Established in the 17th century, Bloomsbury Square is one of the oldest London squares
Bloomsbury Square was laid out by the Earl of Southampton, the Lord Treasurer, after the example of Covent Garden and with Lincoln's Inn Fields under a Royal Licence granted in the 164o's.
Originally called Southampton Square, it was renamed Bloomsbury Square after the Earl's daughter Rachel married into the Russell family (the Dukes of Bedford) in 1669.
Surrounded by Georgian architecture, the square has evolved over time, mirroring the changing face of London's society, from a haven for nobility to a hub for intellectuals.
