Fantastic Tales of Bloomsbury (4K)

This London walking tour takes us around the fabulous squares of Bloomsbury with its fantastic tales. Thanks to my supporters on Patreon / johnrogers
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Our walk starts with the incredible story of Oliver Cromwell's body being kept in the cellar of The Red Lion pub in Holborn in 1661 and its possible secret burial. Then in Red Lion Square, we investigate the story that the square is haunted by three ghostly cloaked figures. There's also Conway Hall and the house inhabited by members of the pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
We move on to Queen Square with the Italian Hospital, Mary Ward Centre, Queen Charlotte, The Queen's Larder and the Devil's Dyke. Our Bloomsbury walk passes the Horse Hospital into Russell Square, once the site of a Parliamentarian fortification during the English Civil War. Next we walk along Bedford Way to Gordon Square which is heavily associated with the Bloomsbury Set (Virginia Woolf etc.). The walk ends with a spooky story in Woburn Square.
Music:
Endurance - Aerian
Lamna - Lo Mimieux
Utakata - Sayuri Hayashi Egnell
from Epidemic Sounds
Maps:
Open Street Map “© OpenStreetMap contributors” using data available under the Open Database Licence
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Shot in 4K on a Olympus OM-D EM-1 mark 2 with audio recorded with a Rode Wireless GO
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[@user-oc8dl2dz3t]

I MOVED HERE 22 YEARS AGO, I swear I am learning today of history of my area

[@LONDONIA2072]

‘Let’s go and look for the head of Oliver Cromwell’. What a phrase. Thanks John. One of my absolute favorite London areas.

[@thfccfht]

Russell Square, one of my favourites...would sit there on the grass among those Grande London Planes and down between three to four tins of London's finest, before moving on to another Square, soak in the beers and the History....Love London Love Life.

[@4justo740]

6:24 John Harrison and his invention were the subject of the book 'Longitude', later turned into a Channel 4 mini-series in 2000 with Michael Gambon in the lead role as Harrison. It dramatises the long development of his invention and the struggle for recognition of the effectiveness of the chronometer which was invented to try to solve the problem of finding out the longitude whilst at sea.

[@AnthonyKelly-uz3jk]

I'm from Waterford City (the oldest city in Ireland) and the more I visit London, the more I'm falling in love with your amazing city. I stumbled across your channel looking for a history of London. What a treasure trove! I love your videos - so interesting, so relaxing! We in Waterford have our own history with Cromwell, as you can imagine. The phrase, "By Hook or by Crooke!" comes from Cromwell himself, insisting that he would take the City of Waterford "By Hook" (Hook Head - on one side of the Waterford Estuary) or "By Crooke" (An old Knights Templar hamlet on the other side of the estuary.) Thank you John - really appreciate your wonderful work!

[@nsn73]

Very interesting to learn the meaning behind the phrase, thanks!

[@ianharris2578]

Ah my old stomping ground! I worked at 90 High Holborn for 8 very happy years. I ate many lunches (and assembled for quite a few fire drills) in Red Lion Square, oblivious to who was buried underneath! Thanks for the reminder John!

[@markriley4665]

My ‘ home’ turf as a student at Central School of Art in the 80s. What a joy to return there with you John

[@JohnRogersWalks]

glad I could take you back there Mark

[@fleurg1]

I did my history of art degree at UCL and SOAS in the 80s and so spent much time wandering around this area and loved all the squares and the interesting buildings. Great memories of that time. Thanks John for another wonderful video

[@ianmaddams9577]

The squares are a welcome oasis in a bustling city full of history and legend. Lovely walk as always John 👍🏻

[@JohnRogersWalks]

cheers Ian

[@acmehorse]

Whenever I visit London, I stay in Bloomsbury. Beautiful area. Thank you, John.

[@danieladams9950]

Love the serenity of Russell Square, compared to the nearby bustle of the Euston Road.

[@danieladams9950]

Russell Park is beautiful, classless, non judgemental. My favourite location in central London.

[@danieladams9950]

Russell Square...

[@marty9011]

No matter where you take us in London, it's always fascinating. Thanks.

