Living in London

Small parks and cafés around High Holborn/campus

By ResLifeSubwardenCentral 13 Feb 2023

Need some fresh air around High Holborn? Here are my tips on where to go, especially when the sun is out!

1. Russell Square and Caffè Tropea

Russell Square is great in almost all weather. They light up the walkways with lightbulbs at dusk, have an interesting water fountain in the middle, and, the best bit, a very good cafe! Caffè Tropea has excellent customer service and a traditional feel to it along with a very wide range of dishes. I'd recommend a good meal and then a takeway coffee to stand in the park and enjoy the sun - the park gets much better light than many streets around the area!

Autumn is here | Caffè Tropea, Russell Square Gardens, Bloom… | It's No Game | Flickr

2. Gordon Square and Momo's Garden Café

Gordon Square Gardens, London Borough of Camden, WC1 | Flickr

A short walk from Russell Square is a small park that appears unassuming as you walk past. However, its very good! There are plenty of benches and a small, quirky hut that hosts Momo's Garden Café with nice seating outside. The coffee has always been very good there. Again, it gets a lot of sun - can you see a theme!?

3. Dillons Coffee in Waterstones, Gower Street

Waterstone's book shop. | Gower Street, Bloomsbury. Grade 1 … | Flickr

A very good coffee spot is tucked inside Waterstone's on Gower Street. Dillons Coffee is usually always full of people sat at the windows working and chatting and provides free non-diary milk! They also provide different roasts at no extra cost and are worth exploring. You can always get a coffee here and then walk to Russell Square or Gordon Square. Prices are relatively cheap, too.

4. Lincoln Inn Fields and a small coffee truck

Lincoln's Inn Fields, London | History & Visiting Information

I should not have to explain Lincoln Inn Fields to LSE students but this is obviously a nice green space. Perhaps less known, however, is the small coffee truck in the North East corner of the park. A full coffee machine is fixed to the back of a small truck and serves good coffee. Whilst there, another relatively unknown place is the Sir John Soane's Museum. Imagine a wealthy man has travelled the world and collected quirky items, decided to put them all in one place, and then opened up his collection to the public...that's basically this museum! If you like it, also visit The Wallace Collection in London for a similar vibe.

Glen

Subwarden, LSE High Holborn