessible
Quick facts
- Duration
- 2h
- Group
- Small group, up to 15 travellers
- Languages
- English
- Pickup
- Meet at the start point
- Confirmation
- Instant confirmation
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation (see policy)
Overview
What if the most fascinating stories in London aren't in any guidebook?
Bloomsbury's elegant Georgian squares and hidden cobbled mews conceal extraordinary tales that most visitors walk straight past. On this tour, Maxine, a lifelong Londoner and passionate storyteller pulls back the curtain on one of London's most interesting neighbourhoods.
You'll discover the hospital that changed how the world treats its children, stand outside the home of Virginia Woolf, and visit the church where Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath were married.
You'll hear how J. M. Barrie's most famous creation saved thousands of children's lives, uncover the secrets of a grand hotel with a little-known connection to the Titanic, and meet the Victorian philanthropists who quietly changed the world from these very streets.
Every stop reveals a different layer of Bloomsbury: The authors, the activists and the hidden histories that no guidebook will ever tell you.
What's included
What's included
- Guide
Itinerary
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Stop 1 · 5m
Our first stop is at the Fitzroy Hotel, formally the Russell Hotel. Learn all about this beautiful Victorian building and it's stories linking it to the Titanic.
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Stop 2 · 5m
Set amongst Georgian terraces and independent shops and cafés, with an array of blue plaques overhead, stare down at the pavement and you’ll discover hidden trinkets symbolising the tokens mothers once left behind when handing their babies over to the Foundling Hospital.
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Stop 3 · 5m
Hear the story of how, in 1739, Thomas Coram—a sea captain and philanthropist—obtained a Royal Charter and established the Foundling Hospital for abandoned children living on the streets.
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Stop 4 · 5m
Queen Square was laid out in the 1700s and was built for the rich and powerful. Learn how all the residential buildings slowly turned into hospitals and how it ties into the madness of King George III
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Stop 5 · 5m
Lamb’s Conduit Street is described as a charming, pedestrian‑friendly historic street dating back to Tudor times, renowned for its Georgian architecture, independent boutiques, and village‑like atmosphere.
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Stop 6 · 5m
Today, Doughty Mews is a picturesque, cobbled lane lined with million‑pound townhouses, but it began life as housing for the horses and servants of the wealthy families who lived on the neighbouring street.
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Stop 7 · 5m
In 1739, Thomas Coram obtained a royal charter and established a hospital for abandoned children who were living in the streets as their mothers were unable to care for them.
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Stop 8 · 5m
Hear how this square got its name, and learn all about the famous residents who lived around the square and a scandalous court case that involved the King!
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Stop 9 · 5m
Known at The Colonnade: dating back to the 19th century, learn about The Horse Hospital a stabling for cab drivers sick horses.
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Stop 10 · 5m
Hear the heartbreaking story of how the hospital was founded by Charles West who was appalled by the child mortality in the Victorian era and its links to Peter Pan
Meeting point
Please arrive 10-15 mins before the tour starts. Please look for me outside the station, I will be wearing a guide badge and holding an iPad.
Good to know
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Bloomsbury Uncovered: Literary Giants & Hidden Secrets take?
The experience lasts about 2h.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $26.92 per person. The final price depends on the date, time and number of travellers, and is confirmed on Viator before you pay.
What's included?
Guide.
Where does it start?
Please arrive 10-15 mins before the tour starts. Please look for me outside the station, I will be wearing a guide badge and holding an iPad.
Can I cancel?
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is guided in English.
Is it worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 24 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor, which places it among the top-rated experiences in London.