[@paularobinson5031]

From new zealand but my fiancé and i lived in holborn for 3 yrs in 1994-1997. Lived and worked at Calthorpe Arms on grays inn road. Amazing experience. Great memories

[@lizstevenson7801]

Thank you John, this video was just crammed with interesting history. I lived in Bourne Estate Holbourne from 1961 my Dad still lived there until he died in 1992. All these Squares were ways of walking home in the 60's for me from various directions. You mentioned you lived in Barnsbury Estate, I watched them knock down the old houses of which some were beautiful old Georgeon houses plus some derelict ones. Then start to finish building the Barnsbury Estate. I moved to Holborn from Malvern Terrace in 1961. There is so much history in these squares that never gets told. Thank you for the memories. 💕🇦🇺

[@BarryAllenMagic]

Absolutely fascinating video John - quite superb. As a Magician, Conway Hall takes me back to being a young lad in the late 1970's/early 80's. It was both the venue/clubhouse of the London Society of Magicians (LSM) - and I've seen many a superb act tread those hallowed boards.

[@JTTW1455]

Thank you John for the lovely walk through the Bloomsbury squares!

[@GeorgeChoy]

never realized a short walk can be so interesting, thanks John

[@AliBees]

All of your videos are fascinating and I’m an avid fan. I’m drawn the most to the central London walks, where history meets the modern day. Just has a lovely feel to it. And I do like a ghost story. With the autumnal feel, makes the atmosphere sumptuous. Thank you for another great video John!

[@pauldrozdz7571]

Another fascinating video. The Cromwell story was new to me proving that you're never too old to learn

[@Christina-ge3xr]

Catching up on the videos I missed. This one was lovely. I have read Virginia Woolf and it was nice to see part of the city that influenced her. Thank you 😊

[@simonfirth3354]

Fantastic! Min 18.03 was my home in 1994, we were squatting both houses, what a fantastic place to live, we made one room a sauna & used to show movies in the back yard, hired a 35mm projector that had to come with the projectionist to show the silent version of either King Kong or Nosferatu, I ding recall which but we had live music.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Great memories Simon - thanks for sharing

[@Fourleafclover9]

Thanks for sharing our British History i learn so much.👍🏻

[@lydialen6881]

I like Bloomsbury a lot partly because it has a somewhat different vibe to the rest of the area. I also feel it has something of the countryside about it. Great film John and I really enjoyed it.

[@Ineedyoulou]

My area, queen Sq .. Corams fields, lambs conduit st. Lived in Holborn / Bloomsbury from 1973 upto 1996. Best times ever growing up.

[@vjary8142]

I remember going to Procter Street just in front of Red Lion Square to what was City Sounds a record shop that sold 80's soul and jazz records, oh those were the days.

[@paulgraystone4919]

conway hall, blast from the past for me , early 80s.. thanks for all the info.. I used to live just around the corner from where cromwells daughter is buried . .

[@gloverdragon6854]

I live in Bloomsbury/holborn. Truly a beautiful place to live.

[@peterblakey576]

Oh amazing my old haunts. Thanks John again such a wonderful and educational video around Bloomsbury. All the best Pete 👍

[@ashleysgaze]

A terrific, terrific, walk, John! What a journey through the past, the present, and with a glimpse (not entirely encouraging) into the future of central London. It was great! Cheers, Ash

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks very much Ash

[@robbojax2025]

I have been in the Red Lion many many times but I have never been aware of the Oliver Cromwell link. As always something new from you even in areas that I know well.

[@johncollins2557]

Superb. The President Hotel I always consider my London residence! Loved the Joolz Guides reference. I've often mused on the thought of you bumping into Joolz as you are talking to camera, and a fight a la Python's Rival Documentaries sketch ensuing.

[@williamrobinson7435]

Thanks for another great walk John! Russell Square is indeed lovely. More like a little park than a square really. Nice one! 👍🌟

[@maggiesmith3472]

So enjoying watching your fabulous London Walks. You are a great source of London knowledge and impart that knowledge in such an easy manner,it is relaxing to listen. The videos are an ideal accompaniment to me as I sit cosy and warm in my kitchen and sew, on a cold wet Glasgow evening. Thanks Maggie

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Maggie

[@TXMEDRGR]

Thanks for that wonderful walk in a beautiful and historic area. I envy those folks who get to meet you while out walking. Please keep the marvelous videos coming.

[@johntait491]

A great tale of Oliver Cromwell and a shot of John Harrison's abode. Now there's a fascinating story.

