Bedford Square Gardens
London's finest Georgian square: 250 years of architectural perfection and cultural prestige in Bloomsbury.
Bedford Square is London's finest and most complete Georgian square, built between 1775 and 1780 in the heart of Bloomsbury. Designed by architect Thomas Leverton, this architectural masterpiece features 53 Grade I listed townhouses arranged in symmetrical palace-fronted terraces surrounding a private central garden. Once home to prominent physicians, merchants, lawyers, and notable figures like Lord Chancellor Lord Eldon and scientist Henry Cavendish, the square now houses cultural institutions and offices. The beautifully maintained garden features mature London plane trees, herbaceous borders, and a restored summerhouse, accessible to the public during Open Garden Squares Weekend each June.
A brief summary to Bedford Square Gardens
- Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3HH, GB
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Monday 8 am-9 pm
- Tuesday 8 am-9 pm
- Wednesday 8 am-9 pm
- Thursday 8 am-9 pm
- Friday 8 am-9 pm
- Saturday 8 am-9 pm
- Sunday 8 am-9 pm
Local tips
- Visit during Open Garden Squares Weekend in June to access the private central garden, which is otherwise closed to the public. The gardens feature mature London plane trees, herbaceous borders, and a restored summerhouse.
- Study the distinctive Coade-stone door surrounds and wrought-iron balconies on each facade—these original Georgian details have survived remarkably intact for over 240 years and showcase exceptional craftsmanship.
- Look for the blue plaques adorning the buildings, which mark the homes of notable residents including Lord Chancellor Lord Eldon, scientist Henry Cavendish, and anti-slavery activist Elizabeth Jesser Reid.
- Combine your visit with nearby attractions: the British Museum is directly adjacent, and Bloomsbury Square and Russell Square are within easy walking distance, forming a remarkable concentration of Georgian garden squares.
- Visit early morning or late afternoon for the best light and fewer crowds, as the square is now primarily occupied by offices and cultural institutions rather than residential tenants.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Seating Areas
- Picnic Areas
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Underground Train
Tottenham Court Road Underground station is a 4-minute walk from Bedford Square. The station serves the Northern and Central lines, providing direct connections across London. Journey times vary by destination, typically 10–30 minutes to central London areas. Standard TfL fares apply based on zones travelled.
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Bus
Multiple bus routes serve Great Russell Street, a 4-minute walk from the square. Routes 7, 8, 19, 25, 38, 55, 59, 98, and others connect to major London destinations. Journey times range from 15–45 minutes depending on route and destination. Standard TfL bus fares apply (typically £1.75 for a single journey within London).
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National Rail Train
London Euston railway station is approximately 20 minutes' walk from Bedford Square, offering connections to destinations across the UK. Alternatively, King's Cross St Pancras station is a 15-minute walk away. Train fares vary significantly by destination and advance booking; typical regional journeys cost £15–60.
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Bicycle
A TfL Santander Cycles hire station is located at Store Street, approximately 5 minutes' walk from Bedford Square. Membership options include daily passes (£2 for 24 hours) plus usage fees (typically £1.50 per 30 minutes). The square is situated on relatively flat terrain within Bloomsbury's walkable street network.
Bedford Square Gardens location weather suitability
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Any Weather
Discover more about Bedford Square Gardens
A Georgian Triumph of Urban Planning
Bedford Square stands as London's finest and most complete Georgian square, a remarkable achievement in 18th-century urban design. Built between 1775 and 1780, the square was conceived as part of the Bedford Estate's ambitious development of Bloomsbury, an area owned by the Dukes of Bedford since the 17th century. Architect Thomas Leverton, working alongside builders William Scott and Robert Grews, created a unified masterpiece that set the standard for London's garden squares for generations to come. The square's 53 townhouses are arranged in four symmetrical palace-fronted terraces, each side treated as a single architectural unit despite comprising individual dwellings. This innovative approach, where rows of terraced houses were designed to resemble a single grand country mansion, became known as Leverton's distinctive 'palace front' style. The square was the first garden square in London to impose complete architectural uniformity, a principle that would influence countless squares throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Every house features plain brick facades with wrought-iron balconies to the first-floor windows, while the central house on each side is distinguished by stucco work, a pediment, and pilastered five-bay centre. The doors throughout the square are decorated with Coade stone, a durable artificial stone that has weathered centuries with remarkable elegance. All 54 houses hold Grade I listed status, representing one of the most intact survivals of Georgian London.Residents of Distinction and Cultural Significance
From its inception, Bedford Square attracted London's professional elite—successful physicians, merchants, lawyers, and prominent public figures. Lord Eldon, Lord High Chancellor of England, resided at number 6 from 1800 to 1819, his presence lending considerable prestige to the address. Henry Cavendish, the pioneering scientist credited with the discovery of hydrogen, made his home here, as did the anti-slavery activist Elizabeth Jesser Reid, who founded the first higher education establishment for women in the country within the square's walls. William Butterfield, the renowned architect, and H.H. Asquith, who would become Prime Minister, also counted themselves among Bedford Square's distinguished residents. Today, the square continues its tradition of cultural importance, housing institutions such as Sotheby's Institute of Art, Yale University Press, and the New College for Humanities, transforming the historic townhouses into vibrant centres of learning and artistic endeavour.The Central Garden: A Landscape of Evolving Beauty
The private central garden, enclosed by pre-war iron railings of distinctive elliptical formation, represents an equally significant achievement in landscape design. Originally laid out as a relatively simple pleasure ground with a perimeter walk, the garden underwent dramatic transformation in 1874 when Francis Russell, the ninth Duke of Bedford, commissioned landscape gardener Joseph Fyfe Meston to 'rearrange and beautify' the space. Meston's redesign swept away the old pine trees and sparse vegetation, replacing them with a more picturesque arrangement of mature London plane trees scattered informally around a central oval lawn. Herbaceous perennials and shrub borders now frame the garden's edges, while a restored summerhouse provides shelter and a focal point for contemplation. The garden itself holds Grade II* listed status, recognising its horticultural and historical importance. Miraculously, while the iron railings of other Bloomsbury squares were requisitioned for scrap metal during the Second World War, Bedford Square's beautiful elliptical railings were preserved, partly due to the defiant pacifism of the twelfth Duke of Bedford and the advocacy of the Georgian Group.Preservation Through Enlightened Stewardship
