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.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 16.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
Known at The Colonnade: dating back to the 19th century, learn about The Horse Hospital a stabling for cab drivers sick horses.
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
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Excurgo comparison of 4,765 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Bloomsbury Uncovered: Literary Giants & Hidden Secrets lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 10 stops.
Prices start at $27 per person for this London experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, starting at 11:00 AM.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is 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. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 24 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Maxine's Walking Tours.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
A tour not to be missed!!! The Bloomsbury area is rich in history and our guide, Maxine, was incredibly knowledgeable. She was an absolute delight- it was so wonderful talking with her and learning so much about the area and London as a whole. A highlight of our vacation!! Thank you, Maxine!
It was a delightful and informative introduction to Bloomsbury. Very good value for the time and money.
What a fabulous Sunday morning tour! Maxine’s enthusiasm for the area and extensive knowledge along with her vibrant personality made this a memorable tour. Historical references , book and pod cast recommendations …. We have learnt so much! A wonderful two and a half hours you will not be disappointed. Thank you !
I’m so glad I did this tour. The guide (Maxine) was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. There is no way I could have got so much fascinating history from a guidebook or wandering on my own. It was a fantastic orientation to the area where I am staying for several days. I had no idea of the area’s vital importance to the health and welfare of children historically and currently. I also loved learning about the architectural history which led me to pay close attention when walking in this area and try to imagine how it looked in the past.
Maxine was a fantastic guide! Thoroughly recommend her tours
This is a great tour and Maxine is a superlative guide. Bloomsbury is both lovely and historic. All flat tour (except for a few steps), so it's easy to negotiate. Maxine is not only knowledgeable but also a great story teller. You cannot appreciate the history of Bloomsbury without doing this tour. Highly recommended!
Maxine was a very knowledgeable, inspiring and friendly guide. She was generous with her time and knowledge and I highly recommend her.
An excellent walk and explore. We discovered some amazing unknown places in the middle of London. Maxine was a wonderful guide.
Maxine is a wonderful guide. She is very knowledgeable about Bloomsbury, but also the greater London area. She was able to bring the past of life in a sensible, engaging experience. She’s very personable and loves people and sharing her life experiences as well as the wonderful stories that Bloomsbury has to offer.
I am so happy to hear that you had a lovely time on the tour. It was so nice meeting the both of you and I look forward to seeing you again next time you are in London. Thank you for the kind words
Fabulous tour - very informative and delivered by Maxine in a really entertaining way. I learnt so much and really enjoyed the whole experience. Highly recommended.
I am so glad to hear that you had a great time, it was so nice meeting you and thank you for the great review.
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomsbury Uncovered: Literary Giants & Hidden Secrets | 2 hours | 5.0 (24) | $27 | |
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