[@kohedunn]

Thank you John for these wonderful video's you concoct! I do so enjoy the peaceful narratives and history you bring to life..I must confess, I start to wander in my mind while you speak.. wondering if my Mother, who drove an ambulance during the war, ever trundled along some of these interesting places during her time there...I bought a book about the ladies who drove during this time, it was called 'The forgotten service " My mother was stationed at Weymouth Mews, and I have been there via Google Earth...So little is available about this ambulance service, and all records were destroyed for some reason..However ..Some were found at the back of a set of drawers and guess what ..My mother's name and another of her friend was listed ..This is so rare as to be impossible to find now...When I told my father before he died, he was very interested..I treasure this book .. I only wish I had pestered my mum to take me on a tour of her wartime experiences ..I am not surprised that she never spoke of it ..She did not live in the past as I am apt to do ...Thank you for taking me back in time, I appreciate it more than you will ever know..xxx ...

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thank you so much for sharing that Anne - your Mum performed a great service

[@petergallagher7573]

A great video, how surreal is that for that couple to head back to their hotel to watch one of your videos then bump into you ! Absolutely wonderful.

[@mickymazda1]

Thanks for sharing your knowlege again John. I worked in a photographic studio in Eagle street back in the 70's and had no idea at the time of the history I was walking over every day.

[@williamsdaf]

Wow! what an opening. "Sublime" as a member of the Bloomsbury Set might say.

[@ursulaclarke6066]

Worked round there around 93, my first job in London post Uni. I had no idea about Cromwell, learn and keep learning so much from your videos.

[@Steveoaudioandstuff]

After that teaser on Patreon, I am super keen to watch this. We have stayed in those hotels you featured around Russell Square, and coincidentally watched a couple of your films from there. I stumbled across the Horse Hospital while out getting a coffee one of the mornings. What an intriguing place. Thanks for another magical film John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

hope you enjoyed it Steve

[@alexrose9487]

great video as always john, thank you ...R.I.P. brian catling an amazing artist

[@Justificus]

Great John! It's become a habit of mine, as I walk about Los Angeles, to see it as you might, and fully appreciate the history and sites even more as you most certainly would.

[@MrInfinitefinality]

@14:41 you can see the spigot from the well on the gaslamp. I propose it was a lighted well. it would be interesting to know why it was disabled from its primary purpose ? Free clean water 24-7. Nice ! Thanks John. Brilliant work as always

[@raymondrichards4888]

I thank you for bringing history to life. Please keep up the good work.

[@timchamberlain2290]

Crikey! - I've spent 30+ years working, studying, and even living for a short time in Bloomsbury, and so I know a lot of its history and folklore, but there were quite a few things in this video which I did not know! - How fantastic - It's always great to learn new things about places you think you know well! - I think I remember the Cromwell obelisk, but I had no idea it was connected to him or that he might be buried there! - There are so many stories dotted about this part of London that you could have made a feature-length film about it. Just to add one factoid of my own - on the corner near Russell Square, where you showed the old Turkish Baths sign in the pavement at 18:40, there used to be a Marxist / Anarchist bookshop - the Librairie Internationale - in the 1930s-1950s. I read an interesting blog post about it on 'A London Inheritance', which is a great blog - well worth giving it a google if you've not come across it before.

[@daveaum]

I always enjoy your clips John, but this one was particularly intriguing for me because I have a real fascination for Civil War era history but I had no knowledge of these final dramatic and mysterious moments of Cromwell's journey.. Thank you so much, really interesting!

[@michaelmiller641]

What a wonderful video, John, this is a lovely time of year to be wandering about London, when I worked in london, I enjoyed doing just that in early autumn!

[@john80c]

Great video John. Wonder if ground penetrating radar i Red Lion Square would find Oliver Cromwell's body.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

It’d be interesting to see what they find

[@highpath4776]

@@JohnRogersWalks Probably more of the Cold War Phone Exchanges ? !

[@deehampton8331]

I read somewhere that Crom's daughter, Elizabeth, stole his head at some point and kept it in a special bag of waxed canvas. I expect it kept for quite a while as it would have been boiled after his humiliating 'second death'.

[@212MPH]

Red Lion Square was mostly Cable and Wireless buildings when I worked for them decades ago.

[@ninamartin1084]

Yes me too!

[@user-cm7kt9xp8k]

Really like your videos. I have been inspired to do many of your walks.