The remarkable preservation of Bedford Square owes much to the Bedford Estate's long-term management philosophy. Unlike many London properties that were subdivided and sold to individual owners, the Estate maintained unified control, ensuring consistent maintenance and sensitive restoration. The original lease system, where ground rent was set at just £3 per lot for 99-year terms, created stability that allowed the square to weather centuries of social and economic change. In the 1930s, the square faced an existential threat when the British Museum proposed demolishing the entire east side to expand its collections. Only through public outcry, letters to the press, and representations by architects like Erno Goldfinger—who famously denounced the developers as 'ignorant vandals'—was the scheme abandoned. This crisis galvanised the founding of the Georgian Group and heightened awareness of Georgian architecture's cultural value. More recently, Camden Council and the Lottery Fund supported major renovations, recognising the square's significance to London's heritage.A Living Monument to Georgian Ideals
Today, Bedford Square remains a testament to the ideals of order, symmetry, and refined taste that characterised Georgian London. While the square has transitioned from residential to primarily commercial use, with offices now occupying most buildings, it retains its architectural integrity and continues to draw admirers from around the world. The geometric elegance of its facades, the careful proportions of its facades, and the harmonious relationship between built environment and landscaped garden create an atmosphere of quiet sophistication. The square's blue plaques commemorate its many notable residents, serving as reminders of the intellectual and cultural ferment that once animated these addresses. Though the central garden remains private, it opens annually to the public during Open Garden Squares Weekend, typically held in June, allowing visitors to experience the full splendour of this Georgian masterpiece.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Bedford Square & Montague Pl
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Hasdan
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1 Soho Place
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Goodge St
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Denmark St
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Plaque: Tin Pan Alley & La Giaconda cafe
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Soho Square Gardens
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#O hello sunshine Public Art Sculpture
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covent Garden ,
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Middlesex House
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190 High Holborn
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1 Queen Square
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Sicilian Avenue
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Historic Seven Dials
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Unmissable attractions to see
The British Museum
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Dominion Theatre
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Priscilla The Party
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Torrington Square
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Pollocks Toy Museum
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12 Bar Club
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St George's Church, Bloomsbury.
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The Shaftesbury Theatre
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Historic and innovative West End theatre offering exceptional musicals and performances in a landmark steel-framed venue.
St Giles in the Fields
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Soho Square
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The Cocktail Club - Cocktail Bar in Fitzrovia
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Victorian Penny Chute
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Self-Guided London Beatles Tour
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The Phoenix Garden
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Russell Sq
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Experience the historic charm and tranquility of Russell Square, a serene garden oasis in the heart of London, surrounded by culture and elegance.
Essential places to dine
The Ninth
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Noble Rot Soho
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Sussex Bar & Restaurant
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Quo Vadis
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Inamo
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La Bodega Negra Restaurant
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Hoppers Soho
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Experience authentic Sri Lankan cuisine at Hoppers Soho – from hoppers to kottu roti, savor vibrant flavors in a lively setting.
Circus
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Flesh & Buns Covent Garden
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Blanchette
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Hawksmoor Seven Dials
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Gauthier Soho
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Social Eating House
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Margot
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Inamo Covent Garden
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Fancy That of London
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Oxford Street Gift Shop
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Radha's Boutique
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Souvenir Shop
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Goldsmith Vintage
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Forbidden Planet London Megastore
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Blackout II - Vintage Clothing London
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Pop Boutique
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Good
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Cool Britannia Oxford Street
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House of secrets
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Urban Outfitters
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Rokit Covent Garden
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Pop Up 38
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Brandy Melville - Covent Garden
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
The Coral Room
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The Black Horse - Pub & Cocktail Bar
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Punch Room
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Fitz's Russell Sq.
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The Little Scarlet Door
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Thirst Bar Soho
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Simmons Bar | Soho
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Henson's Bar and Social
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Swift Soho
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NQ64 Soho
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Bar Termini
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The Escapologist Bar
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The Black Book
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Basement Sate
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Prelude by Oriole
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Romantic
- Scenic
- Tranquil
- Unique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Minimalist Designs
- Vintage Styles
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Parks & Gardens
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Protected Area
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Myth & Legends
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
