Explore the Best of Bloomsbury and Central London

Few LSE halls can boast surroundings as impressive as those of Passfield Hall. Located in the heart of leafy Bloomsbury, for many years the centre of London's leading academic and literary circles, student residents are in easy reach of an array of historically interesting sites and experiences. Below is a guide to just a sample of what students can enjoy in the area - all within walking distance!

1.  The British Museum

• Distance from Passfield Hall: 10 minutes (Google Maps location)
• FREE entry

The British Museum, just a short walk from Passfield Hall, is amongst the world's most famous museums. This splendid neoclassical building holds an enormous range of artefacts from every corner of the globe, spanning several thousands of years of history. Some of its most famous treasures include the Rosetta Stone, which allowed researchers to translate ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic writing for the first time, and the Elgin Marbles, a collection of ancient Greek sculptures from the Parthenon. The Museum recently opened its magnificent Reading Room, once frequented by the likes of Marx and Gandhi, to visitors. Given the sheer size of its collection, there is something to cater for all interests - with free entry, this makes for the perfect excuse to get out of the library.

2. Bloomsbury and the Bloomsbury Group 

• Distance from Passfield Hall: in the area (Google Maps area)

Bloomsbury claims a long history as an intellectual and literary hub in the heart of central London. In the early 20th century, it was home to the Bloomsbury Group - a set of influential writers, artists, and intellectuals, including Virginia Woolf, E.M. Forster (author of A Room With a View), and John Maynard Keynes. Their former residences and meeting spots around can still be seen today, and many carry blue plaques as a sign of their historical significance. Why not take a short stroll around the area's Georgian squares for a sense of Bloomsbury's unique intellectual legacy? 

3. The Charles Dickens Museum

• Distance from Passfield Hall: just under 20 minutes (Google Maps location)
• Entry fee: (student) £10.50

This Georgian townhouse was, for a brief two-year period between 1837-39, home to famous Victorian author Charles Dickens, and it was here that he wrote and published Oliver Twist! Now preserved as a museum, the house provides insight into Dickens's life and times, showcasing period furniture, manuscripts, and an assortment of personal belongings. The museum offers a rare, detailed look at how life in Victorian London shaped Dickens's writing, and sheds light on the social issues and themes explored in his classic novels. For those interested in life in 1830s London, or Dickens more generally, it is well-worth a visit.

4. Theatreland and Covent Garden

• Distance from Passfield Hall: 20 minutes 

Slightly further afield are Covent Garden and the streets which surround it - 'Theatreland'. These offer a refreshing mixture of history and entertainment, with regular shows on at venues such as the Royal Opera House and the Lyceum Theatre. Originally a 17th century fruit and vegetable market, Covent Garden is now also a very popular shopping and entertainment district - a great choice for something to do on the weekend (and with it only minutes away from Trafalgar Square, why not pay a visit to the National Gallery too?).

5. The British Library

• Distance from Passfield Hall: 10 minutes (Google Maps location)

Next to Euston, and just a short walk away from Passfield, the British Library makes for both a perfect alternative study spot and a brilliant visit in its own right. The Library houses some of the most significant historical documents worldwide - including a host of maps, books, and government papers - and in the Sir John Ritblat Gallery, visitors can look at Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks, Shakespeare’s First Folio, and two of the four surviving 1215 Magna Carta! For those simply looking for a change of study scenery, students can register for a reader pass, granting access to collections and resources that support all areas of study. 

6. The Wellcome Collection 

• Distance from Passfield Hall: less than 5 minutes (Google Maps Location)
• FREE entry

For the more scientifically minded, the Wellcome Collection - right on Passfield's doorstep - provides an opportunity to look at the assorted items collected by prolific pharmaceutical entrepreneur Sir Henry Wellcome. The Collection explores themes around medicine, health, and the human experience, boasting a range of items from ancient medical instruments and prosthetics to anatomical models and early scientific illustrations. The Medicine Man exhibition, for example, showcases highlights from Wellcome’s personal collection, including a Peruvian mummified body, amputation saws, and even Napoleon’s toothbrush. The building includes the Wellcome Library, which contains over 2.5 million books, journals, and manuscripts focused on medical and scientific history.

Get out and explore

Students at Passfield are fortunate to live in an area which is enormously rich in culture and history, with an enormous amount to see and do. These are just a small flavour of the activities available in the area; whether you're a lover of art, literature, or simply Georgian architecture, you won't regret getting about and exploring what the neighbourhood has to offer! 

Daniel

Passfield Hall resident