[@gc9017]

Lovely part of town Red Lion Square worked on a building right on it about 12 years ago but confess I didn’t know the Cromwell history, used to go to Becks cafe a great little place and the butchers McKanna,s, must revisit thanks for another great video 👍🏻

[@rackhuff928]

We have a wonderful pub here in Indianapolis named Red lion grog house! Pays an ode to history

[@TheLandOfJonny]

I lived in Bloomsbury for 10 years on Marchmont Street and even though I don't live in London now it's still the place I go to get a hotel and feel at home. I wonder if the Devil Conduit also had something to do with the source of waters ar the Turkish baths at the Imperial Hotel.. I'll have to look in one of my books on the area. The history of the Imperial Hotel is quite fascinating as it was intended to be built in three phases, only two got built, much grander than Hotel Russell, and then it was demolished, the plan for the third final wing forgotten.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Aah I forgot to mention Hotel Russell! Thanks for those notes on the Imperial Hotel

[@peterfrench6891]

Thank you once again John for a most informative walk around Bloomsbury.

[@mitchelluk1445]

i find myself researching all the pubs you come across in your videos, and make time to go have a pint in them great video mr rogers till next time

[@ceejay8037]

More magic ! Thank you John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Cee Jay

[@southstandboy]

If you look at the information board about Shelley's Grandfather you see Sir Bysshe (Percy's grandfather) moved away in the 1750s after the square became run down. He built Goring Hall on the outskirts of what is now Worthing, which is about 3 miles from me. Got a surprise when I read that one lunchtime when I was working in the area.

[@rogermcd9918]

Hi John, I'm a little bemused this time, you missed out the Kimpton Fitzroy London Hotel, one of my favourite buildings, the architecture is astonishing. Hope to see you one day on one of your walks, take care

[@pk7969]

John. I’ve adopted an expression you once said in an earlier video, ‘There’s worse things in life than a wet shoe’. I’d definitely buy a mug with that on it, would even stretch to a T shirt!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Ha, yes that’d be great thanks

[@runningforasthma_]

Great to hear Graham Dunning getting a mention, a real legend of the London music scene!

[@morriganwitch]

Was in Bloomsbury on Wednesday xxx

[@JohnRogersWalks]

great place to be Morrigan

[@morriganwitch]

@@JohnRogersWalks at the British museum looking at Goddesses and Daemons xxx fab

[@Slycockney]

Fascinating and thoroughly entertaining. How I miss these parts of London. I eagerly await your next walk, thank you.

[@martinfrancis3285]

Cheers John, always a pleasure.

[@zwerdna35]

Great ramble around a fascinating bit of London where I spent many a happy time...quite a bit involving visits to a mythical magic shop on Southampton row called Alan Alan's Magic Spot a unique place run by a quirky character...

[@Sapphireblue456]

Hi John I studied Ancient and Near Eastern history at UCL and started an MA at the Institute of Archaeology which is on Gordon Square in the early 80s. I then later taught Ancient Egyptian history at the Mary Ward centre ...in the early 90s ...it's an Adult Education centre for undergraduates under the umbrella of the University of London.

[@highpath4776]

Perhaps one of my favourite areas of London, the Holborn (which is of course fairly vast possibly more than the city in size ! ) being one where Irish Ancestors first came to London in the early part of the C19th

[@CthulhuInc]

and so, i am all caught up! it was a wonderful experience, watching all of your videos so far, and i can only say i look forward to the future walks! thanks very much, once again!

[@bellesam2]

i used to live in Hanwell W7 before i emigrated to Canada in 1967. My best friend who told me to watch your excellent videos lives in Cheam. It would be great to see you walk these parts of London that were once little villages. Keep up the good work John Tony Gibbs now of London Ontario.

[@raphaelandrews3617]

I used to be estate manager for the Council flats in Red Lion street. There was rumors that it haunted but no tenants ever reported seeing ghost or odd events. However the rumors may have been due to part of Red Lion Square was once used a cemetery.

[@barneykennett9282]

As usual John, excellent...👍.

[@richardgiallo9206]

Just ordered your book. Thank you for all the videos they are much appreciated.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Richard

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

The one day I ever had in London, this is where I went. Thanks for the memories.

[@paulhutchins6019]

Fascinating walk John, such rich and varied history there 👍🏼

[@JohnRogersWalks]

It's a great area Paul

[@milobell5525]

That was a great video. I used to spend a lot of time sitting in Red Lion square sitting munching my sarnie whilst waiting for my Girlfriend to get out of her studies over the road. If i'd known all those stories i might have been less bored.

[@spuddy4845]

red lion square was once very famous for watch making, many foreign watchmakers lived in the area in the 18thc, plenty of old watches have red lion sq address on them

[@darryldarwent3676]

I am glad not to be the only person from Calgary to watch your videos. 😊 What an interesting walk. The search for Cromwell's grave coincides with a lot of talk in the press in the Commonwealth whether the ties with the British monarchy needs to be severed. I enjoy your walks because you cover the history of London's region that are not touched by other walkabout presenters. Thank you.

[@margaretnaylor9981]

Fellow Calgarians!

[@michaelsanders6913]

John love your walks around Holborn all my family live around there I live in deal Kent now but it’s Great to watch my manor I grew up in

[@mattcranston9591]

One of my most favourite parts of London. Waiting for the lottery win so I can live there. Lets not forget one of Bloomsbury's famous residents Kenneth Williams and his fathers Barber shop on Marchment Street

[@philliphurley5341]

It is a very nice area. My mum and her mum were born in Bloomsbury.

[@alanmarr3323]

My family owned in1840 most of the property here !

[@angelenoof206]

You’re gonna love Woolf. ‘Room’ is terrific sure but ‘Mrs Dalloway’ will blow your socks off, likewise ‘To the Lighthouse’ and (I have it on good authority still have to get to it) ‘The Waves’

[@angelamatthew1487]

Hello, today I discovered one of your videos on Bloomsbury, I thoroughly enjoyed it . I've been to London a few times but not for longer than a day but I would love to see so many parts of the city 😊

[@geourgiou]

A beautiful part of London, I can remember once I did a walk from the embankment, going through trafalgar Square, Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, through to Warren Street onto Fitzroy Square and onto Camden Town.

[@janetfinn25]

Oh that evoked childhood memories of playing in Russel Square. My mother & father both lived in Herbrand st as children and young adults. My best friend at school lived in those flats over the shops in Red Lion St. As a young adult I lived and worked nearby in Judd St. Oh my. I could go on andon ... Thank you once again.

[@plumduff3303]

Loved this thanks..I regularly walk Euston to via Holborn to Southwark its a fascinating part of town.

[@judithfuhmann7518]

I love watching your videos. You are so very interesting and your stories take my mind off of my problems and help me relax. Thank You, Mr Rogers. I look forward to watching more. 🙂

[@catherinerickard699]

i could watch you for hours… and lucky for me i’m new here, and have lots of videos to binge on…. ❤

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks very much Catherine, glad you’re enjoying the videos

[@markames3688]

Thanks John!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Mark

[@orionfoote2890]

Nice one John - I like that Russell Square....you can imagine top hats and parasols promenading through it back the day.

[@philburdett]

Wonderful stuff as ever, sir!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Phil

[@ginnerthetosser]

A hotel featured "The Imperial" I recall,it was always advertised as 100 shillings on a board outside as it seemed to be cheaper than £5.00

[@TheKriswiccan]

being stuck in Canada, i really enjoy there vids, thanks

[@briancox4339]

Very interesting I love these intriguing stories or indeed facts John your facts amaze me ,Your knowledge is incredible thanks for another brilliant video .

[@c.t.martin3915]

Bloomsbury will always be in my heart forever. Worked there and lived with a girlfriend in my early 20s. Such happy times.

[@TimothyHalkowski]

Beautiful - very fond memories of that area when I was there on university business. Love Russell square! & The Cromwell story.

[@patjackson8649]

Ahhh our ‘home’ in London is the Tavistock Hotel and I so long for this neighbourhood. Thank you for the lovely walk around it

[@yiannapullen6311]

John Harrison's fascinating story is the subject of Dava Sobel's book Longitude.

[@palmer3977]

Cromwell opened up the country that has led to what we have today, if you know, you know.

[@davidjohnson00001]

Hi John, great video for sure. A missing story would have been the Battle of Red Lion Square in 1974. Liberation organised a counter demonstration to oppose the National Front. Sadly, student Kevin Gately died from a blow to the head; it was never proved who inflicted it.